The Holy Family University has promoted its provost, Sister Maureen McGarrity, to the president's post, effective July 1, 2014. McGarrity, 68, will succeed Sister Francesca Onley, who has led the school for 32 years.
Dennis J. Colgan, chairman of the board of trustees, said that Sister Maureen has relevant experience in management and higher education, required in a university president.
McGarrity, who has served in various positions in the Catholic University for 37 years, was last appointed as its provost. She was responsible for enrolment management, marketing communications, institutional research, student life, academic affairs and library. McGarrity also served in other prominent positions ranging from associate professor, department chair, division head, dean, vice-president for academic affairs and associate provost for academic services among others.
As the school's fifth president, Sister Maureen hopes to increase endowments and launch more online blended learning formats, accelerated degrees and new Holy Family campuses. She also promises to foster interactions with the campus community, alumni, corporate leaders, and political representatives.
"I am honored to have been chosen to lead this wonderful institution and am eager to promote the university's academic rigor and holistic-learning environment," McGarrity said in a statement. "My experience, combined with my scientific training as a microbiologist, will help me to lead with the agility that combines data-driven analysis with responsiveness to external variables.
McGarrity holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Holy Family, her masters' in biology from Villanova University, and a doctorate in microbiology with a specialty in immunology from St. Louis University. She has been provost for two years.
