Ruth Lown Turman elected as Excelsior University Alumni Leadership Council president

The South Carolina resident will serve a two-year term representing the University in alumni engagement and outreach.

by | January 7th, 2026

Alumni Leadership Council president Ruth Lown Turman

Excelsior University Alumni Leadership Council president Ruth Lown Turman

ALBANY, N.Y. — Excelsior University today announced the election of Ruth Lown Turman to the position of Alumni Leadership Council (ALC) president. In her leadership role with the 12-member council, Turman will help guide initiatives in alumni engagement and outreach, strengthen the network of more than 200,000 Excelsior graduates, and act as an official representative of the University over the course of her term.  

Turman, B.S. ’96, of Columbia, South Carolina, currently serves as senior sales operations manager at Optum Serve (UnitedHealth Group). Her experience spans health care, technology, and financial services, with a focus on proposal management, process design, and cross-functional leadership supporting complex federal and commercial programs. An active and engaged alumna, Turman previously served in roles on the Alumni Leadership Council as secretary and first vice president, contributing to initiatives focused on alumni engagement, recognition, governance effectiveness, and the development of enduring alumni legacies. As ALC president, she will emphasize stewardship of alumni resources, operationalizing effective alumni leadership practices, and strengthening connections between alumni leaders and the University community. Turman holds a Bachelor of Science from Excelsior University and maintains a strong record of professional and volunteer leadership. Her service includes past membership on the International Board of Directors of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals, reflecting a sustained commitment to mentorship, professional standards, and collaborative leadership. 

“It’s an honor to serve with such an experienced and passionate Alumni Leadership Council at this moment of tremendous momentum for Excelsior,” said Turman. “My own journey has been profoundly shaped by this community, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support, celebrate, and elevate our extraordinary alumni, whose determination and commitment to lifelong learning continue to lift us ever upward.” 

Turman is joined on the ALC leadership team by Christopher Alan Hirschler, first vice president, and Christopher Martz Arima, second vice president. The council membership also includes Sena Amegbletor, Matthew Baumgartner, Annie L. Hough-Everage, Pamela Monk, Morgan CJ Morgan, Douglas Perry, Tony Spearman-Leach, and Samuel T. Watkins Jr. Made up of Excelsior graduates representing a wide range of professions and backgrounds, the ALC reflects the diverse nature of Excelsior’s alumni population.  

Find more information on the ALC, including individual member biographies, here. 

Media contact Excelsior University:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446 

About Excelsior University 

Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit higher education institution focused on helping learners complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971 in Albany, New York, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.    

Excelsior is a not-for-profit university with a main campus in Albany, New York, and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. Excelsior University’s academic programs are registered by the New York State Education Department, with additional licensing for Florida-based programs.   

Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License No. 12928). Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free number: (888)-224-6684.