President’s Office

Mary H. Van Brunt, PhD
President

Mary H. Van Brunt, PhD, has served as president of Spring Hill College since January 1, 2023, and is the first female to hold the top leadership role in the college’s nearly 200 year history. 

Van Brunt brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in Catholic higher education. Prior to becoming president at Spring Hill College, she served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Gwynedd Mercy University and as Founding Dean of the School of Business, Arts and Media at Cabrini University. 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. 

A native of New Jersey, Dr. Van Brunt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Ursinus College, a Master of Business Administration in Accounting from St. Joseph’s University, and a PhD in Economics from Lehigh University. 

Prior to her career in higher education, Dr. Van Brunt spent twelve years in the banking, securities, and pharmaceutical industries. During that time, she became a published author, consultant, certified global business professional, and certified management accountant.

Since becoming president at Spring Hill College, Dr. Van Brunt has been recognized by several organizations for her achievements, including being named by This is Alabama to the 2026 Women Who Shape The State, and Business Alabama’s Movers and Shapers in Mobile County. She is also a recipient of the Fretwell Education Award from the Mobile Area Council of Boys Scouts of America. In addition, Dr. Van Brunt has overseen the new Annette N. Shelby Health Science Innovation Center on campus, brought new programs and majors to Spring Hill College, and brokered several academic and community partnerships.

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

Mike Ferry, PhD
Vice President of Academic Affairs
o: (251) 380-5221 | e: mferry@shc.edu

Mike Ferry began his tenure as Vice President for Academic Affairs in May of 2026. He joined the faculty at Spring Hill College in 2008 as a professor of philosophy and has served in a number of academic leadership roles. He has overseen undergraduate and graduate academic programs and guided major strategic projects including new academic program development, accreditation efforts, and external partnerships. 

Dr. Ferry earned his B.A. in Philosophy from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. His scholarly work focuses on ethics, political philosophy, and bioethics, and he has authored numerous publications and presentations in those fields.

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.

Arlene Cash
Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing
o: (251) 380-3022 | e: acash@shc.edu

Arlene Wesley Cash joins Spring Hill College as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, overseeing admissions and marketing. With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, she has led successful initiatives in admissions, financial aid, career planning, orientation, marketing, retention, and TRIO programs at institutions across the country. Her leadership includes serving as VP for Enrollment and Student Success at Frostburg State University, where she launched the Success Coach initiative, and as the inaugural VP for Enrollment Management at Spelman College, where she developed a 10-year enrollment plan to align academic, financial, and student life goals. She has also held senior roles at the University of Arkansas, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and consulted with institutions such as Notre Dame de Namur, Georgian Court, Bennett, Kentucky Wesleyan, and Delta State.

A nationally recognized leader in enrollment, Cash has contributed her expertise through committees and initiatives with NACAC, AACRAO, NRCCUA, the College Board, U.S. News & World Report, and the Character Collaborative, among others. A first-generation college graduate and TRIO participant, she was named among the inaugural class of TRIO Champions. She has also published widely on affordability and access, presented at professional conferences, and been featured in national media, including NBC’s Today show and NPR’s Talk of the Nation.

Vannee Cao-Nguyen, EdD
Vice President for Student Life & Campus Culture and Title IX Coordinator
o: (251) 380-3026 | e: vcaonguyen@shc.edu

Vannee Cao-Nguyen, EdD joined SHC in 2023 and serves as the Vice President for Student Life and Campus Culture. She has leadership responsibilities and oversight of Student Involvement, Residence Life, Student Conduct, Counseling and Wellness, Badger Health Clinic, Dining Services and Mailroom. She also leads Human Resources, Public Safety, Title IX, and Equal Opportunity. Dr. Cao-Nguyen has over 18 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.

Julia A. Vigneault, MBA, CPA, PMP
Vice President for Business and Finance
o: (251) 380-3865 | e: jvigneault@shc.edu

Julia A. Vigneault, MBA, CPA, PMP came to Spring Hill in 2023, bringing with her more than 20 years of financial and management experience. Prior to coming to Spring Hill, Ms. Vigneault served in executive roles at Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she directed multimillion-dollar financial advisory engagements. Vigneault started her career with Deloitte & Touche, providing financial remediation and process improvement services to clients across multiple industries. Vigneault is a Certified Public Accountant and a Project Management Professional. She holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Spring Hill College.