About the President

Mark R. Nemec, PhD, President

Ninth Ignatian and First Lay President

On July 1, 2017, Mark R. Nemec, PhD, became the first lay and ninth Ignatian President of �Ӱ�ԭ�� University.

Working with his senior leadership team, constituents across campus, and the University’s alumni and civic communities, President Nemec has positioned �Ӱ�ԭ�� to be a modern, Jesuit Catholic University of national prominence — committed to lifelong learning, holistic formation, and expansive partnership while instantiating academic excellence, fostering comprehensive achievement, and advancing educational access.

Under President Nemec’s leadership, �Ӱ�ԭ�� has renewed its commitment to the nearly 500-year-old traditions of Jesuit pedagogy, with an emphasis on excellence in all things, care for the whole student, and a broad-based liberal arts and sciences foundation. This values-based, student-centric, outcomes-focused approach is dedicated to forming men and women for and with others, in pursuit of societal stewardship and productive citizenship.

At the same time, he has led the University through a course of expansion and innovation designed to meet the challenges of the 21st century, and has expanded the University’s reach to learners of all ages, emphasizing: innovation in teaching methods, embracement of the potential of big data and emerging technologies, the launch of new graduate and professional programs designed to meet the needs of today’s students, and the fostering of industry and community partnerships to strengthen the University’s reputation as a leader in contemporary higher education. Since 2017, �Ӱ�ԭ�� has seen traditional undergraduate enrollment grow from 4,003 to 5,217 while increasing selectivity to 33 percent, ranking it sixth amongst all Catholic universities and colleges, up from 50. In this same period, �Ӱ�ԭ��’s total enrollment has grown from 5,197 to 6,895.

During Dr. Nemec’s tenure, �Ӱ�ԭ�� has also embarked on a series of efforts to serve broader student populations in ever more innovative ways. Inspired by its longstanding relationship with Brooklyn Jesuit Prep and Camp Montmarte, the University has expanded its commitment to educational access through the significant expansion of Academic Immersion, the creation of the Company Scholars program for high-achieving first-generation students from Cristo Rey and Jesuit high schools, and the initiation of Bellarmine campus, a two year associate’s degree program fully supporting students as they bridge to college or career, launched in Bridgeport in conjunction with the Diocese in 2023.

President Nemec also led completion of the largest capital campaign in University history, �Ӱ�ԭ�� Rising, exceeding an original goal of $160 million to raise a total of $218 million to benefit the institution.

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Under Dr. Nemec’s stewardship, the University’s Ignatian commitment to provide access to education to traditionally underserved communities has also expanded. In addition to significantly increasing need-based financial aid, the University’s Company Scholars program offers full funding and enhanced programming to select first-generation, Jesuit high school, and Cristo Rey graduates. And in partnership with the Diocese of Bridgeport, �Ӱ�ԭ�� Bellarmine, located on Bellarmine Campus in Bridgeport, offers traditionally underserved high school graduates a no-cost associate’s degree program and a pathway to a four-year degree.

President Nemec also led the largest capital campaign in University history, exceeding an original goal of $160 million to raise a total of $218 million to benefit the University. The fulfilment of a University master plan to enhance the campus environment under his stewardship has brought new facilities and enhanced technological infrastructure, and has included the completion of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business facility, the School of Engineering and Computing Innovation Annex, the Barnyard Townhouses, and the Leo D. Mahoney Arena, amongst others.

A graduate of Loyola High School, Jesuit College Preparatory in Los Angeles, President Nemec earned a BA in English from Yale, where he was an All-Ivy League rugby player. He received an MA in education and a PhD in political science from the University of Michigan. Early in his career, he taught American politics as a visiting assistant professor at Davidson College, and as an instructor at the University of Michigan.

Prior to joining �Ӱ�ԭ��, Dr. Nemec served as the dean of the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies at the University of Chicago. Before joining the University of Chicago, Dr. Nemec served as president and chief executive officer of Eduventures, a Boston-based information services firm providing research and advice to the higher education community. He previously had been a member of the executive team of Forrester Research, a provider of similar services to the technology industry.

Dr. Nemec is the author of Ivory Towers and Nationalist Minds: Universities, Leadership, and the Development of the American State (University of Michigan Press, 2006), and a contributor to The Educational Legacy of Woodrow Wilson (University of Virginia Press, 2012).

Beyond his research on the role of higher education in American political development, Dr. Nemec has been a frequent speaker on the current and future state of higher education and has presented to a diverse array of audiences including the White House’s Forum on College Affordability, the British Council’s Going Global, the New England Board of Higher Education’s Summit on Cost in Higher Education, and the annual meetings of numerous higher education associations.

