Saint Mary’s Introduces its 31st President, Roger J. Thompson, EdD

Roger J. Thompson, EdD, a higher education executive for nearly four decades and a renowned national expert in enrollment management, has been named the 31st President of Saint Mary’s College of California following an extensive national search. Dr. Thompson will begin his tenure as President on Monday, July 22, 2024.

The announcement was made in an email to the Saint Mary’s College community from Eric Flowers EMBA '04, Chairman of the SMC Board of Trustees, and Brother Nick Gonzalez, FSC, Brother Visitor and Provincial Superior for the District of San Francisco New Orleans of the Brothers of the Christian Schools

“The Board of Trustees’ approval of Dr. Thompson to serve as Saint Mary’s next President signals a turning point for the College and a time for renewal, enthusiasm, and optimism,” said Chairman Flowers.

“I am profoundly honored for the opportunity to serve as Saint Mary’s next president," said Dr. Thompson. "Saint Mary’s won my heart as a truly student-centered learning community grounded in Lasallian heritage and guided by Christian Brothers, faculty, and staff who have a passion for transformative education, service, and commitment to student success. I look forward to getting to know the Gael community, alumni, and supporters alike. Together, we will embrace the work ahead to thrive and grow as an inclusive, diverse, and vibrant community.”

"The Board of Trustees’ approval of Dr. Thompson to serve as Saint Mary’s next President signals a turning point for the College and a time for renewal, enthusiasm, and optimism." 

–Eric Flowers, Chairman, SMC Board of Trustees

“Dr. Thompson is an inspiring, engaging leader with the vision and the breadth of experience to elevate Saint Mary’s College and position the College as the leading Lasallian Catholic institution of higher education in the country,” said Brother Nick. 

The Board, noted Chairman Flowers and Brother Nick, was especially impressed with Dr. Thompson’s impeccable record in working directly with students to provide exceptional services that lead directly to their personal and professional success.

Leadership, success, and achievement

Dr. Thompson brings to Saint Mary’s deep leadership experience and a long history of success and achievement in higher education. He possesses a unique blend of knowledge, service, and accomplishment in areas that enhance the college experience for all students, including recruitment, enrollment management, and retention.

For nearly 14 years, Dr. Thompson has served at the University of Oregon, most recently as its Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management. There, he led an organization of nearly 2,000 team members while overseeing an operating and scholarship budget of more than $250 million.

Before he arrived at the University of Oregon, he was vice provost for enrollment management and special advisor to the president at Indiana University in Bloomington. Under his four-year watch, the university’s enrollment grew from 38,000 students to more than 42,000.

Before his time at Indiana University, Dr. Thompson served for more than eight years at the University of Alabama in various roles, eventually becoming chief enrollment management officer as associate vice president for enrollment management. Dr. Thompson also served in a number of capacities at the University of Southern California for nearly eight years, and prior to his tenure at USC, worked in student affairs at several other institutions.

Substantive, student-centric results

Dr. Thompson’s extensive record in academia is one brimming with meaningful, tangible results that place students first.

Overseeing a large portfolio of student services at the University of Oregon, Dr. Thompson successfully worked to expand enrollment numbers to their current record level and was responsible for improvements in student housing, dining, university health services, student financial wellness, and a student welcome center. He designed and implemented a 10-year strategic plan for university enrollment growth that is currently progressing ahead of the established schedule, and he created strategic enrollment management plans in collaboration with several University of Oregon schools and colleges to help meet their enrollment targets.

During Dr. Thompson’s tenure at the University of Oregon, capital construction and improvements came to fruition, including the opening of a new residence hall in 2017, a significant expansion and renovation of the university’s health center in 2019, and a long-term, strategic housing plan supported by the institution’s Board of Trustees in 2018. Phase one of that initiative was completed in 2021 with the opening of another new residence hall, with yet another residential building completed in 2023.

