The Role of the President

The president of the university reports to the Board of Trustees and serves at its pleasure. The president is the chief executive officer of the university and has the authority to perform all acts necessary to carry out its purpose in accordance with the policies and directives of the Board of Trustees. The president shall keep the trustees accurately informed of the affairs of the university and consult with them on all major decisions.

The president has the authority necessary to implement trustee policies and directives and administrative regulations and requirements in all areas affecting the orderly and efficient operation of the university. The president’s responsibilities include general supervision of academic and administrative programs and employees, development and allocation of resources, and delegation of such authority as necessary to achieve these and other purposes necessarily implied by the duties and responsibilities of the office of the president.

President’s Staff

The administrative structure of the university and the members of the President’s Staff are subject to the best judgment of the president.

Father Dease directly manages the executive vice president/chief academic officer, executive vice president/chief operating officer, the vice president for mission, the executive advisor to the president, and the rector/vice president of the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity.

The EVP/CAO, Dr. Susan Huber, joined the university as a member of the faculty in the School of Education in 1992 and has served as EVP/CAO since 2009. She is responsible for all of the university’s academic functions, and the deans of each academic division report directly to this position. Also reporting to the EVP/CAO are the directors of the Center for Catholic Studies, Center for Irish Studies, Selim Center, Faculty Development Center, International Education Center, Center for Intercultural Learning and Community Engagement, the Institutional Review Board, the Office for Institutional Effectiveness, the Registrar and the Office for Faculty Grants.

The EVP/COO, Dr. Mark Dienhart, has served in his current role since 2003. He worked for St. Thomas from 1976 to 1990 and returned in 2001. He is responsible for all of the university’s administrative functions, including admissions and financial aid, business affairs and finance, the office of general counsel, human resources, information resources and technology, institutional advancement (including development, alumni and constituent relations, and university and government relations), and student affairs.

In addition to the president’s direct reports, the current President’s Staff includes the following administrative leaders who report to the EVP/COO: the vice president for business affairs (the chief financial officer), vice president for information resources and technology, vice president for student affairs, vice president for university and government relations, and the general counsel and chief human resources officer.