The Inauguration of Gerard J. Joyce, Ph.D.
Twenty-Seventh President
Mount St. Mary’s University
Inauguration Events
Presidential Inauguration Mass
In celebration of Gerard J. Joyce, Ph.D.
Twenty-Seventh President, Mount St. Mary’s University
Friday, April 11, 2025 at 5 p.m.
The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception
Presidential Inauguration Ceremony
Gerard J. Joyce, Ph.D.
Twenty-Seventh President, Mount St. Mary’s University
Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Knott Arena, PNC Sports Complex
Gerard "Jerry" J. Joyce, Ph.D., is the 27th president of Mount St. Mary's University. He stands out as a strategic thinker and transformative figure in higher education, with a career defined by a dedication to academic distinction and a drive for mission-oriented expansion. His three-decade journey in the academy underscores an unwavering commitment to the values inherent in Catholic education and principled organizational stewardship.
President Joyce’s first several months at Mount St.
Mary’s featured the approval of two new majors
by the Maryland Higher Education Commission—
graphic design and finance. He launched a strategic
planning initiative and increased the university’s
focus on mission-driven programming. The university
also celebrated the opening of a new wing of the
Coad Science Building, the Blue Peak Center for
Applied Behavior Analysis, and the 25th anniversary
of the Division of Continuing Studies. The Mount recently won its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Association championship since moving to the conference nearly three years ago, resulting in a trip to the NCAA Tournament and a win in the First Four game for the men's basketball team.
At DeSales University, as the first non-clergy president in university history, Joyce directed operating expenses and was instrumental in strategic planning and developing new programs. During his tenure as interim president, DeSales experienced tremendous enrollment growth and enhanced its academic portfolio with revenue-generating academic programs.
Under his guidance as executive vice president, DeSales witnessed the largest first-year class for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022). Other notable achievements included securing over $40 million in scholarships and grants for students and managing the university's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His forward-thinking approach not only shaped the university's landscape but also fortified the university’s mission and broadened its awareness.
Joyce's previous roles encompassed a wide array of responsibilities, from vice president for student life to dean of enrollment management. He left a lasting impact in each position through innovative student recruitment strategies, character-building programs and the establishment of international education initiatives.
His commitment to education extends into the classroom. As an adjunct instructor, he imparted his education philosophy, ethics, leadership, and decision-making knowledge, further enriching the academic environment. His involvement on various boards and organizations further underscores his dedication to advancing Catholic education and student success.
Joyce holds a Ph.D. in education administration and policy studies from The Catholic University of America. He earned his Master of Education degree from Kutztown University and his Bachelor of Science degree from DeSales University.
Joyce and his wife Erin, a nurse practitioner, are the parents of five children, Isabella 23, Liam 21, Aidan 18, Amelia 15 and Adeline 8.
Please join us in wishing President Joyce well on this special occasion. Submit your notes and they will be shared with him.
Members of the media interested in covering the inauguration ceremony may contact Executive Director of Communications Donna Klinger at 301-447-5657 or d.j.klinger@msmary.edu.
