Presidential Search | Saint Mary's College

May 21, 2024: Bringing its nationwide search to a close, Saint Mary’s is proud to introduce its 31st President, Roger J. Thompson, EdD. He brings decades of experience as a senior leader at the University of Oregon and elsewhere, boosting enrollment and enhancing the overall student experience. Read today's news story.

SMC’s Presidential Search

With the College’s Transformation 2028 strategic plan serving as a blueprint and lodestar, the next President of Saint Mary's College of California will have a remarkable opportunity to lead the College forward on a foundation of academic excellence. In doing so, the President will be expected to serve as a role model for reflective and thoughtful leadership, to be an enthusiastic advocate and defender for all matters academic, to set high expectations, and to be a leader in celebrating academic accomplishments.

The next President of Saint Mary's will provide strong support for the work of the staff and faculty and encourage a clear focus on student achievement and success. Additionally, the next President will continue to build upon the College's connections to the Christian Brothers, work with a diverse senior leadership team, and continue the oversight and implementation of Transformation 2028. The new President will be a visionary, transformative, inclusive, and decisive leader with the ability to act as a catalyst for imagination, innovation, collaboration, and advancement.

Learn more about the search process and the unique qualities of Saint Mary's College of California that have made us one of U.S. News & World Report's Best Regional Universities on the West Coast!

Presidential Search Prayer

The Board recognizes the selection of the President is its most important responsibility. Mindful of the mission, vision, and values of the College as well as the De La Salle Christian Brothers and our Lasallian Catholic heritage, the search committee co-chairs respectfully offer the following Presidential Search Prayer. The prayer can be used at the opening of all search-related meetings and listening sessions, or by members of the campus community as part of their prayers or reflections:

      Let us remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.

        We come before you, Spirit of God,
        conscious of our limitations,
        but aware that we gather in your name.
        Come to us, remain with us,
        and enlighten our hearts.
        Give us light and inspiration
        as we work together to discern
        part of our Saint Mary’s future.
        May your presence in our deliberations and decisions
        lead us to find the next President of Saint Mary’s
        who embraces our Mission,
        is esteemed by our College Community,
        works ‘together and by association’
        and has true vision for Saint Mary’s and our future.
        Guide us by your wisdom,
        and support us by your power.
        Do not allow us to be misled by ignorance
        or corrupted by fear or favor.
        Unite us to yourself in the bond of love
        and keep us faithful to the Lasallian Catholic Mission.