President’s Office

Mary H. Van Brunt, PhD
President

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.

Laura Allsup
Executive Assistant for the President’s Office
o: (251) 380-3865  | e: lallsup@shc.edu

Rebecca Cantor, PhD
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
o: (251) 380-2262 | e: rcantor@shc.edu

Rebecca Cantor, PhD, started at Spring Hill College in July 2022. In her role as Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Cantor’s span of care includes Academic Affairs with eight Academic Divisions, the Italy Center, Online Learning, Registrar, Institutional Research, Honors Program, Student Success, the Library, Residence Life, Dining, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Involvement, Advising, and Career Services. Dr. Cantor is twice Jesuit educated, with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT, and a Master of Arts in English from Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, CA. She earned her PhD in English from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California. She came to SHC from the Savannah College of Art and Design where she was Chair of Liberal Arts, and she previously served as the Assistant Provost and Writing Program Administrator at Azusa Pacific University.

Fr. Phil Steele, SJ
Chief Mission Officer
o: (251) 380-4672 | e: psteele@shc.edu

Rev. Philip G. Steele, SJ, is the Chief Mission Officer for Spring Hill College and the superior of the Jesuit Community. A Jesuit for 58 years, has spent much of his career as a high school educator—art teacher, campus ministry director, and school president. He has also served as executive assistant to the Jesuit provincial and as superior of several communities of Jesuits. For six years he was rector of Jesuit Hall, the Jesuit community at Saint Louis University, at the time the largest Jesuit community in the country. In January of 2023 when 65 retired Jesuits moved from Jesuit Hall to a new residence, he became the founding superior of St. Ignatius Hall. He has served on numerous high school and university Boards of Trustees. He holds Master’s degrees in fine arts and theology.

Kathleen Williams, JD
Vice President for Admissions and Marketing
o: (251) 380-3038 | e: kwilliams@shc.edu

Kathleen J. Williams, JD started her tenure at Spring Hill in August 2024 where she serves as the Vice President of Admissions and Marketing. Kathleen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Clara University and her Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara School of Law. After a rewarding career as a trial attorney in California, Kathleen found her new passion in Higher Education where she has worked for the past 11 years. Prior to coming to Spring Hill College, Kathleen spent five years at Lafayette College where she served as an associate dean and interim dean of Admissions.

Vannee Cao-Nguyen, EdD
Vice President for Culture & Community and Chief Diversity Officer
o: (251) 380-3026 | e: vcaonguyen@shc.edu

Vannee Cao-Nguyen, EdD joined SHC in 2023 and serves as the Vice President of Culture & Community. She has leadership responsibilities and oversight of Human Resources, Public Safety, Student Conduct, Counseling and Wellness, Badger Health Clinic, Title IX, Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives. Dr. Cao-Nguyen has over 17 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education serving as Executive Director of Equal Opportunity and Access, and Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Academic Engagement prior to coming to SHC. Prior to her higher education roles, she worked in mental health support in K12 schools, psychiatric treatment programs, and rape crisis/trauma recovery services. Dr. Cao-Nguyen holds a bachelor’s in psychology, masters in counseling and a doctorate in education with focus on diversity studies.

Brian Courtney, MBA
Vice President for Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer
o: (251) 380-3865 | e: bcourtney@shc.edu

Brian Courtney, CPA, MBA came to Spring Hill in May of 2023 bringing with him 23 years of financial and management experience. Prior to coming to Spring Hill, Mr. Courtney  served as the Assistant Chief Financial Officer for the Health System at the University of South Alabama. Prior to his seven-year tenure at USA, he was the Division Controller and Assistant CFO for Ardent Health Services in their Tulsa, OK market. Courtney started his career with Ernst and Young where he planned and performed financial statement audits for various companies in the Southeast. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has his Certified Management Accountant designation.