Susan Donovan Joins Board of Trustees
Buena Vista University has announced that Dr. Susan Donovan has been elected to its Board of Trustees. She currently serves as executive vice president at Loyola University Maryland where she oversees administration, advancement, enrollment management and communications, and student development.
Buena Vista University has announced that Dr. Susan Donovan of Baltimore, Md., has been elected to its Board of Trustees.
Donovan currently serves as executive vice president at Loyola University Maryland where she oversees administration, advancement, enrollment management and communications, and student development as well as Campus Ministry and athletics.
Throughout her career, Donovan has held positions at Loyola University Maryland, including acting president, dean of residential life, dean of students, interim vice president for advancement, vice president for student development and dean of students. She was also the assistant director of housing at Saint Louis University.
"Dr. Donovan is a highly respected leader in independent higher education and will bring her considerable ability and expertise to Board deliberations. She is a perfect fit for the Academic Affairs and Marketing Committees of the Board. She is a loyal servant of her alma mater and we are very pleased to welcome her to the Board of Trustees," said BVU President Fred Moore.
Donovan is a 1980 BVU graduate with a degree in communications. She went on to receive her master’s degree in higher education from Florida State University and her Ph.D. in education in higher education administration from Saint Louis University. She also attended Harvard’s Institute for Educational Management.
"I am honored and humbled to be asked to serve as a trustee for my alma mater," said Donovan. "My professional career and my personal life have been shaped by my undergraduate experience, where I made lifelong friends and the faculty, administrators and staff mentored me."
Donovan served on the BVU President's Advisory Council from 2004-11. She is also active in other commitments and community service, including serving on the board of directors of Stella Maris, Wheeling Jesuit University board of trustees, Loyola Notre Dame Library board, Keswick Multi-Care Center board, Changing Directions board member, Chesapeake Life board member (American Red Cross, Biomedical Services), and holding leadership roles with Jesuit Association of Student Affairs Administrators (JASPA).
In recognition for her work, she has received the Yanitelli Award for Lifetime Service from the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators, the Educator for Life Award from students at Loyola University and was the 2014 recipient of the BVU John Fisher Alumni Award.
Donovan’s spouse, Dr. Bill Donovan is a history professor at Loyola University, and they have twin daughters, Meghan and Caitlin.