LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. — The Board of Trustees of Siena College announced on Monday that it elected Kevin Mullen, the director of Siena’s Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy, to serve as the college’s tenth president effective June 1.
Kevin will succeed Kevin Mackin, a fellow Siena alumnus, who announced a year ago that he will be stepping down after 11 years of service to pursue research, writing and teaching.
Kevin Mullen, a native of Paterson, N.J., was elected to an initial term of three years as president of the college.
He has taught religious studies and Siena’s Foundations course for first-year students, and has also been Guardian (supervisor) of the friary at the college since 2005. Kevin Mullen was previously a member of the Board of Trustees of Siena College from 1987 to1996, and from 1999 to 2005.
Siena’s search committee for the new president comprised 17 men and women from the board of trustees, associate trustees, alumni association, faculty, administrative staff and students.
Dr. Joseph Pastore Jr., chair of Siena’s board, said, “The presidential search committee began its work last summer and was fortunate to be able to consider a range of candidates from throughout the United States. After months of interviews, campus visits, and, ultimately, two college-wide forums in consideration of two excellent finalists, the college has concluded that Fr. Mullen’s longstanding and varied relationship with Siena College, and his work as an educator and as a Franciscan friar, combine to ensure that both Siena traditions and ambitions for continued growth and academic excellence can be served under Fr. Mullen’s leadership.”
Kevin expressed gratitude to the Board of Trustees for selecting him.
“I look forward to reflecting together with the Siena community upon how we may further our communal commitment to the values that support the Franciscan and Catholic traditions of a liberal arts education. Siena College has had a profound influence upon the greater part of my adult life. I am happy to be able to give back my skills and energy to the academic community that introduced me to the liberal arts and helped to shape my outlook and perspective upon the world,” said Kevin.
” The trustees and the Siena community are grateful to Fr. Kevin Mackin for his 11 years of dedicated service and leadership,” added Pastore. “When we pause to consider the qualitative developments in academic programs, faculty and staff, students, facilities, and financial equilibrium that have occurred over the past decade, Fr. Kevin Mackin’s tireless efforts on behalf of Siena College symbolize an important and exemplary legacy.”
Provincial Minister John O’Connor added that “Kevin’s gifts and talents are well suited to this position and I am sure he will do an excellent job. On behalf of all the friars of our Province, I congratulate Kevin and wish him God’s many blessings.”
Kevin has been a member of Holy Name’s Provincial Council for nearly 15 years. He was elected to the Council for nine years in the ’90s and then again in 2002 and 2005, each for three-year terms.
Kevin was graduated from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y.
According to a statement from Dr. Pastore, the election of Kevin Mullen symbolizes the college’s continuing effort to ensure that the leadership of the college will serve two important objectives: the maintenance of the historical repertoire upon which the college was founded and the assurance that the college will continue to grow and develop as a leading institution of higher learning. The trustees are confident that Fr. Kevin Mullen possesses the leadership, vision, and, especially the love for Siena College, necessary to serve each of these important principles.
“The Board extended a unanimous expression of gratitude and commendation for the faithful and excellent leadership provided by Kevin Mackin during the past 11 years,” Dr. Pastore said, adding, ” We look forward to celebrating Fr. Mackin’s contributions in the months to come.”
The board also extended a message of gratitude and commendation to those students, faculty, staff, and alumni who served on the Presidential Search Committee and for the untiring work and leadership provided by Trustee Robert Cushing as Chair of the Committee. In addition, the work of the Committee could not have been achieved without the participation and support of the entire Siena community, many of whom participated in small and plenary meetings with final candidates for the position.
The Board congratulated Kevin on his election, saying in a statement: “we look forward to joining the Siena community in welcoming him to his new and important challenge and to supporting him for years to come.”