Madison, Wis. (August 13, 2019) – Dr. Scott Flanagan, long-time Edgewood College leader, and President since 2014, announced to faculty and staff today that he will be taking a new Senior Consultant position with Academic Search, one of the most highly respected higher education search firms in the nation.

Over the last 21 years Dr. Flanagan has held a number of top leadership positions at Edgewood College, including Vice President for Planning and Enrollment and Executive Vice President. He has also served in various leadership roles in the national higher education community, including being elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Independent College and Universities in 2017.

“I have been extraordinarily fortunate to have been able to call Edgewood College home for so many years. It has been an honor to work with such outstanding colleagues and students and to be recognized locally, regionally and nationally as an exceptional campus for quality student learning,” Flanagan said. “I’m a better person because of my time here, and I am hopeful this is a better place because of my presence.”

Board of Trustees Chair Lucy Keane ’84 expressed appreciation on behalf of the board for Flanagan’s contributions.

“We have been so lucky to have had Scott in the Edgewood College family for as long as we have,” Keane said. “During Scott’s tenure at the College, he led enrollment management to record class sizes. After taking on the presidency he oversaw the recruitment of a more diverse student body; introduced innovative affordable pricing strategies and three new intercollegiate sports; invested in infrastructure to support philanthropic efforts; and as an excellent strategic planner he has set the stage for our future. Dr. Flanagan leaves the College in a strong financial position with a larger endowment and more reserves than at any time during the history of Edgewood College.”

Stepping into the role of Interim President is Mary Ellen Gevelinger, O.P.

“Sr. Mary Ellen is the ideal person to lead the College through a successful leadership transition,” Keane said. “We won’t miss a beat as we enter the exciting new beginnings that the start of a new academic year brings as we welcome our students, faculty, and staff back to campus. We are able to prepare for a leadership transition with the luxury of knowing there will be no operational gaps.”

Gevelinger has executive leadership experience as the Prioress of the Sinsinawa Dominican congregation, holds an Ed.D. in educational leadership, was a tenured faculty member at Edgewood College and the former director of Doctoral research in the School of Education. Most recently she chaired a task force that developed a series of actionable recommendations for accelerating the success of Edgewood College into the future.

“I am ready to roll up my sleeves and devote myself to making sure that our students have the best possible college experience in the Dominican tradition,” Gevelinger said. “I look forward to continuing the great work Scott has done, while at the same time helping the College navigate the demographic challenges facing higher education across the county.”

Flanagan will retain his position through the end of August and will advise Edgewood College through the end of the year to ensure a successful transition.

Edgewood College will begin a national search for a new president with an eye toward having a new leader in place at the start of the 2020-‘21 academic year.

About Edgewood College

Located in Madison, Wis., Edgewood College is a liberal arts Catholic college in the Dominican tradition. We serve approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The College offers more than 40 academic and professional programs, including master’s degrees in business, education, and nursing, and doctoral degrees in educational leadership and nursing practice. For more information about Edgewood College, please visit www.edgewood.edu, or call Ed Taylor in Marketing & Strategic Communications at 608-663-2333.

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