Date of Induction: April 25, 2026
Mary Meehan, PhD, President Emerita of Alverno College, was a driving force behind the growth and development of the College’s athletics and campus facilities. Her leadership was instrumental in advancing the College through numerous major projects, including a $30 million capital campaign, one of the most significant milestones of her career, which she successfully surpassed, raising $32.8 million to support academic and campus enhancements. The project is one of the most significant enhancements in the college’s history, in its over one hundred years of existence.
Under Meehan’s presidency, Alverno saw substantial campus improvements, including new NCAA athletic fields, enhanced landscaping, upgraded roadways, and the addition of Reiman Plaza in 2006. Clare Hall was renovated in 2008 to expand on-campus living, and the 2014 expansion created a state-of-the-art classroom building, a nursing simulation center, and a larger student commons to enrich the student experience.
Meehan’s support of athletics helped grow Alverno’s NCAA Division III program to seven sports and 80 student-athletes from across the Midwest. She also served on the NCAA Division III Chancellors/Presidents Council, leaving a lasting impact on both the College and collegiate athletics.
Where they are now:
Meehan currently serves as a consultant with MPK&D, a higher education firm located in Baltimore, MD.
She is president emerita and an honorary alumna of Alverno College and Seton Hall University. She also has an extensive professional health care background, having served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at St. Mary’s Hospital in NJ, and as administrator and CEO of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Harrison, NY. Meehan is a life fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and is a licensed professional mental health counselor. She earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate from Seton Hall University, and also earned a graduate degree in health policy and management from New York Medical College.
Meehan currently serves on several boards, including:
- Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership – Trustee Emerita
- Felician University
- Franciscan Friars National Review Board – Chair
- Loras College- Trustee Emerita
Meehan has served on many national boards, including the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (Vice Chair), the NCAA Presidents Council, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (Chair), the Women’s College Coalition, and Froedtert Health System.
Meehan has had extensive service to the Catholic Church. She chaired the Board of the Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, and served on the Review Board for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. She also chaired the Meehan Commission, a national survey of Catholic dioceses’ policies regarding allegations of clergy misconduct.
Meehan has been honored with numerous awards including the prestigious Sacagawea Award from Professional Dimensions, the Thomas More Faithful Servant Award, the Ben Franklin Award, Woman of the Year by Seton Hall University, and the outstanding alumna of Seton Hall University.
