March 9, 2015
The Board of Trustees of Ursuline College announced today that Sister Christine De Vinne, O.S.U., Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Notre Dame of Maryland University, has been named the 17th President of the College effective July 1, 2015. Sister Christine will succeed Sister Diana Stano who is retiring in June after serving as President for 18 years. Jack Newman, Chair of the Board and Search Committee stated, "We are extremely pleased and proud that Sister Christine will become the next president of Ursuline College. Her keen intellectual acumen, her strong belief in Catholic women’s education, and her experience as a faculty member, dean and academic vice president make her the ideal person to lead Ursuline College through this most complex time in higher education.”
Sister Christine, a native Clevelander and Ursuline graduate, has nearly 20 years of experience in Catholic higher education for women. She brings an impressive skill set to her new position having served Ursuline College as an English professor, Director of Ursuline Studies, and Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
Sister Christine was named Vice President for Academic Affairs at Notre Dame of Maryland University in 2010, where she honed her administrative skills as the academic leader of Baltimore’s premier Catholic women’s university. Her diverse experience as the chief academic officer at NDMU includes leadership of curricular and faculty development, academic space planning for new and renovated buildings, and imaginative recruitment initiatives. She chairs the Transformative Education Committee as NDMU is developing its new strategic plan.
"It is a great honor to be invited to serve my alma mater as its 17th president,” Sister Christine stated. "A leader in women’s education, the College carries a proud 144-year legacy rooted in the Catholic and Ursuline heritage. I look forward to working with everyone in the campus community as we live our mission, transforming students for service, leadership and professional excellence.” The search committee, comprised of trustees, alumnae, faculty and staff, worked with Hyatt-Fennell, an executive search firm based in Conway, PA. "The group was extremely focused in the pursuit of the highest caliber person to lead Ursuline College,” said Jack Newman. "It became abundantly clear early on in the process that Sister Christine De Vinne was uniquely qualified for this position.” Alumnae, community partners, and friends of Ursuline College will have the opportunity to become better acquainted with Sister Christine at a variety of planned activities to be announced at a later date.
