Dominican University announces new president

MARIN COUNTY - Dominican University of California announced that Dr. Mary Marcy will succeed Dr. Joseph Fink as president of the University effective July 1.

“I am honored to lead Dominican and become part of the rich legacy of the Dominican culture and community,” said Dr. Marcy. “There are many factors that drew me to Dominican, in particular that it offers the personal engagement of a small institution while providing a rich array of options and opportunities inherent in a large university. It is both global and local, having programs across the world while engaging actively with Marin County and the broader Bay Area.”

Previously, Dr. Marcy was chief operating office, vice president and provost of  Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Massachusetts. She will be the ninth president of Dominican since the school opened its doors 121-years ago.

“Dominican University is at a pivotal point in its history,” said Andrew Barowsky, chair of the presidential search committee and vice chair of the board of trustees. “We have built a unique position as a comprehensive university with a grounding in the liberal arts and a strong array of professional programs. In Dr. Marcy, we have identified a strong leader who can build on our strengths and take the university to a new level.”

Mr. Barowsky said the 12-person committee selected Dr. Marcy because she has a proven track record in the areas of development that are critical to Dominican’s continued momentum and future success.

"We will define future success [at Dominican] as more than simply growth," said Dr. Marcy. "Success will mean holding steadfast to the values of study, reflection, community and service while tapping the creativity of our people to amplify our position as an educational environment of vision and excellence.”

Dr. Marcy is a political scientist with a doctorate of philosophy and master's of philosophy from the University of Oxford. She conducts ongoing research on women in American politics, and has also published extensively on issues of diversity, leadership and strategy in higher education. She was born and raised in western Nebraska, and received her bachelor of arts with honors from the University of Nebraska.

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