The Board of Trustees for the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) recently announced its officers for 2025. The following individuals have been renewed in their leadership positions: 

• Chair – Katharine Bogle Shields, of Canterbury, is a former Executive Director of the NH Community Development Finance Authority and a former officer of Providian National Bank.
• Vice Chair – Edwin “Smokey” Smith, of Hinsdale, is a former seven-term state representative, serving as chair for the Committee on Public Works and Highways Committee, and is currently and an independent businessperson in Hinsdale.
• Treasurer – Alison Stebbins, of New Castle, is a retired CPA, a former executive with Fidelity Investments, and former CFO with Coolcore LLC.
• Secretary – Sharon Harris, of Exeter, is an education management consultant and a certified life and career coach at Partnered Success.

“It’s an honor to serve as Chair of an outstanding and dedicated group of trustees, and together to steward and support the incredibly valuable mission of the Community College System of New Hampshire,” said Shields. “We know that thousands of students, as well as their families and communities, benefit from the education they receive from New Hampshire’s community colleges. From hospitals, to manufacturing labs, to businesses of all kinds, our graduates strengthen the state and provide invaluable services to their fellow Granite Staters, and we could not be prouder of all that they achieve.” 

The CCSNH Board of Trustees is designed to be broadly representative of the New Hampshire communities and industry sectors that CCSNH serves. Members are drawn from business and industry, education, healthcare, law enforcement, career and technical education, mechanical trades, technology, CCSNH employees, students and alumni, the community service sector and the public. The 24 voting members of the board are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the NH Executive Council. The Board sets strategic goals for CCSNH and provides oversight at the policy level for the colleges within the System.