Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University's Board of Trustees announced today the retirement of University President and CEO Dr. Tina S. Holland. She is the University's fourth president and will leave FranU in the summer of 2025 after 11 years of service. The Board will soon begin a national search for the next President. FranU's Chair of the Board of Trustees’, Todd Schexnayder said, "From the moment she arrived on campus, Dr. Holland has led FranU with energy, passion, vision and integrity. She will leave a legacy of growth, academic success, and community engagement centered around a deep commitment to our mission. Her retirement is well-earned and while we will miss her, we are excited to build on the momentum she has created." During Dr. Holland’s tenure, FranU grew in its mission integration both internally and with its partners in the community; it developed sophisticated enrollment management strategies that allowed it to compete successfully in a shrinking market; it continued its engagement with the community in serving those most in need; it grew its programs in response to the needs of our community while achieving record high academic outcomes; and it greatly improved its fundraising capabilities and results. Dr. Holland serves on the boards of several education and service organizations at the local, state and national levels. She is a trustee of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and is a regional accreditation consultant evaluator with expertise in organizational mission and governance. Dr. Holland serves on the board of the National Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, and she chairs the Governance Committee of the Cristo Rey National Network. She also serves on the Executive Board of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities, and the boards of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the University of Holy Cross in New Orleans, and St. Joseph’s Academy. Holland was appointed by Governor Edwards to the Board of the Louisiana Educational Television Agency and by the President of the United States to the White House Commission for Presidential Scholars. According to Chair Schexnayder, “Under Dr. Holland's leadership, we strengthened our mission-identity, added several new graduate programs, built our first signature building, raised more philanthropic gifts than ever before, and improved our operations across campus. The university has a great future, and we look forward to finding a new president who can continue our positive direction from the foundation that Dr. Holland has established." Dr. Holland said, “FranU is a treasure to the community, and a gift to all of us who are blessed to serve our mission to educate and form Franciscan servant leaders of all faiths. I’m grateful for the privilege to serve and lead this beautiful educational ministry for 11 years.” FranU is a small, Catholic, not-for-profit institution with a healthcare emphasis serving approximately 1,400 students and has over 10,000 alumni. The University offers degrees in nursing, health sciences, humanities, behavioral sciences and natural sciences. The University was founded in 1923 and sponsored by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. Committed to the faithfulness of its mission grounded in Franciscan values, the University is a student-centered academic community committed to the pursuit of truth and common good and devoted to excellence in teaching and learning. For additional information, visit franu.edu. |