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Marietta College Board of Trustees Announces Appointment of President Kathleen Dougherty

Marietta, OH (08/12/2025) — The Marietta College Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kathleen Poorman Dougherty as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Marietta College. The Board of Trustees names Dr. Dougherty to the role of President subsequent to her service as Interim President, which began on Jan. 1, 2025. Her appointment to the role of President follows a vote of unanimous support by the Marietta College Board of Trustees.

A dedicated educator and visionary leader, Dr. Dougherty brings over two decades of higher education experience and a proven track record of innovation, student-centered leadership, and strategic growth. Prior to serving as Interim President, Dr. Dougherty served as Provost and Dean of the Faculty at Marietta College, shaping nearly every aspect of academic life.

"The entire Marietta College community is grateful for Dr. Dougherty's exceptional operational leadership and strategic visibility," said Board Chair Dr. Jim Wilson. "Her focus on the future of the College, her ability to deal with the challenges and opportunities facing the College, and her outreach to the campus community and the state's higher education community have been exceptional. Dr. Dougherty understands the challenges and opportunities facing Marietta and is positioned to guide our College into the future. We all look forward to the College's continued success under her leadership."

During her time at Marietta, Dr. Dougherty has led a series of critical planning initiatives, guided an overall review of the College's educational programs, and worked to strengthen relationships both on campus and with strategic partners in the region. These efforts will result in the launch of a new strategic plan later this month that will chart the College's trajectory going forward.

"It is an honor to serve as president of Marietta College," Dr. Dougherty said. "Over the past two years, I have come to treasure this wonderful institution and this community."

"When I first arrived at Marietta, I was deeply moved by the commitment our faculty and staff demonstrate for every student on our campus," she added. "They help to create an education that is truly grounded in human connection and a commitment to helping every student succeed. I'm excited to continue our work together to build a strong future for Marietta College and for future generations of Pioneers. I'm grateful for the Board's partnership and their confidence in my ability to lead Marietta forward."

Dr. Dougherty's outreach to dedicated alumni and friends of the College has helped them to become reacquainted with the brand, mission, and values of Marietta College, as well as the strength of its educational opportunities. Most recently she helped to secure funding to establish the Milone Center for Academic and Career Success, a vital resource for Marietta students. Her work with regional and state government representatives and local business leaders has positioned the College to launch a state-funded Center for Appalachian Innovation this fall.

Mary Korn, former Board Chair, noted, "We are energized by Dr. Dougherty's ambitious vision for the future of Marietta. She is a passionate advocate for student success and a champion of our historic institution and relevant mission. Her experience yields a continuity of leadership, and combined with her tenacity and sophisticated knowledge of academia, will be invaluable as we navigate the complexities of the modern higher education landscape."

Prior to joining Marietta in 2023, Dr. Dougherty was Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Alma College from 2018-2022. Previous appointments include serving as Dean of the School of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences at Mount Mary University and as a department chair at Notre Dame of Maryland University. She also held faculty positions at Bowie State University and George Washington University.

Dr. Dougherty holds a B.A. in Philosophy from St. Olaf College, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Oklahoma. Her areas of scholarly expertise are in moral theory, specifically virtue ethics and the development of the moral self. Her most recent work has focused on the role of forgiveness and personal relationships in the moral life. As an academic leader, she has served on the Council of Independent Colleges' NetVUE Advisory Council, has been an invited participant of the Chief Academic Officers Innovation Community of the Gardner Institute, and completed Executive Leadership Academy through American Academic Leadership Institute.

Board Chair Wilson added that as a native of Ashland, Ohio, Dr. Dougherty has a strong and personal commitment to the state and the Marietta community.

"The Board looks forward to supporting and working with Dr. Dougherty as the College's 21st President," Wilson added.

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