2025 Power 100: Donna Hodge

Photo | Courtesy of Fitchburg State University Donna Hodge, president of Fitchburg State University

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By Laura Finaldi

Donna Hodge Title President Entity Fitchburg State University, in Fitchburg Employees 1,166 Residence Fitchburg Colleges Texas Woman’s University Denton, Texas A&M University Texarkana Read all the 2025 Power 100 profiles here
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Growing up, going to college was not a given for Hodge. But after two decades working in higher education, the relatively new president of Fitchburg State said she knows even kids considered not college-ready by the system can thrive if given the right support. She’s seen students who lack credentials on paper go on to graduate at the top of their class. This serves as a reminder, she said, institutions have the power to transform lives.

Hodge is the first female president of the university, a public regional institution with 6,000 full- and part-time students across 30 undergraduate and 22 graduate programs. Fitchburg State is a primary economic and workforce driver in the North Central region, becoming a key partner in the revitalization of downtown Fitchburg. As an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution, the university is expanding access to higher education for first-generation and underserved students.

Fitchburg State has a strong connection to the military community. More than 130 students at the school are affiliated with the military, including veterans and active service members. To serve the community, the college created a director of military and veterans services position to advocate and support its students with military connections.

Laura Finaldi is a former WBJ reporter and current freelance writer.