A wave of presidential appointments and interim placements hit higher education this winter, with institutions from public regional universities to elite private colleges announcing leadership changes. The personnel moves include new permanent appointments and interim installs; several hires began their tenures amid scrutiny over search processes and trustee dynamics. Notable announcements included multiple presidential picks across state and private systems and a controversial hire at a major public research university that started with a trust deficit among faculty and alumni. Governance experts caution boards to reinforce transparent search practices, robust conflict‑of‑interest policies, and thorough stakeholder engagement to head off bruising transitions. Presidents and trustees should prioritize rapid relationship‑building with faculty governance bodies, clarify decision‑making authority, and publish clear transition timelines. The flurry of hires raises fresh questions about succession planning and the capacity of boards to support presidencies in a politically charged environment.