Mount Mary Hires Isabelle Cherney As President

Mount Mary University announced Wednesday that Isabelle Cherney will replace Christine Pharr as president.

Cherney was previously vice provost for graduate education at Merrimack College in Massachusetts and held multiple positions at Creighton University. She will be Mount Mary’s 13th president.

The new president holds a Ph.D in educational psychology and culture studies from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Her academic research has focused on STEM education and career pathways.

“Dr. Cherney’s professional accomplishments reflect her deep appreciation for educating the whole person, the importance of life-long learning, the Catholic intellectual tradition and charisms, the promotion of peace, social justice, truth, global citizenship and the common good,” said Board of Trustee President Stephanie Russell in a statement. She oversaw the presidential search along with trustee Mary Jo Layden.

“I am well prepared to continue to refine, update, implement and assess Mount Mary University’s bold strategic plan and expand and build on its pillars of strengths,” said Cherney. “I am excited at the prospect of being able to shape the goals around women’s education to inspire and transform not only women, but society as a whole.”

Pharr announced the 2021-22 school year would be her last in September. Cherney’s first day will be July 1.

“I am choosing to retire so I can be closer to family,” said Pharr in announcing her retirement. “This is not a decision that I take lightly because of my deep love for Mount Mary and how much I have enjoyed serving as president.” She has led the university since 2017. In recent years, the university has added Trinity Woods, an intergenerational housing complex, and converted an unused swimming facility into a new nursing complex.

Cherney’s hiring is in many ways a return home for her family. Her husband is a Milwaukee native. He, along with a number of extended family members, went to schools led by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Mount Mary’s sponsoring organization. Cherney’s sister-in-law is a Mount Mary graduate, as is a niece.

“I am particularly excited at the prospect of collaborating with the surrounding community partners and creating ways for them and alumni to be engaged in the institution’s life,” she said. “I bring diverse people together to work on a common vision and goals and persuade everyone to work collaboratively.”

The new president herself is a native of Switzerland and fluent in four languages.

The private university reports having 1,200 students, including 639 female undergraduate and 561 co-ed graduate students, according to its website. It is located on an 80-acre campus on Milwaukee’s Far West Side.