New Presidents Institute

Shirley Hoogstra became the seventh president of the CCCU in September 2014. In this role, Hoogstra combines her zeal for the rule of law and her passion for Christian higher education as she promotes the value and purpose of high quality, Christ-centered liberal arts education that shapes students who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind. Prior to the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, Hoogstra served for 15 years as vice president for student life at her alma mater, Calvin University, and spent more than a decade practicing law as a partner at a firm specializing in litigation in New Haven, Connecticut.

Dr. Brad Johnson became president of College of the Ozarks June 1, 2022.

He came to Hard Work U. from Southwest Baptist University, having served as vice president for institutional advancement; he oversaw alumni engagement, fundraising, and the conference center.  Dr. Johnson also served as interim president at SBU.  He held leadership positions at Howard Payne University, Hardin-Simmons University, and McMurry University.

President Johnson is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), licensed professional counselor, licensed to the ministry, and an ordained deacon.

Dr. Johnson is married to Laura Lacey Johnson.  They have two children:  Evan and Elle.

Laura Lacey Johnson loves getting to know students and making her family’s home at College of the Ozarks.

A former radio personality and television news reporter, Laura is a featured author in Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart: Prayers and Devotions for Sleeping Well in a World Full of Worry, published by Proverbs 31 Ministries. She is also a commissioned fellow for the Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

Laura taught Media Writing, Interpersonal Communication, and Fundamentals of Speech Communication at the collegiate level. She grew up along the Texas Gulf Coast and earned degrees from Howard Payne University and Abilene Christian University.

Dr. Chip Pollard has been the president of John Brown University since July 2004. During his time at JBU, the university has been blessed to receive over $290 million in gifts and to grow its endowment from $50 million to over $165 million. JBU has  been named seven years in a row by the Chronicle of Higher Education to its “High Honor Role” in the “Great Colleges To Work For” survey (2015-2021). Dr. Pollard has published two books, “New World Modernisms” (2005) and “May It Always Be True: Educating Students in Faith” (2011).

Dr. Pollard was elected to the board of the CCCU in 2009 and served as chair of the board from 2013-2018 and as immediate past chair until 2022. He was elected to serve on the Council for Independent Colleges board in 2021.

He received his undergraduate degree in English from Wheaton College, a law degree from Harvard Law School, a master’s degree in English from Oxford University, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia.

Carey Pollard has worked part‐time in the Office of the President since 2004. Together they host over 1000 people in their home every year and visit frequently with friends and alumni of the university.

Carey is also actively involved in attending JBU events and mentoring JBU students, in volunteering in the church (primarily serving pre‐school children) and in the community (serving on the board of Manna Center from 2012‐2018). She graduated from Wheaton College in 1985 with a degree in Art. Chip and Carey have four children. Chad married to Anna, Ben (deceased), Emma married to David, and James married to Annika. They also have six grandchildren. They are members at First Presbyterian Church of Siloam Springs.

Andrew Westmoreland’s career in higher education spans 43 years, including a combined total of 23 years as president of two institutions, Samford University in Alabama and Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas. His degrees are in political science and higher education. Westmoreland served as chair of the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and in 2022 he received the Eileen Tosney Award for Career Leadership in Higher Education, the AAUA’s highest individual recognition. Jeanna, his wife of 42 years, is also a career educator, having served as Chair of the Arkansas State Board of Education.