Dr. Mary Ann Gawelek served as President of Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio 2016 to 2022; Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania from 1996 to 2016; and Dean of Counseling Psychology and Expressive Therapies at Lesley University in Boston, Massachusetts from 1984 to 1996. Understanding the benefits of shared governance, she is appreciative of faculty and staff who are committed to institutional mission and furthering the work of assuring access, affordability and success for students. An advocate for liberal arts education that is integrated into professional studies, Dr. Gawelek earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and her M.Ed. and Ed.D. in counseling psychology from Boston University. Her scholarship focuses on gender equity, diversity and enhancing the learning experience through the integration of technology.
With over 30 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Gawelek served as a Department Chair, Chief Academic Officer, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Provost, President and a faculty member teaching traditional undergraduate and working adult students, as well as graduate students. Under her leadership Dr. Gawelek led the development of doctoral programs in nursing, a free-standing orthodontics program, partnerships with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine allowing students direct entry into medicine, dentistry or pharmacy and undergraduate studies in exercise science, sports management, craft beverages and holocaust studies. She established mobile technology programs geared to expand and enrich the learning experience.
A believer in strategic operations, Dr. Gawelek developed multiple strategic plans with successful goal completion. She has also facilitated successful national institutional accreditations through the Middle States and the Higher Learning Commission. Understanding the power of athletics in developing individuals, she expanded Lourdes’ athletic program to include esports, bowling, tennis, dance and women’s wrestling.
Dr. Gawelek has been instrumental in strengthening community relationships at each campus in her career, strengthening partnerships within the business, non-profit, educational and governmental sectors. She has served on multiple community boards, most recently as President of the Board of Directors for the Sylvania Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Gawelek is a fellow of American Psychological Association’s Division 35, Society for the Psychology of Women. In 2005, she received the Athena Award for professional excellence, community service and mentoring of women. In 2011, she earned the Council of Independent Colleges Academic Officer Award.
Dr. Gawelek has traveled extensively, most recently to Ireland and Italy with upcoming trip to Poland. She loves spending time with her family, which includes her golden retriever Cody Quinn and reading a good mystery novel. Dr. Gawelek joined Tiffin University’s Board of Trustees in 2023.