Gwynedd Mercy University President Deanne H. D’Emilio was recently featured in a Philadelphia Business Journal article celebrating several achievements and looking towards the future as the university enters its 75th year.

In September 2023, GMercyU made a jump of 71 spots on the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges list, making it the sixth largest jump in the nation.

President D’Emilio attributed this jump to U.S. News & World Report’s new methodology, which focused more on outcomes such as graduating students from various backgrounds, including first-generation students, and how well those students do after graduating.

“We’re focused on definitely increasing our capacity for bringing students in,” shared President D’Emilio with PBJ. “Our vision is to be a Catholic university leader in professional and health care education.”

To increase Gwynedd Mercy’s capacity, President D’Emilio shared the exciting news of the groundbreaking for the new 65,000-square-foot Frances M. Maguire Healthcare Innovation Center.

Additionally, she shared news of other capital projects including the newly renovated Loyola Hall, including indoor and outdoor renovations, and new baseball and softball fields.

Despite the downward enrollment trends post-pandemic, President D’Emilio is looking toward the future of Gwynedd Mercy by creating and developing new, innovative programs that meet market needs.

One such program is the launch of a scholarship and loan forgiveness initiative in partnership with St. Luke’s University Health Care Network. Students following this path receive money from both institutions in exchange for employment at St. Luke’s post-graduation.

As President D’Emilio and campus leadership look towards the future, she is in the midst of develop a new strategic plan, with a focus on enrollment, programming partnerships, and workforce development.

“We just want to see a continued increase in the number of new students and retention,” she shared with PBJ. “Then we’re just going to keep working on those new innovative programs that are responsive to what the needs are and what the students are looking for. That’s really what the goal is.”

Read more about the Gwynedd Mercy president’s role in skyrocketing the school’s rankings in the Philadelphia Business Journal.

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