Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to share with you that Andrew Brannen will soon join Monmouth University as the new Vice President and Chief Business Officer. His appointment concludes a comprehensive national search process that resulted in more than 70 applicants.

Since 2017, Andrew has worked in various senior administrative roles at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. He first joined Kean as the Vice President for Administration and Finance, was later promoted to the Senior Vice President for Finance, and most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer. As CFO, he has been responsible for oversight of the following areas: budget, human resources, information technology, finance, student accounting, financial planning and analysis, procurement, business services, and in recent months facilities. During his tenure at Kean, Andrew served an extensive stint as the Acting Executive Vice-Chancellor at Wenzhou Kean University in Wenzhou, China, and has also served as an adjunct faculty member at the College of Business and Public Management.

Kean employs more than 2,000 full and part-time faculty and staff, has a combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment of over 15,000 students, and offers more than 120 programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Kean recently received designation as an R2 Research University by the Carnegie Classification, and has earned distinction of being both a First-Gen Forward Institution and a Hispanic-Serving Institution. And, more than half of Kean students are Pell Grant-eligible.

Prior to working in higher education, Andrew spent nearly two decades as a city administrator in various municipalities, most recently for the neighboring Township of Ocean. Andrew earned an M.B.A. degree from the University of Illinois, an M.P.A. degree from The Ohio State University, and a B.A. degree in government from the University of Notre Dame.

He is acutely aware of the current higher education landscape in America, particularly in New Jersey. His expansive role as CFO at Kean University, coupled with his familiarity with Monmouth County and New Jersey, position him well for success as the Vice President and Chief Business Officer at Monmouth University.

Andrew will begin his new position at Monmouth in mid-July, and will have ample opportunities to meet members from across the university community in the ensuing months. I look forward to introducing Andrew to all of you more formally over the summer.

I am grateful to the members of the search committee who worked diligently over the past several months to help narrow a deep and competitive applicant pool. Please join me in thanking Mary Byrne, Dr. Matt Harmon, Dr. Bob McCaig, Emily Miller-Gonzalez, Tim Rehm, Lu-Ann Russell, and John Sonn both for serving in this capacity and for representing the university community so well during the course of this search.

Please join me in congratulating Andrew Brannen on his new role, and in welcoming him to Monmouth University.

Sincerely,

Pat
Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Students:

As we wind down the Spring semester, I want to extend my congratulations to each of you. Your dedication and perseverance have been evident throughout this academic term, and I commend you for your achievements.

To our graduating seniors: You are about to join a distinguished alumni family of nearly 60,000 Hawks. Your time at Monmouth University has prepared you to make meaningful contributions in your chosen fields. We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments at the upcoming commencement ceremonies.

And, to our continuing students: Whether you plan to take summer courses or to start up again in the fall, we are here to support your ongoing academic journey and future successes.

This semester has been marked by significant milestones for our university community. Notably, Monmouth University has been designated in the “Research Colleges and Universities” category in the 2025 Carnegie Classification update, placing us among a select group of institutions recognized for their research and scholarship activity. Our Middle States site visit exceeded expectations, and we have every indication of a favorable result in our reaffirmation of accreditation in June. These are strong indications that your university remains on the move!

Our students have distinguished themselves in every area. The Leon Hess Business School team earned first place at the national Student Managed Investment Fund competition. Four hundred sixty-four student-athletes were named to the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll, with our Field Hockey Team earning the top GPA in the nation. On the field, three recent football players signed contracts with NFL teams. Mission-driven student groups traveled to India. Model UN and the Debate Hawks continued to compete well against teams from some of the finest schools in the nation. Love Blue Monmouth led multiple beach cleanups, removing significant amounts of trash from local shorelines, and senior Diederik Boonman even discovered a new invasive species along the Jersey Shore. And, just last week, Alex Kalina won the statewide UPitch NJ new enterprise pitch competition.

This sense of accomplishment reflects more than individual success. It speaks to the strength of the community you continue to build. Monmouth is a place where students from a wide range of backgrounds come together to learn, to lead, and to support one another. You have helped shape a university environment that affirms belonging, and the senior administration and I will continue to ensure that all students find here at Monmouth a safe and supportive environment. As I often say, we are a place that doesn’t just tolerate each other’s differences; we celebrate them. That is not a given on every college campus. It is the result of your commitment—and a source of great pride for me personally.

As we look ahead, I encourage you to take pride in your recent accomplishments and to make the most of the upcoming summer.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Colleagues:

In just under a week, we will welcome a visiting team from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as part of our reaffirmation of accreditation process. As I have mentioned in many of my open calls, this is a significant milestone in the life of the University, and your role in it is essential.

From April 6-9, a team of peer evaluators—colleagues from institutions across our region—will visit Monmouth to assess our performance in alignment with the MSCHE Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation. During their time on campus, they will engage with students, faculty, staff, trustees, and administrators. Their charge is to verify that Monmouth meets the rigorous expectations of accreditation, and to evaluate how effectively we advance academic excellence, support student success, and uphold inclusive access.

