Mount Mary names new vice president

Andrea Stapleton to assume inaugural role of vice president for mission and justice

Theologian and administrator Andrea Stapleton, Ph.D., has been named Mount Mary’s first vice president for mission and justice, announced President Isabelle Cherney, Ph.D.

This newly created position elevates two leadership roles that, until now, had been part time.

“As I begin my presidency at Mount Mary, I have become aware of how deeply the mission is embraced across this campus,” said Cherney. “We are poised to weave together our appreciation of diversity, our development of an inclusive community and our deepening of the meaning of social justice, under the umbrella of our mission in even more intentional ways.”

For the past two years, Stapleton has held the position of Vice President for Mission Integration at another all-women's institution, the College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska.

Previously, Stapleton taught theology at Loyola University in Chicago, and Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. She has also served as director of mission integration and Mercy heritage at Saint Xavier University in Chicago.

Both the College of Saint Mary and Saint Xavier University are sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, and she has deep experience ensuring that the legacy of the order be carried forward within their academic institutions. Mount Mary University is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

“I am so inspired by the mission of Mount Mary University and the educational vision of the School Sisters of Notre Dame,” Stapleton said. “Now, as much as ever, we need to elevate women's voices, talents and contributions. The SSNDs have built a tradition of women committed to the transformation of society through education, and I know that Mount Mary aspires to better the world through all of its students and graduates. I am honored to be joining Mount Mary and contributing to this excellent mission.”

Stapleton holds a Ph.D. in theology from Loyola University. She earned her M.A. in theology from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and her B.S. in psychology and B.S. in education from the University of Iowa in Iowa City.