Donald R. Boomgaarden in St. Joseph's Univeristy quarter zip sweater while standing in front of stained glass inspired artwork

President Boomgaarden
To Continue in Role Until July 2030

Board of Trustees extends existing contract by five more years
By Christine Esposito
St. Joseph’s University, New York (SJNY) is pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has extended the appointment of Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., as president of SJNY until July 2030.

The new contract extension, which was formally announced in January, spans an additional five years. This is the second contract extension for Dr. Boomgaarden, who began his tenure at the institution in 2017. Shared with the SJNY community by the chairman of its board, the announcement cited Dr. Boomgaarden’s significant impact, calling him an exceptional leader of great depth and abilities with a deep devotion to the mission of the University.

“During his time with us, Dr. Boomgaarden has been instrumental in creating many positive changes at SJNY, helping to transform the institution in incredible ways over the years,” said Christopher R. Carroll ’88, Esq., chair of SJNY’s Board of Trustees.

This most recent extension to Dr. Boomgaarden’s contract ensures continuity and stability for SJNY. Moving forward, he will oversee the University’s upcoming Middle States accreditation review, complete the current strategic plan and support the implementation of SJNY’s newly launched Comprehensive Campaign.

“I would like to thank the Board of Trustees and the St. Joseph’s community for their faith in my leadership and for this opportunity to continue leading this remarkable university.”
“I would like to thank the Board of Trustees and the St. Joseph’s community for their faith in my leadership and for this opportunity to continue leading this remarkable university,” said SJNY President Boomgaarden. “I am especially thankful to the Sisters of St. Joseph, and our many alumni, for their continued support of me, and of our unique institution. The vision provided to us by the sisters is so important to us all, and will continue to sustain, empower and energize us as we move forward. Furthermore, the faculty and staff of St Joseph’s are second to none, and I am very grateful to be a part of an institution which does not seem to be, but is one of the finest in the world.”

Dr. Boomgaarden is the eighth president of the University. Since his arrival in July 2017, he has made significant improvements to St. Joseph’s, including increasing the endowment, successfully guiding the institution during the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing milestone capital improvements on both campuses, adding in-demand academic programs and leading the historic designation change from St. Joseph’s College to St. Joseph’s University, New York in April 2022.

In addition, Dr. Boomgaarden has assisted in raising the reputation of SJNY regionally and nationally, and has been lauded for his contributions to higher education, earning recognition among his peers numerous times, including being named a Trailblazer in Education by City & State New York, and a Power Player in Education by PoliticsNY and amNY Metro in 2024.

Reaffirming and strengthing SJNY’s longstanding mission and values

By Jessica McAleer Decatur
With its continued growth and the announcement of St. Joseph’s being granted university status by the New York State Regents and New York State Department of Education in April 2022, St. Joseph’s embarked on its next chapter, calling for a reaffirmation and strengthening of the institution’s longstanding mission and values, including the five guiding pillars — integrity, intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, social responsibility and service.

“As part of our commitment to moving the University forward, the SJNY Board of Trustees unanimously voted to officially approve the change in wording of two of its pillars — intellectual and spiritual values to intellectual rigor and spiritual depth,” said SJNY President Dr. Boomgaarden.

“While these are small changes, they speak volumes about our dedication to further strengthening the development of students’ curiosity about the world and growing desire to deepen one’s understanding of ideas, along with the exploration of the meaning of spirituality within,” he added.

Built on the strength of a more than century-old tradition, the values of St. Joseph’s University, New York are instilled in its students to prepare them for successful outcomes, both in and outside the classroom, as well as to make positive and transformative impacts on their local and global communities. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph, the University’s five pillars have been embedded into the core of the institution from its very beginning.

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