Academic Search Recruits 10th President for the University of Saint Mary
July 14, 2026 – Following a nationwide search, education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has assisted in the recruitment of Ann Marie Fallon as the 10th president of the University of Saint Mary (USM) in Leavenworth, KS. Senior consultants Suzanne Mellon and Disa Mason led the assignment. She will succeed Sister Diane Steele, who has led USM for 25 years and last summer announced her intentions to step down at the close of the current academic year.
“Dr. Fallon is a passionate advocate for Catholic higher education,” said Tes Mehring, chair of the University’s board of trustees. “Her experience has prepared her well to continue the University of Saint Mary focus as a liberal arts institution. The board of trustees will look forward to active engagement with Dr. Fallon as we continue to promote the USM mission of educating students of diverse backgrounds to realize their God-given potential preparing them for value-centered lives and careers that contribute to the well-being of our global society.”
Sister Eileen Haynes, community director of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth—USM’s founders and sponsors—said she was pleased to welcome Dr. Fallon as the university’s 10th president. “Dr. Fallon possesses the Vincentian charism in recognizing the call to provide transformative education through a Catholic, liberal arts approach while strengthening USM’s faith community through justice, service, and collaboration in Leavenworth and beyond,” she said.
Dr. Fallon comes to USM with over 15 years of higher education leadership experience – the last 11 of which were at Catholic institutions. She as previously served as dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, N.Y.—an independent liberal arts institution in the Catholic tradition of American higher education of over 3,500 students.
Dr. Fallon takes the helm of USM with the goal of continuing the institution’s growth trajectory. Over the past two decades, USM’s enrollment has roughly doubled, the university has expanded its focus on health care education programs and its doctoral offerings, and the historic Saint Mary campus has seen notable building additions.
“It is an honor and a profound privilege to be asked to serve as the president of the University of Saint Mary,” Dr. Fallon said. “I am deeply inspired by the university’s time-honored mission and core values of community, justice, respect, and excellence. As we move forward together, I am committed to upholding these values in everything we do.”
“My goal is to ensure that the University of Saint Mary remains a place where students are challenged academically and encouraged to lead with integrity, serve with purpose, and live with heart,” she continued. “I am eager to work alongside our students, faculty, staff, alumni and dedicated board of trustees to build upon our rich history and continue shaping the leaders our world so desperately needs.”
Related: Why Universities Have Stepped Up Efforts to Involve Search Firms
The University of Saint Mary is a private Catholic university located in Leavenworth, Kansas. Founded in 1923 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in areas such as business, education, health sciences, and the liberal arts.
Finding Higher Education Leaders
For over three decades, Academic Search has been a leader in designing and implementing search processes for leaders of colleges and universities across the country. The firm has completed hundreds of executive searches for higher education institutions and related organizations, for roles ranging from presidents to provosts to deans. Academic Search has a formal relationship to a premier leadership development program. As the subsidiary of the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI), the firm provides substantial financial support to a number of leadership identification, development, and support programs across all sectors of public and private higher education. The firm is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Mellon is president emerita of Carlow University, a masters comprehensive private university in Pittsburgh, PA, where she served as president and professor from 2013 to 2021. She has had a distinguished career in higher education administration for the past 23 years. Dr. Mellon joined Academic Search in 2021 and is transitioning to a senior executive coach. She has held leadership positions and served on regional, state, and national organizations in higher education and healthcare.
Ms. Mason’s experience at Academic Search spans nearly two decades, making her one of the most experienced members of the firm. In addition to her work as a consultant, she served for two years as the assistant director of Academic Search’s parent organization, the American Academic Leadership Institute, which greatly expands her network and ability to reach top-tier candidates.
Related: Academic Search Places New Provost for New Mexico State University
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
