An interview with the outgoing and incoming chairs of the board of trustees.
The strongest leaders possess extraordinary levels of creativity, courage and passion. Thomas M. Boudreau, ’73, chair of the board of trustees from 2007–2019, and Ed Ryan, current chair of the board of trustees, have helped Maryville thrive and grow by every measure. Under their strategic leadership, academic programs expanded, enrollment reached record numbers, community and corporate partnerships increased and philanthropic support achieved new levels. Here, they discuss their roles and Maryville’s revolutionary approach to higher education.
How did you initially connect with Maryville?
BOUDREAU: I graduated from Maryville in 1973. At the time, the University had just moved to our West St. Louis County campus and there was only a handful of buildings with very little landscaping. The University has changed dramatically since then (and campus looks a bit different, too). But one thing has remained the same: Maryville has always provided students with a high-quality education. Today, we’re providing that education in new and innovative ways.
RYAN: My son graduated from Maryville and he had a great experience. When he arrived on campus, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after graduation, but the faculty and staff helped him figure that out. I was so impressed with the University that I reached out to the board of trustees as a way to give back.
What do you see ahead for Maryville?
BOUDREAU: Maryville is redefining higher education so that every student can be successful. We will continue building our Active Learning Ecosystem, which involves increasing our use of digital tools like artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality. We’re also redesigning Maryville’s learning spaces to support the Active Learning Ecosystem. These spaces won’t be traditional classrooms or lecture halls; they will be spaces where students and faculty come together to collaborate for project-based, hands-on learning.
RYAN: We will also continue to grow. Many universities are facing challenges right now because of rapidly shifting student demographics and increasing legislative and public pressures. But that’s not the case at Maryville because of the way we deliver education to our students. It’s a very unique and exciting place to be.
What are some of Maryville’s strengths?
BOUDREAU: Maryville is successful because of our ability to move quickly. This is something that president Mark Lombardi, PhD, has instilled in the team. He has built a culture of risk-taking and innovation among the leadership, faculty, staff and students. In this culture, failure is a learning exercise on the path to success. So, the way we do things now can always be made better, if needed, but we are not overthinking decisions and waiting while opportunities pass us by.
RYAN: Our campus community is amazing. And the alumni of Maryville should be very proud of their University. They laid the groundwork and the principles for what’s happening today. They are some of our very best ambassadors, spreading the word about Maryville to prospective students around the country. Our alumni are also returning to Maryville when they need additional education or training to switch careers or advance in their current careers.
What are some of the challenges Maryville faces?
BOUDREAU: Change is hard. Because we’re moving fast, we have to make sure we are communicating our message and the direction we’re headed. Our students understand the revolution in higher education taking place because they are here on campus, but our alumni need to hear more about what Maryville is doing. We are continually working to share that message through conversations, events and various communication vehicles.
RYAN: The strategic plan, “A New Century of Higher Education: Maryville 2022,” calls for some extraordinary outcomes. The board ensures the strategic plan is fundable and executable, especially regarding capital projects and upgrades to information technology infrastructure. We are laying the groundwork now for the next several years, but there will be some curveballs we don’t see. It’s our job to make sure projects are happening at the right time, in the right way.
What is your proudest accomplishment as chair of the board of trustees?
BOUDREAU: I am proud of how the board worked with president Mark Lombardi, PhD, to transform Maryville into what it is today, and what it will become in the future. There is no single event that captures my time as chair of the board of trustees; I have enjoyed the entire process. And I look forward to continuing to serve on the board in the future, and continuing to support the leadership, faculty and staff so they can provide the best experience for our students.
What are you most looking forward to as chair of the board of trustees?
RYAN: What excites me the most about Maryville is the way we teach our students. We provide a highly personalized learning environment that supports and elevates individual strengths and learning styles to help each student achieve their goals. We are reaching a much broader student population than a lot of other universities, and we are helping these students become successful in their personal and professional lives. Maryville is also taking the boundaries of a traditional university and expanding them by working with students in the K-12 space. We’re giving those students the tools they need to thrive, not just at Maryville, but at any institution.