Southern New Hampshire University’s president, Lisa Marsh Ryerson, discussed how SNHU handled a longer-than-typical transition after the board selected her as Paul LeBlanc’s successor. Ryerson, formerly SNHU provost and a prior trustee, took the lead role in July 2024 and said the six-month overlap supported alignment with students, faculty, and staff before implementation. Ryerson’s account emphasizes listening and continuity during leadership transitions in online-focused operations—an area where institutions often manage systemwide change while protecting student experience. She also framed the changeover period as time to clarify decision-making roles and priorities. For higher education leaders managing similar president transitions, the interview offers a concrete example of using extended onboarding to reduce operational churn and to establish credibility with internal stakeholders before major strategic initiatives. The story also reinforces that board selection timelines and internal governance expectations shape how campuses experience leadership change, not just who gets appointed.