Thursday, March 5, 2026
Today is a truly exciting day here at Nazareth University! On behalf of the Nazareth Board of Trustees, it is my distinct and sincere honor to inform you that Maureen Finney, Ed.D., PA-C, has been selected as the 11th president of Nazareth University.

Dr. Finney has been a crucial part of the Nazareth community as provost since 2022. She was selected after an extensive and highly competitive national search process involving the Board of Trustees, search consultant DSG Storbeck, and the Presidential Search Committee, consisting of board members, faculty, staff, alumni, and students.

At every step along the way, Dr. Finney outlined an impressive vision for the role of president, a firm commitment to the mission and vision of the University, and a passion for leveraging Nazareth's heritage of success forward toward a bold and exciting future. Student success is central to Dr. Finney’s philosophy of leadership, and the Board is extremely confident this approach will not only enhance the life's work of our students, but will lead to even greater success for the institution as well.

Dr. Finney will officially take office on July 1, 2026, following President Paul's conclusion of her successful six-year tenure in June.

The press release, issued to local and national media just minutes ago, provides additional details. Concurrently, Dr. Finney was introduced at an event in Beston Hall, which many of you attended in person or via livestream. If you were unable to attend, a recording of the event is available here.

Many dedicated individuals, who believe deeply in Nazareth University, worked tirelessly in the search for our new president. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank everyone who was involved, from the hundreds who responded to the initial survey regarding presidential qualities that are important to them, those who served on the Presidential Search Committee — sifting through hundreds of applications — and those who participated in the interviews, including representatives of Faculty and Staff Senates, Cabinet Plus, and student leadership.

This herculean effort happened because so many care so much about this institution. And today, that effort has paid off. Nazareth has a wonderful and inspiring new president in Dr. Finney — who also cares and understands what Nazareth is all about – and a bright future under her dynamic leadership.

Welcome to your new role, Dr. Finney, and congratulations to all. It's a great day to once again proclaim, “We are Naz!”

Sincerely,

John Drain
Chair, Nazareth University Board of Trustees