Dr. Chris E. Domes became the sixth president of Neumann University on July 17.

“I am tremendously grateful to the Neumann University Board of Trustees and the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for placing their trust in me to succeed Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, a nationally respected leader in Catholic higher education,” said Dr. Domes. “I know that I have big shoes to fill, and I am eager to build on her legacy at Neumann.”

Mirenda, who had been Neumann’s president for 21 years and had served in various capacities at the university for 44 years, retired on July 16.

“During my visits to campus, I was struck by the energy and passion for the mission of Neumann University,” said Dr. Domes. “Together with the Neumann community, I am confident that we will continue to meet the unique opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

Dr. Domes comes to Neumann University from Silver Lake College, a Catholic Franciscan institution in Manitowoc, Wisc., that offers undergraduate programs in a School of Liberal Arts, School of Professional Studies, and School of Education.

Dr. Domes holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University and two degrees from St. Bonaventure University: an M.S.Ed. in Counseling Psychology and a B.A. in History and Secondary Education.

In other Neumann University news, Eric R. Wellington has been appointed dean of the Division of Business and Information Management.

Dr. Wellington comes to Neumann from Delaware County Community College in Media, where he has held positions of increasing responsibility during the past 20 years.

Most recently, he served as chief academic officer (2015-2017) and associate provost (2013-17). In those capacities, he was responsible for ensuring the integrity of all the institution’s academic offerings, managing a multimillion-dollar budget, recruiting and retaining academic faculty and staff, and leading all aspects of academic strategic planning. He also led all academic departments in developing plans for online learning, developed training plans for staff on a variety of technology systems, and helped develop marketing efforts for increasing online course enrollment.

Wellington earned his doctorate in higher educational administration from Capella University, his master’s degree in communication studies at West Chester University, and his bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Youngstown State University.