Meet the next president
Dr. Christine Pharr named Mount Mary's 12th president
Dr. Christine Pharr, a chemistry professor turned administrator, will become Mount Mary University’s next president on July 1, 2017. She possesses a passion for women's leadership, particularly in the sciences.
Pharr comes uniquely positioned to lead the university. Her multi-dimensional background includes roles in advancement, fundraising and academic affairs. A higher education administrator and faculty member with more than 20 years of experience, Pharr's unique skill set made her singularly qualified to lead the institution, which is poised to build upon its commitment to support health and wellness within the community.
"Dr. Pharr is an educator with a strong connection to the mission of Mount Mary University and the charism of the School Sisters of Notre Dame," said Marie O'Brien, chair of the Mount Mary Board of Trustees. "Her leadership experience in both academic affairs and alumnae and donor relations, coupled with her ability to articulate a bold yet achievable future, provide Mount Mary with the unique skill set necessary to lead the institution into our next phase of excellence."
We'll be sharing more about Dr. Pharr through updated videos. Topics include:
Catholic institutions lead in educating women
Dr. Pharr describes a significant difference between Catholic versus public higher education: “every private school which I have attended, or in which I have worked, had a mission statement regularly referenced by students, faculty, and staff.” She explains that beyond the community investing in its mission, there are sometimes physical places, but often more times of respite, reflection and prayer.
And it's because of a strong sense of mission that she finds Mount Mary University to be a fit with her experience and values. Dr. Pharr believes that her faith is deeply embedded in her leadership and strives to model this every day. “My reasoning about the importance of this embedded mission is that if we are to assist students in the importance of finding meaningfulness, might we not first model that at the institutional level?”
How to advance the mission at Mount Mary
A mentor leads to success in your career field
Our admissions team is here to help
The best way to get started is to get in touch. We’ll answer your questions, help you explore programs and walk you through the admissions and financial aid process.