The Saint Mary's College Board of Trustees announced Monday in a press release it would extend the contract for College President Carol Ann Mooney's contract until May 2016.
Mooney began her presidency on June 1, 2004. She is the College's first president who is also an alumna of Saint Mary's.
"There is no doubt that my Saint Mary's education shaped my adult life," Mooney said. "My experiences and education at Saint Mary's made me well prepared for law school and the world. My law background then helped me become a practical administrator."
Under Mooney's leadership, Saint Mary's is currently developing many new projects, including the Sophia Program, a learning outcomes-based curriculum. The College is applying that particular program to the Class of 2016.
"There are many programs I would like to see fully implemented within the next couple of years," Mooney said. "Seeing the Sophia Program being fully implemented into the College's curriculum is something very important to me. I am also looking forward to doing some fundraising for the science building to be renovated and for an Angela [Athletic Facility] expansion."
The Board of Trustees recently voted to approve a plan to add some co-educational graduate programs to the College within the next few years.
"This project is being executed by [Senior Vice President and Dean of Faculty] Dr. Patricia Fleming and will be under my direction," Mooney said. "It will be nice to see these graduate programs come to life within the next couple of years."
Some people who work beside the president expressed pleasure that the College extended her contract.
"I am so excited she is staying," Vice President for Student Affairs Karen Johnson said. "She is an amazing leader and a great role model."
Students like junior Carolina Tapia shared cupcakes with the president yesterday in the Student Center atrium to celebrate her contract renewal.
"I think this is great news for the college and our future," Tapia said. "[Mooney] is a Saint Mary's graduate and never hesitates to get to know the students. She is a great asset to this community and I am very happy to see she will be with us for a few more years."
