Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) Board of Trustees announced today at a special event including the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, employees, students and community leaders that Ryan C. Hendrickson, Ph.D., will become the University’s 10th president. He will begin his new role on June 1, 2025, succeeding Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., who is retiring in May 2025 following twelve years of leadership and service as USF’s 9th president.
Dr. Hendrickson brings to USF more than 25 years of experience in higher education, ten of which have been in senior leadership positions at Eastern Illinois University, including his current role as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Dr. Hendrickson was selected by the USF Board of Trustees with guidance from a 20-member presidential search committee composed of USF trustees, faculty, staff, administration, student and alumni representatives. He emerged as the best candidate from a pool of over 50 applicants who were recruited and vetted by Academic Search, a highly regarded firm that supports executive recruitment for colleges and universities.
“I look forward to working with Dr. Ryan Hendrickson as he becomes the 10th president of the University of St. Francis,” said Steven Hernandez, USF trustee (vice chairperson) and presidential search committee chairperson. “Dr. Hendrickson brings to USF a wealth of experience and knowledge that will serve us well and lead us into this next chapter of our mission to bring Franciscan higher education to our students nationally and internationally.”
Sr. Jeanne Bessette, OSF, Ed.D., President of the University’s founding/sponsoring congregation, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, believes that Dr. Hendrickson’s attributes effectively position him to lead USF into the future.
“The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate are very pleased to welcome Dr. Ryan Hendrickson as the next president of the University of St. Francis. We believe his academic background as professor, researcher, author, dean and administrator is the perfect combination to ensure the strength of our Franciscan university in the 21st Century. While constant change and innovation in the professional world are realities, his firm faith and ethical approach to education will keep USF both grounded in tradition and poised to meet the evolving needs of our students and the careers they will step into. Dr. Hendrickson follows previous presidents whose innovations and vision have made excellent higher education available in our region. His vision will take us to the next level that our students and our region need,” she said.
While there are multiple opportunities available across the higher education landscape, Dr. Hendrickson was called to USF because of how its mission is lived each day across its campus community.
“The University of St. Francis is a community formed and shaped by its mission. USF is a special place where students grow and learn, where faculty, staff and administrators work together to foster student success and advance our mission, and where a university education results in real, tangible and life-changing value for its students,” he said.
When Dr. Hendrickson begins his leadership tenure in June, he anticipates a focus on growing USF in a variety of areas.
“I am committed to promoting and advancing the University’s Catholic and Franciscan identity. It is critical that we expand the University’s profile in order to share broadly the tremendous value in a University of St. Francis student experience and education, while also identifying and promoting accessible and affordable degree opportunities for the widest range of students possible. We will need to be innovative and bold in the University’s programming, with a focus on enrollment growth and market relevance,” he said.
A formal welcome event for Dr. Hendrickson will be planned later this spring.
About Dr. Ryan C. Hendrickson
Dr. Ryan C. Hendrickson currently serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Eastern Illinois University (EIU), where he has worked as a senior administrator and professor of political science for 26 years. Prior to his leadership role as provost at EIU, Hendrickson served as the L.M. Hamand Dean of the Graduate School, Acting Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, and Acting Dean of Booth Library. As a professor of political science, Hendrickson is a distinguished scholar of international relations, having published three books, and more than 70 additional book chapters and peer reviewed articles. He has also received a range of university teaching and student mentoring awards and honors in his 28 years in higher education. Dr. Hendrickson earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Marquette University, and a Master’s and Doctoral degree in Political Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He and his wife, Tece, are the parents of three children, which include their daughter, Marguerite (married to Jack Stamper), another daughter, Frances, and their son, Ryan.
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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves over 3,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.
University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.
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