Ann McElaney-Johnson Named New President of Mount St. Mary's College

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Mount St. Mary's College Board of Trustees has selected Ann McElaney-Johnson, vice president for academic and student affairs at Salem College in Winston-Salem, N.C., as the 12th president in the College's 86-year history. McElaney-Johnson was selected after an extensive nationwide search, and will assume leadership of the College on July 1, 2011.

McElaney-Johnson brings 23 years of service to small, residential liberal arts colleges, as a faculty member, associate dean and chief academic officer to her new role as president of Mount St. Mary's College. She is passionate about the importance of women's colleges, and a strong advocate for women's education and leadership issues. She is a champion of interdisciplinary teaching and learning, and looks forward to leading a Catholic institution of higher education.

"This is a historic time in the life of our College, and Dr. McElaney-Johnson will carry forward with energy and vision the mission of Mount St. Mary's College," said Michael A. Enright, chair of the College's Board of Trustees.

"The Presidential Search Committee was impressed by the depth of Dr. McElaney-Johnson's experience and commitment to the education of women in an environment that develops leadership skills and a spirit of service to others," said Judith McDonald, chair of the search committee and a member of the Board of Trustees.

Since 1998, McElaney-Johnson has served in a variety of leadership positions at Salem College, founded in the 18th century as the oldest continually-operating institution for women in the United States. Prior to that, she served at Ripon College, Wis. She earned her Ph.D. in French from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and holds degrees from Middlebury College, Vt., and College of the Holy Cross, Mass.

"I am inspired by the mission of Mount St. Mary's College and the possibilities that the College offers to women through a transformational educational experience," said McElaney-Johnson. "I look forward to continuing and enhancing the Mount's focus on a holistic academic program with the highest educational standards, an appreciation for the personal and communal sense of beauty and a call to meaningful service."

In her role as vice president and dean at Salem College, McElaney-Johnson serves on the school's executive team and oversees all aspects of academic affairs, student affairs, College libraries, athletics, registrar, institutional technology, cultural events, and the chaplain's office. She also holds primary responsibility for the assessment of the academic and student affairs program.  

McElaney-Johnson succeeds current MSMC President Jacqueline Powers Doud, who has served the institution for over 20 years, including 11 as president.  Doud joined the College in 1991 as academic vice president and dean of the faculty, and professor of education. In 1999, Doud was named College provost, prior to becoming president in July 2000. She was the first lay president of Mount St. Mary's, which was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

Retiring president Jacqueline Powers Doud enthusiastically welcomes her successor as a leader of high energy, extraordinary integrity and great promise for the future of Mount St. Mary's College.

For a photo and complete biography of McElaney-Johnson, visit www.msmc.la.edu/president.

About MSMC

Founded in 1925, Mount St. Mary's College is a Catholic, liberal arts college offering undergraduate education for women, as well as innovative undergraduate and graduate programs for professional men and women on two historic campuses in Los Angeles. The mission of Mount St. Mary's is to provide a superior education enhanced by an emphasis on building leadership skills and fostering a spirit to serve others. For more information go to www.msmc.la.edu or call 310.954.4000.

SOURCE Mount St. Mary's College