Under Dr. Thompson’s leadership at Indiana University, the institution undertook a new approach to merit-based scholarships, leading to its signature institutional aid program, 21st-Century Scholars. That program was lauded by the College Board as a model for addressing college affordability.

Dr. Thompson is also a seasoned fundraiser as he garnered critical resources and funding for the University of Oregon, surpassing his division’s fundraising campaign goal of $70 million by nearly $50 million while reaching this goal years ahead of schedule. He contributed to the overall university fundraising goal of $3 billion by securing the largest scholarship gift in the history of the institution, and he created and secured donor funding toward a new Financial Literacy program for students. 

During Dr. Thompson’s tenure at the University of Oregon, capital construction and improvements came to fruition, including the opening of a new residence hall in 2017, a significant expansion and renovation of the university’s health center in 2019, and a long-term, strategic housing plan supported by the institution’s Board of Trustees in 2018.

His fundraising prowess at the University of Oregon extended to other parts of the campus, as he worked with colleagues in its Business School to secure a $500,000 gift for new and enhanced student leadership development programs. He also proposed and secured nearly $14 million in new funding from the Stamps Foundation for student scholarships and support. 

Also at the University of Oregon, Dr. Thompson Introduced and secured Board of Trustee approval and funding for a $220 million “Housing Transformation Plan” and $18 million for an expansion and renovation of the Student Health and Counseling Center that included a fee structure coordinated with Associated Student government leaders. 

After he was handed the enrollment reins at the University of Alabama, the institution set records for total enrollment, entering freshman class size, academic quality, and diversity, including a spike in African American student enrollment of nearly 50 percent. In addition, he developed and implemented new financial aid programs to help low- and middle-income families with the cost of college.

Awards, distinctions, and community service

Apropos of his achievements and record of success, Dr. Thompson has received numerous awards and distinctions while establishing himself as an active and stalwart supporter of community service.

At the University of Oregon, his work to create strong programs for physical and mental health led to a national Healthy Campus Award from the Washington DC-based Active Minds, just one of seven awards conferred by the organization. Also under his leadership, UO’s University Health Services was recognized with the 2022 Bernard Kershner Quality Award through the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

He was recognized for his contribution to the University of Alabama by receiving the Robert Vance Award, named in recognition of the leadership provided by Federal Judge Vance, who was instrumental in enforcing desegregation in the South in the 1960s. 

While in his position as a faculty member of the University of Alabama Graduate School, Dr. Thompson served on several doctoral dissertation committees in the higher education program. He was also awarded lifetime membership to the University of Alabama National Alumni Association. Since August 2022, he has served on the faculty at the University of Southern California, where he teaches a course for graduate students in the USC Rossier School of Education.

At the University of Oregon, his work to create strong programs for physical and mental health led to a national Healthy Campus Award from the Washington DC-based Active Minds, just one of seven awards conferred by the organization. 

Dr. Thompson has served as chair, co-chair, or member for nearly 40 committees, councils, task forces, professional organizations, and Boards of Directors, and as a presenter at dozens more.

A nationally-recognized expert in strategic enrollment management and student services, Dr. Thompson's work has appeared in news outlets and recognized by PBS News Hour, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, the College Board, ACT, and the American Marketing Association, among others. He has been a frequent presenter at national and regional conferences throughout the country and has published in the areas of leadership development, college choice, student persistence, student success, and affordability issues in higher education. 

He served for nearly a decade on the editorial board for the higher education journal College and University and currently is a member of the advisory board for the national publication Enrollment Management Report. 

In Oregon, he serves as Chairman of the Marist Catholic High School Board of Directors, and since 2015 has served on the statewide Board of Directors for Special Olympics Oregon. In 2013, Thompson was knighted as a Portland Royal Rosarian, an honor for those in Portland affiliated with the Portland Rose Festival parade and celebration.

An Oregon native, Dr. Thompson earned a BA in broadcasting from California State University, Long Beach, an MS from the University of Central Missouri, and a doctorate in higher education policy and administration from the University of Southern California.