Post by dex on Jun 9, 2014 10:36:26 GMT -5
For Immediate Release: June 9, 2014
Providence College Corporation Offers New Five-Year Term to President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P.
Providence, R.I. - The Providence College Corporation (PCC) announced today that they have offered a new five-year term to Providence College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. beginning July 1, 2015. President Shanley’s current term is set to expire on June 30, 2015.
This would be President Shanley’s third five-year term. He began as President at Providence College on July 1, 2005.
“The Providence College Corporation is proud to offer this new five-year term to Fr. Shanley,” said the Very Rev. Brian M. Mulcahy, O.P., Prior Provincial, Eastern Province of St. Joseph, and Chair of the Corporation. “The hallmark of his leadership has been stability, prominence and progress despite an unsettled and challenging climate for private higher education in America. The College is performing well in virtually every area as we move toward the celebration of its centennial in 2017. We are pleased that he will continue to be at the helm,” Fr. Mulcahy said.
“Fr. Shanley’s vision for Providence College has been outstanding,” said Providence College Board of Trustees Chair John Killian. “He was the driving force behind our terrific, new Ruane Center for the Humanities as well as AACSB accreditation for our School of Business. He also had the keen sense to help us navigate through a very turbulent period in college athletics, and was instrumental in both the design and formation of the new BIG EAST CONFERENCE. I know I speak for the entire Board of Trustees in congratulating him on this new term,” Killian said.
“I am both appreciative and humbled by the Corporation’s and the Trustees’ continued faith and confidence,” said Fr. Shanley. “It is truly a privilege to lead this great institution. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to do so and for the many blessings He has bestowed on me during my tenure as president. There is always room for growth and improvement, but I believe Providence College is making clear, strong and aggressive strides in the right direction, and that we are poised for continued success,” Fr. Shanley said.
Among his accomplishments during his tenure as president, Fr. Shanley:
Established the College’s first Vice President for Mission & Ministry to help Providence College reaffirm its Catholic and Dominican roots/mission. He has now grown that effort to include global outreach efforts grounded in the Dominican tradition.
Oversaw first the development and then the implementation of the College’s five-year (2011-2015) Strategic Plan.
Oversaw the development of PC’s new Core Curriculum which the College began implementing in September 2012.
Established the Providence College School of Business (2007) and positioned the School to seek accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The multi-year effort to gain accreditation was completed with the College receiving full AACSB accreditation in July 2012.
Was instrumental in the design and formation of the new BIG EAST CONFERENCE.
Initiated a four-year pilot program to make SAT scores optional for prospective students wishing to apply to Providence College. The success of that pilot program led to its adoption as permanent policy at the College.
Made Diversity a high priority of his administration including making the advancement of diversity one of the five core values of the College’s Strategic Plan, hiring the College’s first-ever Chief Diversity Officer, investing in additional financial aid for first-generation students, and working to diversify the student body, faculty and staff of the College.
Initiated a focused capital development plan to update and renovate existing facilities, construct new facilities and improve the overall appeal of the campus. Within the past year, the College completed construction of the Ruane Center for the Humanities, the renovation of Schneider Arena and the construction of the Ray Treacy Track & Field.
Established the Angel Fund to help students most in-need of financial aid matriculate to Providence College.
Has led a number of initiatives to connect Providence College with the Elmhurst and Smith Hill communities including the recent grant of $750,000 by the College to the Smith Hill Community Development Corporation in support of the CDC’s mission of providing safe, affordable housing in the community.
Initiated a focused investment in the Sciences with a $4.2 million renovation of the College’s science labs in 2007 to enhance opportunities for collaborative faculty-student research in biology, chemistry, biochemistry and engineering/physics systems.