LANCASTER, Pa. - Deanne D'Emilio, JD, President at Gwynedd Mercy University, will serve as chair of the Atlantic East Conference Presidents’ Council for the next two academic years. D'Emilio's term began July 1.
D'Emilio succeeds Dr. Chris Domes, President at Neumann University, who served as the Atlantic East Presidents' Council chair for the past two years.
"I am honored and excited to assume the chair of the Atlantic East Presidents’ Council," said D'Emilio. "I am looking forward to building upon the strong foundation that has been established by our Conference and especially want to thank Dr. Chris Domes for his steady leadership of the Presidents’ Council during these last two unprecedented years. As we move forward, we will continue to focus on the well-being of our student athletes and their holistic educational experience, and the continued strengthening of the Atlantic East Conference."
The Presidents' Council and the Presidential Chair holds ultimate authority and responsibility for the conference's governance, general policy and annual budget. Active presidential leadership is critical in conference administration as the Presidential Chair guides membership conversation, operation as well as actions and dissolution of the conference.
The Presidential Chair is a part of the Presidents Executive Committee which is comprised of three individuals:
- Chair: Deanne D'Emilio, JD – Gwynedd Mercy University
- Past Chair: Dr. Chris Domes – Neumann University
- Vice Chair: Barbara Lettiere – Immaculata University
"I'd like to extend a huge thank you to Dr. Domes who guided us through some of the toughest days during COVID-19 and an institutional shutdown at Wesley College," said Jessica Huntley, Commissioner of the Atlantic East. "His leadership was unwavering, keeping the Atlantic East Conference moving in a positive direction. I am confident that President D'Emillio's leadership style will compliment what Dr. Taylor and Dr. Domes have done thus far in our young conference, and President D'Emillio will step right in and keep the progress moving forward."
Deanne Horner D’Emilio, JD began her tenure as the sixth President of Gwynedd Mercy University on August 1, 2017. She most recently served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Carlow University–another Mercy-sponsored institution. She assumed the position in July 2014 during a period of reorganization at Carlow, which included an academic transition from six schools and divisions to three colleges. D’Emilio led the University’s efforts to reorganize the academic structure, develop the strategic plan, strengthen programs, promote interdisciplinary approaches, implement process improvements, and optimize resources. She has launched more than a dozen new programs, created a division of Online and Digital Learning, and forged partnerships with corporate, health care, and education entities to benefit students and develop an enrollment pipeline.
Before assuming the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, D’Emilio served as Dean of the School of Management and Dean of the Graduate School at Carlow, successfully leading efforts to strengthen programs, implement process improvements, and optimize resources.
D’Emilio came to Carlow from Mount Aloysius College, where she developed and chaired the Legal Studies program and served as Associate Academic Dean and Division Chair of Humanities, Social Science, and Professional Studies, the College’s largest academic division. Mount Aloysius is another one of the 16 Mercy-sponsored institutions in the United States.
She has been recognized with outstanding teaching and advising awards, and has presented to the Association of American Colleges and Universities on the restructuring of general education at Carlow. D’Emilio also has served as an Arbitrator of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County.
D’Emilio graduated cum laude with a B.A. in education with a minor in religion from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from Bowling Green State University, and a JD cum laude from the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, and did so until 1998, when she began pursuing a career in higher education.
She is married to Matthew D’Emilio, Director of University Contracts Office at Carnegie Mellon University, and they have two grown children.
Pat Murphy, Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation at Marywood University, will remain the Athletic Directors Chair for the next school year.
The functions of the Athletic Directors Executive Committee and the Athletic Directors Chair include reporting to the Athletic Directors Council any business or applicable information, to act for the Council during any period when the Conference is not convened in any regular or special meetings, and to provide guidance to the Commissioner on matters pertaining to the operation of the Conference.
The Athletic Directors Chair is a part of the Athletic Directors Executive Committee which is comprised of three individuals:
- Chair: Pat Murphy - Marywood University
- Past Chair: Chuck Sack - Neumann University
- Vice Chair: Kate Corcoran - Cabrini University
Huntley will continue serving the Atlantic East as its commissioner in 2022-23, her 4th year as the league's chief administrator. Assistant Commissioner Brooke Overly enters her 2nd year with the league office.