This visit is an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come—and to share our aspirations for the future. The evaluators will have examined our Self-Study Report, and will rely on authentic conversations to understand who we are as an institution. In preparation for their visit, it may be helpful for you to reflect on how your work connects to Monmouth’s mission, how you assess your outcomes, and how you contribute to our shared progress.

The visiting team may request additional meetings with individuals or groups; however, please mark your calendar for the Open Session on Monday, April 7 at 3:30 p.m. in Pollak Theatre, and the Oral Summary of the Team’s Findings on Wednesday, April 9 at 9:15 a.m. in the Great Hall Auditorium.

In preparation for the visit, I encourage you to explore the resources available on our MSCHE website, including our full Self-Study Report, the Self-Study Report Summary, and a site visit guide. These materials provide helpful context and key takeaways from our community-wide effort.

Reaffirmation of accreditation is more than a compliance exercise. It is a moment to share our distinctive qualities and to demonstrate the strength of our work. The evaluation team will see what I see every day—an extraordinary community that believes deeply in our mission and demonstrates it in action.

Thank you for the vital role you play in our success.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Colleagues:

I am writing to provide an important update on the future of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.

Following a year-long review of all of the University’s Centers and Institutes, I have made the decision, in close collaboration with our Board of Trustees, to close the Polling Institute, effective July 1 of this year. This comprehensive review over the past year was to examine and evaluate each center of distinction relative to its impact on student engagement and outcomes, as well as each one’s alignment with the institutional priorities and goals outlined in our current strategic plan. While the Polling Institute has done excellent work, its public polling mission is no longer aligned with our current strategic goals.

I realize this is a significant change given the decades of outstanding work led by Patrick Murray, the founding director of the Institute since its inception in 2005. Patrick’s skilled analysis and media aplomb established the Monmouth University Poll as one of the top polls in the country for both accuracy and transparency, including a top-five ranking from the poll analysis website FiveThirtyEight. At its height, the Institute played a prominent role in helping to elevate the University’s image and to amplify its reputation to households across the country.

However, the changing political and media landscapes have made it both more difficult and more expensive for polling organizations to operate. In addition, our efforts over the years to integrate the work of the Polling Institute with both the student experience and the broader academic enterprise at Monmouth University have been met with mixed results. The considerable resources required to operate the Polling Institute annually will be redeployed to other strategic initiatives at Monmouth, in particular to those activities that offer direct transformational impact on our students.

I am grateful to Patrick and his team for their decades of service to the University, and I am especially appreciative for their efforts to deliver on the Institute’s mission to foster greater public accountability by ensuring that the public’s voice was heard.

Sincerely,
Pat

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

The senior administration and I have been closely monitoring the news coming out of our nation’s capital regarding changes to American higher education. In fact, I spent much of this past week in Washington, DC, attending the national meeting of the American Council on Education – our sector’s leading advocacy organization – at which there was much discussion about the potential effects of these orders. It is safe to say that much uncertainty and confusion surrounds them. We are still not sure how these will play out in the days and months to come, either around the country or here at Monmouth. Patience right now is a virtue.   

In the meantime, I assure you that our values as an institution remain steadfast. I encourage the members of the Monmouth University community to keep doing what we always strive to do – that is, to create an environment where all of our members feel welcome and supported, a place where our differences are not just tolerated but celebrated. 

We will continue to watch the directives coming out of Washington, especially as they play out in the courts and intersect with long-standing state protections, and I will keep the University community informed of any necessary changes to our policies and/or practices. Remember: here at Monmouth, hawks fly together!

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

Today, as we commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day, we are called to reflect on the important intersection of history and progress. This moment reminds us of Dr. King’s enduring vision of a just and united society—a vision that challenges us to recognize our shared humanity and to confront the barriers that divide us.

Dr. King’s 1966 visit to Monmouth still echoes in our community, particularly his assertion: “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. […] No racial group is an island entire of itself. We are all tied together, and when there is injustice, in any race, it diminishes all people in this country.” These words remind us that our destinies are interconnected, and the pursuit of equity, dignity, and freedom for all is a collective endeavor.

As we navigate a time of political change and continued social challenges, let us recommit ourselves to Dr. King’s ideals of courage, empathy, and action. At Monmouth, we are proud of our ongoing commitment to advancing social mobility, diversity, and academic excellence. At the heart of our mission is honoring the intrinsic worth of every individual, and building a legacy of understanding and mutual respect through education.

May this day inspire us to continue to engage thoughtfully with one another, to listen with open minds, and to take meaningful steps toward creating the “beautiful symphony of brotherhood” that Dr. King envisioned.

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy

President

Dear Colleagues:

Welcome back from what I hope was a restful and relaxing break for each of you. As we begin a new year, I wanted to write and thank you for the many ways in which you have supported Monmouth University over the past twelve months. Together, we achieved extraordinary progress in 2024, and I anticipate that 2025 will be even more exceptional as we continue to collectively support our students and their Monmouth experience.

