“Fr. Fleming is ideally suited to serve as president of the university. He is a dynamic and visionary leader who possesses a keen knowledge of the university and, obviously, the Jesuit values on which it was founded and continues to operate.” said Mimie Helm, chairman of the university’s board of trustees.

 

She added, “In his three years as a senior member of the university’s administration, Fr. Fleming has forged close relationships with faculty, staff and students, as well as political and community leaders throughout the state. He has been instrumental in guiding the development and implementation of the university’s long-term strategic plan, while taking on key operational responsibilities. Fr. Fleming is distinctly qualified to build on the momentum generated in recent years and to lead the university’s continued growth as one of the nation’s best liberal arts institutions.” 

 

Fleming, 53, joined Wheeling Jesuit University in 2010 as the institution’s first vice president for mission and identity and then chief of staff. He became executive vice president in 2012. He previously served as director of mission planning and assessment for Boston College and was a member of that faculty from 2000–2010.

 

At Wheeling Jesuit, he has overseen the university’s operations; focused on strategic leadership for program development, implementation and assessment; and led university-wide collaboration on new initiatives. He is the author of numerous articles and publications, and holds a doctorate in education policy, organization, measurement and evaluation from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a native of Lowell, Mass., and a priest with the New England Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).