Administration and Faculty

Board of Trustees of the University System of New Hampshire

The University System of New Hampshire is governed by a Board of Trustees comprising the Governor of the State, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, members appointed by the Governor and Executive Council, alumni-elected members, student-elected members, the Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner of Agriculture, the presidents of the University System's colleges and universities, and the Chancellor. The Chancellor is the chief executive officer of the University System. The Board composition is stipulated by State law and is detailed in the USNH Charter, section 187- A: 13.

Committee Membership 2025-2026
The Board accomplishes its work through standing committees, Board-designated committees, and special subcommittees. For information regarding each committee's purpose and mission, please see the Committee Charges page.

Executive Committee
Michael J. Pilot, Chair
Kassandra Spanos Ardinger, Vice Chair
Kevin Knarr, Secretary
James P. Burnett III
Patrick W. Griffin
Peter T. Paul
Gregg R. Tewksbury

Governance Committee
Kassandra Spanos Ardinger, Chair
Christiana Thornton, Vice Chair
Maureen A. Beauregard
James P. Burnett III
Brendan M. Finn
Patrick W. Griffin

Financial Affairs Committee
Gregg R. Tewksbury, Chair
Kevin Knarr, Vice Chair
Kassandra Spanos Ardinger
Maureen A. Beauregard
James P. Burnett III
George S. Hansel
Brian S. McCabe
Peter T. Paul

Audit Committee
Peter T. Paul, Chair
David Westover, Vice Chair
Joel Nkounkou
Jennifer Higgins Pitre
The Governor (by statute)

Educational Excellence Committee
Patrick W. Griffin, Chair
Wayne P. Semprini, Vice Chair
Matthew Ash (KSC)
Caitlin D. Davis
Ethan Dupuis (PSU)
Tim Hoheneder (UNH)
Shawn N. Jasper
Jennifer Higgins Pitre
Christiana Thornton
David A. Westover
Ludmilla Cejka
    Rep. to the committee from (USSB/PSU)
Delaney G. Cote
    Rep. to the committee from (USSB/UNH-CPS)
Luca Fortin
    Rep. to the committee from (USSB/Undergrad)
Jessica E. O'Brien
    Rep. to the committee from (USSB/UNH-Law)
Vacant
    Rep. to the committee from (USSB/KSC)

Investments and Capital Planning Committee
Kevin Knarr, Chair
Wayne P. Semprini, Vice Chair
George S. Hansel
Shawn N. Jasper
Brian S. McCabe
The Governor (by statute)
USNH Treasurer (by statute)

Nomination Committee
James P. Burnett III, Chair
Maureen Beauregard
Gregg R. Tewksbury
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Special Committees and/or Task Forces
Executive Compensation & Performance Review Committee
Michael J. Pilot, Chair
Kassandra Spanos Ardinger, Vice Chair
Kevin Knarr, Secretary

USSB Liaison
David A. Westover
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Appointments to Affiliated Boards
UNH Foundation
Kevin Knarr