Barbara Gellman-Danley assumed the presidency of the Higher Learning Commission on July 7, 2014. Prior to joining HLC, Dr. Gellman-Danley was the president of University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College from 2009-2014. She has also served as a vice chancellor at the Ohio Board of Regents, president at Antioch University McGregor, vice president at Monroe Community College, and vice chancellor at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Gellman-Danley has held several board and commission memberships in her career, including the Credential Engine, the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Council of Presidents, the American Council on Education (ACE) Commission on Education and Attainment, the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) board and the ETS National Community College Council. In April 2019, Gellman-Danley was awarded Honorary Membership in Phi Theta Kappa due to her lifelong commitment to students. This recognition had been given less than 40 times in 100 years.