Gerard Rooney, PhD

Gerard J. Rooney, PhD, took office as the seventh president of St. John Fisher College in 2015. His 35 years of experience in higher education and executive administration include his previous appointment as St. John Fisher’s senior vice president for enrollment, advancement and planning.  

A first-generation student himself, Rooney is committed to college access, affordability and student success. His dissertation research led to the creation of St. John Fisher’s College Bound Program, a weeklong residential program to help low-income, first-generation students navigate the college search process. Since its inception, the program has served more than 350 students.   

During his presidency, Rooney has focused on initiatives designed to support student development and success, including the creation of the Executive Intern program for juniors and seniors interested in higher education leadership. The Center for Career and Academic Planning and the Fisher Edge provide an integrated approach to student success.   

Under his leadership, the College has added new academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including the first fully online pharmacy doctorate program in New York State. Additional programs ranging from cybersecurity to sustainability to public health have been added as well.  

Rooney serves on the executive committees of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities in New York State and Goodwill of the Finger Lakes.

Rooney won UB’s Edwin Duryea, Jr. Higher Education Memorial Award while earning his doctorate in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy, Higher Education Program. He also holds a certificate in higher education leadership from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education’s Institute for Educational Management.