Leadership

Joseph J. Foy, Ph.D., serves as the thirteenth president of Benedictine University. Prior to his appointment at Benedictine in July 2023, Foy served as Interim President at Alverno College (Milwaukee, WI), where he previously served as the Vice President of Academic Affairs. He has prior administrative experience in private, Catholic higher education, serving as Dean of the Faculty at Marian University (Fond du Lac, WI), and in public higher education serving as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Associate Campus Dean, and statewide department chair in the University of Wisconsin Colleges.

Before transitioning into administration, Foy taught a variety of courses as a tenured faculty member in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and University of Wisconsin-Waukesha where he was recognized with the UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor’s Award for Excellence (2016, 2010), the Barringon-Musolf Award for Faculty Research (2010), and the Arthur M. Kaplan Award for Excellence in Teaching (2009). In the summer of 2002, Foy performed research on the impact of democratization efforts in deeply divided societies as a Manatt Fellow for Democracy Studies at the International Foundation for Election Systems in Washington, D.C.

Foy earned a bachelor’s degree, with honors, in Political Science and International Relations from Carroll College (Helena, MT). He also holds a master’s degree in Comparative Politics and International Relations, and a Ph.D. in American Government and Comparative Politics from the University of Notre Dame (South Bend, IN).

Foy is the John G. Cawelti award-winning editor of Homer Simpson Goes to Washington: American Politics through Popular Culture (2008) and SpongeBob SquarePants and Philosophy: Soaking Up Secrets Under the Sea (2010). Foy also co-edited Homer Simpson Marches on Washington: Dissent through American Popular Culture (2010), Homer Simpson Ponders Politics: Popular Culture as Political Theory (2013), and Jim Henson and Philosophy: Imagination and the Magic of Mayhem (2015). Foy has authored or co-authored thirty-five essays on political and philosophical themes in popular culture and entertainment media, American government and politics, and student success. He has also been an invited contributor, providing political analysis on American presidential politics to the New York Times. His most recent publication, co-authored with Dr. Timothy M. Dale (University of Wisconsin-La Crosse), “Reimagining Personnel Processes: Supporting Instructors Committed to Student Success,” was published in Radical Reimagining for Student Success in Higher Education by Routledge (2023). In 2010 he was invited as a Distinguished Lecturer to speak on the impact of entertainment and mass media on American political culture and behavior at the Clinton School for Public Service at the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, AR.

In 2016, Foy received certification as a Multicultural Awareness Program Diversity and Inclusion Facilitator by VISIONS, Inc. He has served on the editorial advisory board of the Journal of Popular Culture (Michigan State University), and PI and co-PI on several institutional grants. In 2007, Foy and his little brother were recognized by Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the “Male Match of the Year.”

Joseph is married to Kristi Nelson-Foy, a labor and employment attorney with the law firm of Ogletree Deakins. They have three children.

View Photos from Installation Event – March 4, 2024

NCTV17 Article and Video from Installation Event

Only the 13th president in Benedictine’s 137 year history
Lisle, IL (March 4, 2024) – Benedictine University inaugurated Dr. Joseph J. Foy as its thirteenth President March 4, 2024, at an on-campus celebration called “Legacy and Leadership.”

The day began at 9:00 a.m. with the Presidential Investiture Ceremony in the Auditorium of the Daniel L. Goodwin Hall of Business on the Benedictine University campus. During the Investiture Ceremony, the new president assumed the articles of office. The event featured campus musicians, student leaders, and remarks by Sr. Andrea Lee, Staff Chaplain of the University of Notre Dame, and Katherine Donofrio, Chair of Benedictine’s Board of Trustees.

The culmination of the Investiture Ceremony was Dr. Foy’s Inaugural Address, a portion of which follows:

“I see students accessing a Benedictine education while still in high school through dual and concurrent enrollment programs, and adult learners who are finding opportunities to upskill and earn certifications and credentials in fields like Artificial Intelligence and Renewable Energy that will help them make that next step toward their passionate and productive purpose.

I see a Benedictine University in which we work in direct partnership and collaboration with local businesses and service agencies to reset the narrative around the value of higher education. Through these partnerships, I see a university with classrooms that extend beyond walls and limitations; classrooms that are the community, with experiential and signature student work that engages integrative and generative learning to solve local, national and global problems in real-time while growing as leaders.

That is why I am proud to announce a new presidential innovation fund that was started through incredibly generous support of Board members and benefactors who have given us resources to capitalize on emergent opportunities without sacrificing the stability of ongoing operations.”

The Investiture Ceremony was followed by an Installation Mass at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. The Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks, sixth bishop of the Diocese of Joliet presided.

Following the Installation Mass, a reception for the Benedictine community took place in Goodwin Hall. The Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and students participated.

The Inauguration of President Foy coincided with the 137th anniversary of the founding of Benedictine University. Benedictine University was established by the Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey on March 2, 1887. The University bears the name of St. Benedict of Nursia, father of Western monasticism.

President Joseph J. Foy

Upon his appointment, Dr. Foy pledged to remain faithful to Benedictine’s distinctive mission and vision—to be a thought leader in Catholic higher education and to provide a transformative and integrative educational experience grounded in Benedictine values and respect for all faiths and cultures.

Prior to his appointment at Benedictine in July 2023, President Foy served as Interim President at Alverno College (Milwaukee, WI), where he previously served as the Vice President of Academic Affairs. He has prior administrative experience in private, Catholic higher education, serving as Dean of the Faculty at Marian University (Fond du Lac, WI), and in public higher education serving as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Associate Campus Dean, and statewide department chair in the University of Wisconsin Colleges.

Before transitioning into administration, Foy taught a variety of courses as a tenured faculty member in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and University of Wisconsin-Waukesha where he was recognized with the UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor’s Award for Excellence (2016, 2010), the Barringon-Musolf Award for Faculty Research (2010), and the Arthur M. Kaplan Award for Excellence in Teaching (2009).

Foy earned a bachelor’s degree, with honors, in Political Science and International Relations from Carroll College (Helena, MT). He also holds a master’s degree in Comparative Politics and International Relations, and a Ph.D. in American Government and Comparative Politics from the University of Notre Dame (South Bend, IN).

The Board of Trustees is composed of respected and influential members of the communities Benedictine University serves. It manages the affairs of Benedictine University.

Norman Allgood

Maureen Beal

Christopher E. Birck

Bruce Bronge

Claudia J. Colalillo

Joseph J. Foy, Ph.D.

Nicholas S. Giuliano

Donna Hrozencik, M.D.

Ray Konopka

Nelson Koopman, Ph.D.

Paul J. Lehman

Anthony McCain

Becky Meggesin

James L. Melsa, Ph.D.

Marcie Mills

Tasneem A. Osmani

Deborah Pagel

Sarah Peacey, Ph.D.

Leonard S. Piazza, M.D., FACS

Roberto Ramirez

Daniel F. Rigby

Aheed Siddiqi, M.D.

Michael S. Siurek

Sister Sharon Marie Stola, OSB

Rosemary Macko Wisnosky

Gregory Ziols

Dr. Julie Dockery – Chief Diversity Officer

Dr. Peter Huff – Chief Mission Officer

Mark McHorney – Interim Chief of Advancement

Karen Campana-Schaller – Chief Enrollment and Marketing Officer

Brian Qualizza – Vice President of Finance and CFO