President’s Office

Mary H. Van Brunt, PhD

Mary H. Van Brunt, PhD, began her service as president of Spring Hill College on January 1, 2023, making history as the first female to serve in the top leadership role. She succeeded E. Joseph Lee, II, PhD, who was named interim on August 1, 2018, and served from September 4, 2019, until his retirement on December 15, 2022.

Dr. Van Brunt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., a Master of Business Administration in Accounting from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pa., and a PhD in Economics from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. 

Van Brunt brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in Catholic higher education. She has served as Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and founding Academic Dean. Her strengths are in the areas of strategic planning, new program development and assessment, fundraising, and team building. She also spent twelve years in the banking, securities, and pharmaceutical industries.

Van Brunt served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Gwynedd Mercy University in Gwynedd Valley, Pa., and as Founding Dean of the School of Business, Arts and Media at Cabrini University in Radnor, Pa. As an award-winning economics professor, she received the NCES/AEFA New Scholar Dissertation Award, Warren York Fellowship, and the Charles R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Excellence in teaching. 

She has been inducted into several honor societies including Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, Beta Sigma Gamma Honor Society, and the Delta Epsilon Sigma National Catholic Honor Society. She is a published author, consultant, certified global business professional, and prior certified management accountant.