Alisa Macksey, dean of student success and the First Generation Initiative, has announced that she will be departing from Saint Mary’s on July 5. Macksey will continue her service to Lasallian Catholic-based higher education as she steps into her new role as vice president for mission, diversity, and inclusion at La Salle University in Philadelphia.
During her seven years at Saint Mary’s, Dean Macksey advanced one of our signature efforts that directly aligns with our mission and enrollment goals. She joined Saint Mary’s in 2015 as the executive director of the First Generation Initiative. In this role, she led the development and growth of the program, engaging private philanthropy and academic support to help more than 75 scholars in achieving their undergraduate degrees. In 2019, Macksey assumed the role of dean of Student Success and First Generation Initiative, integrating FGI and student academic support services across the university. She restructured the department and collaborated with academic affairs and student affairs to bolster student retention, playing a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saint Mary’s President Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., added, “While leading the Student Success Center and the First Generation Initiative, Alisa’s work has been excellent. She has shown her deep experience of Lasallian education at Saint Mary’s. This is a great opportunity for Alisa as she advances her career and continues to serve Lasallian Catholic higher education. We thank her for her commitment to our students and our mission, and wish her the best in her new role.”
Macksey said, “I am grateful for my time at Saint Mary’s, where I have worked alongside wonderful colleagues and with inspiring students. I’m excited to have the opportunity to continue to work within the Lasallian mission at one of our sister universities.”
Dr. Matthew Gerlach, interim provost, will be working with Dean Macksey over the coming weeks to coordinate the transition and develop a plan to fill this critical leadership role.
