Anna Maria College announces next president

PAXTON - Sean J. Ryan, most recently from Bellarmine University in Kentucky, is to become the 12th president of Anna Maria College, the institution announced March 6. Mr. Ryan is to succeed current president, Mary Lou Retelle, who announced her retirement last July and has led the college since 2015.

Mr. Ryan’s appointment, effective July 1, comes after a unanimous vote from the Anna Maria Board of Trustees, the college said in a press release.  

Mr. Ryan is currently the senior vice president of Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky where he directs administration, strategic initiatives and trustee affairs. He has worked there since 2007 and has held other positions such as vice president for enrollment management and dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

"Dr. Ryan's impressive track record in leadership, commitment to Catholic higher education, and proven success in enrollment growth and financial management make him exceptionally qualified to lead Anna Maria College into its next chapter,” said David P. Trainor, chair of the Board of Trustees.

“The Board approached this search with great care and dedication, confident that this decision will have a positive and lasting impact on Anna Maria College. Dr. Ryan’s passion for our mission and ability to articulate our values while honoring the College's rich tradition founded by the Sisters of Saint Anne perfectly aligns with our vision for the future."

During his time at Bellarmine, Mr. Ryan led the university through a National Collegiate Athletic Association reclassification from Division II to Division I, co-chaired an 18-month strategic planning process and collaborated with academic leadership to create 23 new academic programs, the press release stated.

In his current role, he oversees human resources, athletics, the Center for Academic and Support Services for Student Athletes, university communications, and Information Technology. He recently served as interim vice president for development and alumni relations where he led efforts that raised $7 million in seven months and separate from that role, raised nearly $6 million for academic programs, student scholarships, and student success initiatives.
 
"I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next president of Anna Maria College," said Mr. Ryan. "Anna Maria’s mission to educate students to become ethical leaders and community-oriented professionals resonates profoundly with me as an individual and my passion for higher education. I look forward to returning to Massachusetts to work alongside the talented faculty, staff, and students and build upon the strong foundation established by President Retelle. Together with the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, administration, and the Anna Maria community, we will chart an ambitious path forward that propels the College to new levels of academic excellence and distinction."

His Catholic education, from kindergarten through his master's degree, instilled a deep appreciation for Catholic identity and values, the press release stated.  

Mr. Ryan holds a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania and has taught undergraduate and doctoral students at Bellarmine. He holds an undergraduate degree from St. Anselm College and a graduate degree from Regis College.

"Dr. Ryan's collaborative leadership style, fundraising expertise, and commitment to shared governance will serve our community exceptionally well as we write the next chapter in Anna Maria's distinguished history,” said Kimberly A. Kennedy, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees.

“Throughout the search process, we were impressed by his ability to balance strategic innovation with respect for tradition, his success in developing new academic programs while honoring the institution’s mission, and his genuine enthusiasm for engaging with all members of the college community.”

A campus announcement event will be held in the coming weeks, the college said.

Founded in 1946, Anna Maria College is a private, co-educational institution inspired by the ideals of the Sisters of St. Anne.