The Notre Dame of Maryland University Board of Trustees has chosen Marylou Yam, Ph.D., as the school's 14th President in its 119-year history, effective July 1.
Yam, widely known for her research on domestic violence, currently serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Saint Peter's University. She succeeds James F. Conneely, who stepped down August after about a year and a half on the job. Conneely was the first man to lead Notre Dame as president in the school's history.
Notre Dame Officials said that Yam played an important role in Saint Peter's transition from a college to a university. They also said that she epitomises Notre Dame's mission of preparing leaders to change the world and its active and longstanding commitment to social responsibility.
"Dr. Yam's leadership experience in the development and delivery of leading-edge professional programs rooted in the liberal arts will serve Notre Dame well in the continued expansion of our four Schools-Arts and Sciences, Education, Nursing and Pharmacy. Dr. Yam's track record of innovation will further strengthen our leadership position as a renowned university that prepares fearless and faithful leaders who effect real change in their communities and beyond," Board Chair Patricia J. Mitchell said in a statement.
Yam, 56, said that she is privileged to be chosen to lead an institution that truly follows its mission. She hopes to establish the University on a larger level locally, regionally and nationally.
"Notre Dame is a visionary institution that has never wavered in its commitment to provide superior academic programs that are enriched by the proven value of a Catholic, liberal arts foundation," Yam said.
Yam was a post-doctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins University, studying the impact of domestic violence on women's mental health. She earned a doctorate in nursing science from Adelphi University in Long Island and other nursing degrees from Columbia University and Mercy College.
