Ryan C. Hendrickson, Ph.D. is the 10th president of the University of St. Francis. He began his role on June 1, 2025.
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.
Dr. Hendrickson 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.
The University of St. Francis was founded by and is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of St. Mary Immaculate— also known as the “Joliet Franciscans.” To discover more about their history and the work they do in our community, click here.
The University of St. Francis Board of Trustees oversees and guides USF in fulfillment of its educational mission. Click here to meet members of the USF Board of Trustees.
The president relies on the university’s Officers of Administration to keep the university running smoothly. This group includes the provost and vice presidents, who oversee administrative and academic divisions at the University of St. Francis.
Terrance L. Cottrell, Ed.D.
Vice President of Information Technology & Planning
BA – University of St. Francis
M.S. – University of Illinois
MBA – University of St. Francis
Ed.D. – Northern Illinois University
Julee Gard, Ed.D., CPA, CMA
Vice President of Administration & Finance
B.A. and MBA – University of St. Thomas
Ed.D. – University of Pennsylvania
Michael Poradek, Ph.D.
Vice President of Mission Integration
B.A. – St. Norbert College
M.H.E.A. – Upper Iowa University
M.A. – Catholic Theological Union
Ph.D. – Cardinal Stritch University
Beth Roth, Ph.D.
Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs
B.A. – Vassar College
M.A. and Ph.D. – University of Chicago
Lisa Sampalis, MBA ’24
Vice President for University Advancement
B.A. – Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
MBA – University of St. Francis
This group of advisors includes the Officers of Administration, plus the following individuals:
Shannon Brown, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Business & Health Administration
B.A. and MBA – Dominican University
Ph.D. – Benedictine University
John Gambro, Ed.D.
Dean, College of Education
B.A. – Northeastern Illinois University
M.S.Ed. and Ed.D. – Northern Illinois University
Deborah Glenn, Ed.D.
Director of Campus Culture & Title IX Coordinator
BA – Memphis State University
MAT and Ed.S. – The University of Memphis
Ed.D. – University of St. Francis
Elizabeth McDermott, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
B.A. – Hope College
MFA – Purdue University
Ph.D. – University of Illinois at Chicago
Cedricka Carver
Dean of Student Life
Yeijin Yeom, Ph.D.
Dean, Leach College of Nursing
B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. – Indiana State University
ANNUAL MEMBERS 2024-25
Chair of Academic Assembly:
Erin Evans, Ed.D.
Professor, College of Education
B.S. – Illinois State University
M.Ed., Ed.D. – Northern Illinois University
Chair of Administrators & Staff Council (ASC):
Fr. Michael Jennrich, OFM
USF Chaplain
The primary purpose of the University Council is to provide an avenue for effective communication across divisions. Membership includes the Cabinet and all their direct reports. In addition, membership includes
representatives from the Academic Assembly (Chair and Executive Committee), Administrator & Staff
Council (Chair and Executive Committee), and Student Government Association (President).
The Board of Trustees, through its authority as the governing body of the university, has granted the Academic Assembly the role of representing the faculty of the university.
The purpose of the Administrators & Staff Council (ASC) is to support the mission and values of the University of St. Francis through representation of the staff and administrators.
"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."
COMING IN SPANISH SOON…
Ryan C. Hendrickson, Ph.D. is the 10th president of the University of St. Francis. He began his role on June 1, 2025.
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.
The University of St. Francis was founded by and is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of St. Mary Immaculate— also known as the “Joliet Franciscans.” To discover more about their history and the work they do in our community, click here.
The University of St. Francis Board of Trustees oversees and guides USF in fulfillment of its educational mission. Click here to meet members of the USF Board of Trustees.
The president relies on the university’s Officers of Administration to keep the university running smoothly. This group includes the provost and vice presidents, who oversee administrative and academic divisions at the University of St. Francis.
Terrance L. Cottrell, Ed.D.
Vice President of Information Technology & Planning
BA – University of St. Francis
M.S. – University of Illinois
MBA – University of St. Francis
Ed.D. – Northern Illinois University
Julee Gard, Ed.D., CPA, CMA
Vice President of Administration & Finance
B.A. and MBA – University of St. Thomas
Ed.D. – University of Pennsylvania
Michael Poradek, Ph.D.
Vice President of Mission Integration
B.A. – St. Norbert College
M.H.E.A. – Upper Iowa University
M.A. – Catholic Theological Union
Ph.D. – Cardinal Stritch University
Beth Roth, Ph.D.
Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs
B.A. – Vassar College
M.A. and Ph.D. – University of Chicago
Lisa Sampalis
Vice President for University Advancement
B.A. – Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
This group of advisors includes the Officers of Administration, plus the following individuals:
Shannon Brown, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Business & Health Administration
B.A. and MBA – Dominican University
Ph.D. – Benedictine University
John Gambro, Ed.D.
Dean, College of Education
B.A. – Northeastern Illinois University
M.S.Ed. and Ed.D. – Northern Illinois University
Deborah Glenn, Ed.D.
Director of Campus Culture & Title IX Coordinator
BA – Memphis State University
MAT and Ed.S. – The University of Memphis
Ed.D. – University of St. Francis
Elizabeth McDermott, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
B.A. – Hope College
MFA – Purdue University
Ph.D. – University of Illinois at Chicago
Cedricka Carver
Dean of Student Life
Yeijin Yeom, Ph.D.
Dean, Leach College of Nursing
B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. – Indiana State University
ANNUAL MEMBERS 2024-25
Chair of Academic Assembly:
Erin Evans, Ed.D.
Professor, College of Education
B.S. – Illinois State University
M.Ed., Ed.D. – Northern Illinois University
Chair of Administrators & Staff Council (ASC):
Fr. Michael Jennrich, OFM
USF Chaplain
The primary purpose of the University Council is to provide an avenue for effective communication across divisions. Membership includes the Cabinet and all their direct reports. In addition, membership includes
representatives from the Academic Assembly (Chair and Executive Committee), Administrator & Staff
Council (Chair and Executive Committee), and Student Government Association (President).
The Board of Trustees, through its authority as the governing body of the university, has granted the Academic Assembly the role of representing the faculty of the university.
The purpose of the Administrators & Staff Council (ASC) is to support the mission and values of the University of St. Francis through representation of the staff and administrators.
"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."