This past year, we continued to rise as a leader at integrating excellence and access. We earned our highest-ever ranking in U.S. News & World Report and were recognized for our leadership in social mobility—affirming our mission to provide transformative opportunities to deserving students of all backgrounds. We also welcomed one of the most talented and diverse incoming classes in our history, further strengthening our vibrant learning community.

Across campus, the Monmouth spirit was on full display. Our students distinguished themselves—through award-winning initiatives like the Hawk Capital Fund, the achievements of the Debate Hawks and Model UN, working collaboratively with the faculty to develop patents, beating numerous nationally-ranked sports teams, and the inspiring volunteerism of The Big Event. Our faculty continued to earn recognition for impactful scholarship and global collaborations, advancing our reputation for academic excellence.

We also celebrated milestones that will shape Monmouth’s future, including breaking ground on the new home for the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music—a project that will enhance our national profile and expand academic opportunities. At the same time, enhancements to Nagy Common and the Rebecca Stafford Student Center are fostering the connections and collaboration that drive our success.

Looking ahead, the future is bright. A month ago, we proudly launched the largest fundraising campaign in Monmouth’s history—Excellence. Access. Ambition.—with a bold goal of $175 million. This campaign will accelerate our vision to elevate academic excellence, expand access to education, and strengthen spaces and resources on campus, including the new Student Wellness Center and Campus Gateway.

Thank you for everything you do to support our students. I look forward to celebrating all the milestones and opportunities that await us.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and inspiring new year.

Sincerely,

Pat

Dear Colleagues:

As mentioned on last week’s open call, the senior leadership team and I appreciate all of your efforts during this busy time of year.  As a small gesture of thanks for the many ways in which you support our students, we have decided to provide an additional paid day off on Monday, December 23.

We understand that essential employees may need to work on this day, and these individuals will receive an alternate day off in the future.  Please expect to hear directly from your area vice president with more information in the coming days.  If you have any immediate questions, please direct them to the Office of Human Resources.

I look forward to being together once more before the winter break at tomorrow’s holiday gathering, which takes place in the Great Hall from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.  Please join us if you can.  If I do not have a chance to see you, I wish you and yours a happy holiday season.

Sincerely,
Pat

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

I am writing to share an exciting update for the future of Monmouth University. This past Saturday, at our 50th annual holiday gala, we proudly announced the largest fundraising campaign in Monmouth’s history. This $175 million campaign, aptly sharing the same name as our strategic plan—Excellence. Access. Ambition.—will advance our bold goal of becoming a national leader at integrating excellence and access.

The ambitious fundraising goal of this comprehensive campaign is nearly four times the size of the next largest campaign in Monmouth’s history. With its success, we are positioned to accelerate our recent evolution as a university. The campaign will help elevate academic excellence, expand educational opportunities, enhance our campus, and establish Monmouth University as a leading force in higher education.

Please visit our campaign website to learn more about these priorities, and enjoy this short video which chronicles Monmouth’s progression from a small junior college to a comprehensive university enjoying our highest-ever national rankings, and showcasing the transformative goals of this historic campaign.

Monmouth would not be poised for this trajectory of success without such a remarkable community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and supporters. Thank you for your enduring support of our university, and for championing this ambitious undertaking to transform students’ lives and secure Monmouth’s promising future.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

At the 11th hour of the day, on the 11th day of the month, in the 11th month of every year our nation comes together to remember all the men and women who have safeguarded our freedoms through their service in our armed forces. We call it, of course, Veterans Day.

In this year it is perhaps particularly important that we pause to celebrate this day. In the aftermath of a long and at times contentious election cycle, Veterans Day is a day of national unity, providing an opportunity for all Americans to celebrate the sacrifices made by our fellow citizens in protecting our country.

As members of a shared university community, we should take this unique opportunity to reiterate two of our fundamental values here at Monmouth University, inspired by our rights as a nation that so many have fought to protect. First, we will continue to defend the rights of individuals to express themselves, even if their comments are deemed controversial by some. And, second, the expression of opinions on this campus must be offered in a respectful manner, recognizing, and even celebrating the diversity that is representative of Monmouth University. Together, these values—free expression and strong community—are fundamental to the mission of every American university.

So, as we celebrate our nation’s veterans and the sacrifices that they have made for us, let us reaffirm our dedication to fostering greater understanding in an environment of mutual respect here in our small part of the country.

Please join us today in Anacon Hall at 11 a.m. as we gather with the Monmouth University Student Veterans Association to recognize the contributions of military service members within our campus community, and listen as student veterans share stories from their time in service. Additionally, we will toll the bells at 11 a.m., recalling the armistice that concluded World War I. This act of remembrance symbolizes our ongoing gratitude for all veterans and their families and recognizes the sacrifices they all have made.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President