The University of St. Francis is thrilled to announce that after a rigorous search, Dr. Ryan C. Hendrickson was chosen as USF’s tenth president. The announcement was made in a special ceremony on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 in USF’s San Damiano Hall. Dr. Hendrickson was present with family members and will begin his duties on June 1, 2025. Thanks to all who joined us for this exciting announcement and milestone in USF history!
Dr. Ryan C. Hendrickson (B.A. Marquette University, Ph.D. University of Nebraska-Lincoln) currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Eastern Illinois University. He has 26 years of higher education experience in Illinois, including ten years in senior administrative positions. Prior to his service as provost, Hendrickson served as L.M. Hamand Dean of the Graduate School, acting dean of the College of Health and Human Services, and acting dean of Booth Library.
Adopting a leadership approach that is relational, consultative and collaborative, Hendrickson has worked with faculty, staff and administrative colleagues to create innovative curriculum and new programming, including novel student success strategies for a diverse range of learners. His efforts have resulted in significant enrollment growth and improved accessibility. Hendrickson has an established record of fundraising and external community relations.
Prior to his administrative leadership positions, Hendrickson received a number of teaching distinctions as a professor of Political Science. As a practicing Catholic and with an extensive background in Catholic educational governance, he and his wife have three children, all of whom have attended Catholic schools and universities.
February 18, 2025:
Dr. Ryan Hendrickson is publicly announced as the 10th president of the University of St. Francis.
February 7, 2025:
The USF Board of Trustees met and unanimously elected Dr. Ryan Hendrickson as the 10th president of the University of St. Francis effective June 1, 2025.
January 27, 2025:
The PSC met and reviewed all information and survey results for each of the three finalist candidates. At the conclusion of the meeting, the PSC agreed to recommend to the USF Board of Trustees, Dr. Ryan Hendrickson, as the next president of the University of St. Francis.
January 7-17, 2025:
Three selected finalist candidates individually visited the University and met with USF Trustees, Faculty, Staff, Students and the Joliet community. The meetings were well attended, and participants were able to engage and get to know each finalist candidate. After each meeting, a survey was filled out by participants to provide input to the PSC.
December 16, 2024:
In early November, the University of St. Francis Presidential Search Committee (PSC) reviewed 51 applications for the presidency of USF. After a rigorous review, 13 of the applicants were invited to meet with the PSC via Zoom on November 21 & 22 to be interviewed for the position. As a result of the Zoom interviews, seven semifinalists were invited to come to Joliet for in-person interviews, which were conducted by the PSC on December 6 & 7.
The PSC selected several finalists from the seven semifinalists and has invited them to come to the USF campus for open forum meetings with the USF community in January 2025. The PSC will be scheduling separate January open forum meetings on campus for each finalist so that the USF community can get to meet and know each finalist. After the meetings, the USF community will be asked to provide its input via a survey to the PSC on each finalist. This input will assist the PSC in making its final recommendation on the President to the USF Board of Trustees.
Prior to its presidential recommendation and upon conclusion of all finalists’ interviews, the PSC will have a “Next Steps” meeting with the USF community to highlight the PSC final recommendation process. The open forum meetings and Next Steps meeting dates, times and locations will be announced in early January. The entire USF community is encouraged to attend and participate.
November 5, 2024: The Presidential Search Committee (PSC) began its public search for the 10th President of USF on September 18, 2024 when its search consultant, Academic Search (AS), launched USF’s national efforts. Through AS networking and advertising in higher ed professional periodicals and websites, the PSC is pleased to report that 51 candidates have applied for the position of USF President as of November 4, 2024 (the application deadline). The PSC will now undertake the process of vigorously reviewing the 51 applications and conducting interviews with select applicants during the months of November and December. It is PSC’s goal to have the process completed by late January with an announcement shortly thereafter.
September 18, 2024: After a survey of USF stakeholders, numerous on-campus focus groups and the hard work of Academic Search and the Presidential Search Committee, USF announces its comprehensive search for the 10th President of USF. Please click the “Presidential Search Announcement” tab above for information on the position, the application process and the position profile. All nominations, applications and inquiries will be held confidential.
August 30, 2024: Academic Search will be on the USF campus on Thursday, September 5 to speak with faculty, staff, students and trustees to discuss the scope of the PSC presidential search.
August 16, 2024: The Presidential Search Committee (PSC), with the assistance of Academic Search (AS) (a nationally recognized educational search firm), has convened and received its charge from the USF Board of Trustees to recruit and recommend a candidate for president of USF. The PSC and AS are currently engaging until mid-September in preparatory work and defining key presidential priorities/characteristics.
Faculty Members
Erin Evans
Heather McDonald
Dan Schwert
Michael Stowe
Staff Members
Suzanne Dieter
Yvonna Miller
Gino Vaccarella
Steven Wettergren
Board of Trustees
Steve Hernandez (Chair of PSC Committee)
Sr. Jeanne Bessette, OSF (Vice Chair of PSC Committee)
Sr. Sue Bruno, OSF
Iman Ellis-Bowen
Shane Green
Sr. Meg Guider, OSF
Scott Holdman
Fr. James Lewis, O.Carm.
Joe Mallof (ex officio)
Dean
John Gambro
Student
Isabella Landeros
Alumna
Diana Viveros ’18
Click here to review the position announcement and qualifications, posted by Academic Search on September 18, 2024.
After 12 years of service, President Arvid Johnson has announced that he will be retiring on May 31, 2025. The Board of Trustees of the University of St. Francis has appointed a Presidential Search Committee to identify and recommend a candidate for the 10th president of USF. The 20-member committee is composed of USF trustees, faculty, staff, administration, student and alumni representatives.
Presidential candidate recruitment will run from September-November. The committee will engage in candidate screening/interviews in late 2024/early 2025, with more details to follow as the process moves ahead. The appointment of a new USF president is anticipated for early 2025.
Search progress will be periodically posted on this webpage to keep the University of St. Francis community updated.