Dr. Nemec serves as Chair of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges and Vice Chair of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Council of Presidents. He also serves on the Educational Resources Committee of Loyola High School and is a fellow of Timothy Dwight College of Yale University. For his and the University’s commitment to educational access, he has been honored with Brooklyn Jesuit Prep’s Sister Thea Bowman Award, Cristo Rey New York’s Ensuring Our Future Award, as well as the Archdiocese of Bridgeport’s Foundations in Education Award.

Dr. Nemec was welcomed into the �Ӱ�ԭ�� community with his wife, Suzanne, and their four children: Alex, Teddy, Philip, and Kit. In addition to his role as President of �Ӱ�ԭ�� University, Dr. Nemec also joined the politics department as a professor within the College of Arts and Sciences.

�Ӱ�ԭ�� University Board of Trustees, 2017-present.
National Association of Independent Colleges & Universities, 2024-present. Tax Policy Committee.
Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges; 2017-present. Chair, 2023-Present; Vice Chair 2021-2023. Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities, 2017-present.
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, 2017-present. Vice Chair 2023-present. Chair, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, 2019-2023. Chair, Strategic Planning, 2023-present.
National Collegiate Athletic Association, Presidential Forum, 2021-2023.
�Ӱ�ԭ�� Country Day School, 2020-2023, Advancement Committee.

President Mark R. Nemec, PhD wearing a suit and tie is actively presenting to a group, showcasing professionalism and expertise.

Students in the �Ӱ�ԭ�� University Honors Program have the unique opportunity to learn directly from President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, and Dean Richard Greenwald, PhD, as they explore the fundamental purpose and societal demands of higher education. The interdisciplinary nature of the course encourages critical thinking, thoughtful communication, and a deeper understanding of students' broader place in the world.

The Pope warmly greets �Ӱ�ԭ�� University leadership at the Vatican, embodying a spirit of unity and compassion.

An audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican was a highlight of President Nemec's Ignatian pilgrimage to Rome with members of �Ӱ�ԭ��'s leadership administration.

A diverse group of individuals gathered around an unlit Christmas Tree, engaging in conversation and laughter.

President Nemec and his family led the countdown at an annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration on the North Benson campus.

A group of men engaged in an intense rugby match on a grassy field, showcasing teamwork.

During Alumni and Family Weekend, President Nemec took to the pitch for an alumni Rugby Club match.

Mark Nemec in red commencement attire shaking a students hand at Commencement.

Graduate degrees were conferred at the Leo D. Mahoney Arena during �Ӱ�ԭ��'s 73rd Commencement Exercises.

A diverse group of individuals smiling and posing together at night, capturing a joyful moment in a photograph.

President Nemec and his wife Suzy welcomed students to Bellarmine Hall for the annual President's Ball.

Two men in mid-air at a school, expressing joy and vitality through their dynamic jumps.

With his signature �Ӱ�ԭ��-red socks on full display, President Nemec celebrated with a New Student Leader at the Class of 2028 Orientation.

A group of three, consisting of two men and a woman, stands together with a basketball, highlighting their athletic spirit.

(l-r) VP for Athletics Paul Schlickmann, Women's Basketball Head Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis, and President Nemec attended a pre-game ceremony on the Mahoney Arena court.

President Nemec in a suit and tie stands at a podium, preparing to deliver a speech to an attentive audience.

President Nemec welcomed more than 1,460 members of the Class of 2028 to �Ӱ�ԭ�� University. Hailing from 30 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 12 countries, this class marked the most competitive admission cycle in University history.

A group of attendees seated in chairs, looking towards a stage, indicating anticipation for the upcoming event.

A sold-out Open VISIONS Forum event featured Bari Weiss, founding editor of The Free Press, in conversation with President Nemec and Glenn Dynner, PhD, at the Quick Center for the Arts..

…[W]hat we're seeking to do above all else is to define what higher education can and should be for the next generation and generations beyond. And that is, in our parlance: a values-based, student-centric, outcomes-focused institution which is forming children of God as individuals of purpose in service of the greater good."

- 2023 First �Ӱ�ԭ�� Friday Address, President Nemec, President of �Ӱ�ԭ�� University

A Message from President Nemec at the First �Ӱ�ԭ�� Friday Address September 27, 2024.
President Nemec gives address to the Undergraduate Class of 2023 on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
President Nemec gives address to the Undergraduate Class of 2023 on Sunday, May 21, 2023.
President Nemec gives address to the Undergraduate Class of 2022 on Sunday, May 22, 2022.
President Nemec gives address to the Undergraduate Class of 2021 on Sunday, May 23.
President Nemec gives address to the Undergraduate Class of 2020 on May 15, 2021.
Forbes Magazine Article - Solving Higher Education’s Identity Crisis, from October 24, 2020.
A Message from President Nemec at the First �Ӱ�ԭ�� Friday Address September 4, 2020.
President Nemec at the 2017 Inaugural Address on October 20, 2017.
President Nemec at the 2017 Inaugural Faculty Symposium on October 17, 2017.

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