New President at Maryville
2/26/07
Maryville University Chair of the Board of Trustees Peter F. Benoist announced this morning the election of Mark O. Lombardi, Ph.D. as the 10th President of Maryville University. Lombardi will assume his new role on July 1, 2007.
“I am deeply honored to be elected by the Trustees with the support of the campus community,” said Lombardi, currently the president at the College of Santa Fe. “Maryville is one of the finest universities in the Midwest with an excellent reputation for outstanding programs that serve the greater St. Louis community and beyond. I am committed to leading Maryville in its quest to enhance academic programs, expand community outreach, and raise friends and funds that will achieve Maryville’s ambitious strategic initiatives.”
By selecting Lombardi, 46, Benoist cited his proven leadership at the College of Santa Fe (CSF), initially as Provost and Chief Academic Officer (2001-2005) and as President and Chief Executive Officer since 2005. During his tenure at CSF, Lombardi developed strong academic programs, raised significant funds, and developed a strategic plan that strengthened the College. Maryville University currently is in the midst of developing its next five-year strategic plan.
In his roles at CSF, Lombardi was responsible for raising $14.7 million during his first 18 months as president. The College of Santa Fe also experienced significant upgrades to its physical plant, information technology infrastructure, while increasing first year enrollment by 12 percent in his first year as president. His fundraising initiatives netted $7 million for its visual arts program, $1.5 million for an endowed chair in Art History, $5 million toward the building of a campus commons, and $1.2 million for additional projects.
Prior to his work at The College of Santa Fe, Lombardi was the director of international programs at the University of Tampa (1998-2001), chair of the Department of Government, History and Sociology at Tampa (1996-2001) and executive director of the United States-Africa Education Foundation (1998-2001).
Lombardi also is a noted author, publishing eight publications, including Global Issue in the Twenty-First Century, The Unfolding Legacy of 9/11, and Perspectives on Third World Sovereignty: The Post-Modern Paradox.
Lombardi earned a Ph.D. and master’s degree in political science and international relations from The Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Purdue University. He and his wife, Liza, have three children.
Maryville University is a private institution offering approximately 50 undergraduate, seven master’s and two doctoral degree programs to 3,300 students. Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s Best Colleges, Maryville University prepares its students for successful and meaningful careers. Among Maryville’s most recent graduates, 94 percent are employed or attending graduate school.