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Leadership for Saint Mary's Future

The cabinet serves in an advisory role to the president of the university regarding the administration of the university and planning for the future of Saint Mary’s.

At the direction of the president, the cabinet works to execute, monitor, and evaluate the yearly implementation of initiatives of the university’s strategic plan.

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Cabinet Members

The cabinet serves in an advisory role to the president of the university regarding the administration of the university and planning for the future of Saint Mary’s. At the direction of the president, the cabinet works to execute, monitor, and evaluate the yearly implementation of initiatives of the university's strategic plan.

Strategic Plan

  • Andrew Dirksen, M.A.

     

    The chief of staff provides overall support for the operation of the president’s office and serves as a senior advisor to the president on a wide variety of administrative and executive duties, special projects, and initiatives involving the president’s office and its priorities. The chief of staff, together with the support of the President’s Cabinet, executes university-wide projects undertaken by the president, and handles questions, concerns, issues, and requests on the president’s behalf.

  • Max Bonilla, SSL, STD

     

    The provost and dean of faculties provides the academic vision, leadership, direction, and evaluation for all academic activities and faculty affairs of the university. Through the deans of their respective schools, the provost leads the long-range academic planning, budgeting, curriculum, enrollment, and program development for the university. In addition, the provost oversees all related programs, faculty affairs, and academic support functions for the university.

  • Gary Klein, M.A., CFRE

     

    The vice president for Advancement works collaboratively to develop, implement, and achieve strategic plans for increasing philanthropic support for the university; provides leadership and direction for major gifts, corporate and foundation gifts, planned giving, annual giving, donor relations and prospect research.

  • Michael McMahon Ed.D.

     

    The vice president for Enrollment Management is the university’s strategy and policy leader on all matters related to undergraduate, graduate, and online enrollment. The vice president leads the recruitment of an academically strong and diverse student body, and designs and implements enrollment strategies that attract the best students regionally, nationally, and throughout the world.

  • Ann Merchlewitz, J.D.

     

    The senior vice president serves as the university secretary to support the activities of the Board of Trustees by managing the work of the board and serving as the liaison between the board and the university administration. The general counsel oversees, identifies, and resolves legal issues within the university.

  • Fernando Bucaro

     

    The chief financial officer of the university oversees departments accountable for budgeting and finance, buildings and grounds, business office affairs, information technology and geospatial services.

  • Marisa Naryka, Ed.D.

     

    The vice president for Mission and Ministry preserves and offers direct active engagement with the distinctive Catholic and Lasallian identity and mission of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

  • Michelle Rovang, MBC

     

    The vice president for Marketing and Communication supports the strategic priorities and operational goals of the university. Upholding and enhancing Saint Mary’s University’s reputation means telling its distinct story in a clear, consistent, and compelling way that engages and interests its myriad audiences. This is done through collaboration and strong messaging across marketing, communications, and public relations channels, including digital, multimedia, and print mediums.

  • Brother Robert Smith, FSC, Ph.D.

     

    The senior vice president for University Initiatives advises the president on a wide variety of strategic, academic, and mission-related initiatives and special projects involving the university and the president’s priorities.  The individual in this role represents the president internally and externally as needed to boards, foundations, colleges and universities, and other entities with significant university relationships.