Bronwyn Paul has been appointed as head of UCOL in Whanganui.
She will take up the campus manager role in April.
Ms Paul is from Castlecliff and was described as "an experienced manager who has held national and regional roles as well as managing and co-owning a local security business."
A former president of the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce, she has also supported the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme for secondary schools. She has also been chairwoman of the New Zealand Security Association and remains on the board.
Chair of the UCOL selection panel Christine Beech said the standard of applicants for the position was very high, demonstrating a strong level of interest in tertiary education in Whanganui.