After a long search for a new vice president of enrollment management at Utica University, one has been selected. W. Eric Sykes will take the helm from Interim Vice President of Enrollment Management Jessica Nelson on May 1, according to an email sent on March 27 by the Office of the President.According to the email, the national search chaired by Dean Jason Denman poured through several qualified candidates before narrowing their sights on Sykes. The R. H. Perry search firm also contributed to the search.
Sykes has previous administrative experience at other institutions such as Emerson College, Xavier University, and Elmira College. He holds a master’s degree in social and personality psychology with a concentration in psychometrics from Purdue University and a bachelor’s in psychology from Loyola University.
“To land a remarkable thought-leader and practitioner in the enrollment management field such as Eric is a testament to his abilities as well as the opportunities Utica University presents,” said Todd Pfannestiel, president of Utica, in the email announcement. “We all look forward to welcoming Eric and his family to the Utica community in a month.”
LACEY, Wash. – William “Bill” Brownsberger, STD, was unanimously selected as the 12th president of Saint Martin’s University following a competitive nationwide search by the University Board of Trustees. Dr. Brownsberger currently serves as the vice president of academic affairs and workforce solutions at Mountain Empire Community College in Virginia. He will assume the presidency on July 1.
“We look forward to this next chapter for Saint Martin’s with Dr. Brownsberger’s leadership,” said Medrice Coluccio, chair of the University Board of Trustees. “With leadership transition comes a spirit of potentiality and opportunity to reimagine our future while honoring our Catholic Benedictine tradition in service of today’s and tomorrow’s students.”
Dr. Brownsberger brings 23 years of higher education experience to the role, rising through the faculty ranks and into administration at several Catholic institutions in the U.S. and Italy. In his current position at Mountain Empire Community College, he works closely with external community and industry partners to build workforce development pathways for students and the region, manages division finances and engages with students and other stakeholders in the academic affairs of the college. Previously, he served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas, where he led the college’s fundraising revenue generation efforts, faculty workloads and scheduling, and budget management.
“Dr. Brownsberger’s experience at other Catholic colleges and universities will be an asset at Saint Martin’s University as we continue our 128-year tradition of providing a uniquely Catholic Benedictine education,” said Abbot Marion Nguyen, O.S.B., chancellor of Saint Martin’s University. “We welcome Dr. Brownsberger and his family to our academic community and look forward to the next chapter of our university’s future with his leadership and vision.”
The Presidential Search Committee consisted of 15 representatives from the Saint Martin’s community, spanning Saint Martin’s Abbey, faculty, staff, students, Board of Trustees and the Archdiocese of Seattle. Entrusted with the mission of finding a president capable of guiding Saint Martin’s towards greater financial stability and academic distinction, the committee sought individuals with strategic foresight and a commitment to transparent servant leadership. Their objective was to uphold the institution’s compassionate, transformative educational ethos within the framework of the Catholic Benedictine tradition.
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Saint Martin’s University and honored by the trust this community has placed in me as its next president,” shared Dr. Brownsberger. “I look forward to working with the talented faculty, staff, administration, trustees, and monks toward a bright future of service to students in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.”
Dr. Brownsberger will assume the position following an interim leadership transition with Father Kilian Malvey, O.S.B., and Roy Heynderickx, Ph.D., serving as interim co-presidents. Dr. Heynderickx served as university president for 14 years before retiring in 2022. He returned to lead the institution, along with Father Malvey, while the national presidential search was conducted.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank Dr. Roy Heynderickx and Father Kilian Malvey for their steadfast leadership as interim co-presidents,” said Coluccio. “This dynamic pair of leaders has served with dedication and compassion during this transition period.”
Dr. Brownsberger earned his Doctor of Sacred Theology and his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He earned his Master of Arts in Theology from The Catholic University of America and his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Dallas. He is joined by his wife Francesca, and seven children.
