Dr. Mary H. Van Brunt, Ph.D. was named Spring Hill College’s next president by the Board of Trustees. She is expected to take over the position in January 2023.
The announcement was made Oct. 12. Van Brunt will make history as the first female president of Spring Hill College and only the third layperson to lead the college.
Van Brunt said that when she interviewed for the position, Spring Hill College’s mission stood out to her. Van Brunt explained, “It’s a community and everyone does live that mission and really cares about the students, the student experience, and each other. That is just precious and that’s what really helped make my decision very easy, that I wanted to leave Philadelphia and come down here to be the president here.”
Chairman of Spring Hill College’s Board of Trustees, Jack McKinney, said the Board went through an 11-month process until they narrowed the candidate pool down to Van Brunt. “Dr Van Brunt gave us the esprit de corps, energy, drive, vision and personality that people felt most comfortable with, that she could be the leader for Spring Hill College,” said McKinney. “It was really her drive, personality and attitude that she wanted the job very badly and was going to make it work.”
Spring Hill College Provost, Dr. Rebecca Cantor, Ph.D. said she is excited to experience the new level of energy and engagement Van Brunt will bring to the Hill when she begins her presidency.
“She’s going to be out in the community, getting to know people, speaking with donors, understanding our students, and working with our academics,” said Cantor. “I love that she has a back-ground as a provost and comes as a real educator.”
Tyloria Crenshaw, Director of SHC Marketing and Communications, said the Spring Hill community is excited to welcome Van Brunt and to work with her. “Her commitment to Catholic education and that is evident in her experience, that she studied and worked at catholic institutions,” said Crenshaw. “She is an economics professor and she’s an expert in her field. She really has a vested interest in the education of the individual student.”
Van Brunt previously served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Gwynedd Mercy University and as the Founding Dean of the School of Business, Arts and Media at Cabrini University.
For more information on Dr. Van Brunt and the college’s announcement go to SHC New Presidential Announcement. To watch the full video go to Interview with SHC New President.