Episode 68. Dr. Jo Ann Rooney – Past President, Spalding University (2002-2010)

An American educator, lawyer, businesswoman, & public servant driven by seeing the achievements of students & the impact education has on their lives & their families. This change opened doors that led Jo Ann in 2002 to become the 9th president of Spalding University, a private, Catholic, doctoral–level university in Louisville, Ky. Her inauguration was held on Sept. 27, 2003. Jo Ann is credited with turning around an institution facing severe financial challenges, stabilizing the university, & eliminating its debt. In 2006, she was named Most Admired Woman in Education by Today’s Woman magazine. Jo Ann was an avid athlete who grew up as a typical tomboy in PA., enjoying baseball, softball, swimming, & rowing. Dr. Rooney’s professional journey includes significant leadership roles in academia. During her 8-year tenure at Spalding, she was instrumental in transforming the institution, notably stabilizing its financial situation & eliminating its debt. Her efforts in education earned her the title of “Most Admired Woman in Education” by Today’s Woman magazine in 2006. In July 2010, Rooney took up the position of president at Mount Ida College in Newton, MA. However, her tenure there was brief, as the Obama Administration soon appointed her to serve in the U.S. Dept. of Defense. On Sept. 29, 2010, the Obama Administration nominated her as principal deputy undersecretary of Defense for personnel & readiness, a position for which the U.S. Senate confirmed her in May 2011. Within the Dept. of Defense, Rooney managed a broad portfolio that included recruitment, career development, health care, readiness, pay, & benefits for military personnel. Her responsibilities extended to over 30,000 employees & a budget exceeding $70 billion.

Furthermore, Dr. Rooney made history at Loyola Univ. Chicago, where she was named the 24th president on May 23, 2016. Notably, she was the university’s first lay, non-Jesuit president, marking a significant milestone in its leadership. Her tenure at Loyola was marked by her diverse background/experience, encompassing various sectors. In addition to her administrative work, Dr. Rooney spent over a decade teaching at graduate/undergraduate levels.