SJU Names Transitional President

(KNSI) – Saint John’s University has named a transitional president.

The Board of Trustees says Dr. James Mullen Jr. will take over the university starting on June 1st. His tenure as transitional president is intended to extend through June 30, 2022.

The announcement was made today to the campus community by Dan McKeown ’85, chair of the Board of Trustees.

“He’s an experienced president, and he’s got a great track record in higher education. We are pleased to have Jim’s leadership and guidance to help us with this unique transitional year,” McKeown said. “He mentors other leaders in higher education. He’s a good match for Saint John’s and for this unique moment in time.”

At Saint John’s University, Dr. Mullen will work closely with College of Saint Benedict Interim President Laurie Hamen to help move the schools toward strong integration with a single leadership and governance model, pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission.

The Boards of Trustees of Saint John’s and Saint Benedict plan to lead a search for the first joint president of the two institutions later this fall, pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission.

Dr. Mullen plans to be on campus in early May to work with President McAllister, President Hamen, and the campus community during a transition period.

Dr. Mullen’s career in higher education includes president of Allegheny College in Pennsylvania (2008-19), president in residence at Harvard Graduate School of Education (2019), past chair of the board of the American Council on Education, and current chair of the board of Project Pericles

Dr. Mullen earned his doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, his master’s in public policy from Harvard, and his bachelor’s in history magna cum laude from the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts.

Dr. Mullen follows Dr. Eugene McAllister, who has served as interim president for the past two years.

President McAllister will be returning to his family in Montana.

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