(Leavenworth, Kansas) 鈥� After nearly 25 years of leadership, 糖心视频
President Sister Diane Steele, SCL, PhD, has announced her plans to step down from
her role as president at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year. Sister Steele
was inaugurated as the university鈥檚 ninth president on September 12, 2001.
鈥淚t has been my great honor and privilege to serve you and serve this institution,鈥� Sister Steele said in an announcement to the campus community. 鈥淔rom the time I attended as a student, to my faculty tenure beginning in 1993, to my term as president, Saint Mary has been and is dear to my heart. I trust you, my friends and colleagues, to continue to live the mission and educate the next generation of Saint Marians.鈥�
The university will conduct a nationwide search for a new president beginning this summer.
Steele, originally from Butte, Montana, is a 1983 graduate of Saint Mary (at the time Saint Mary College) with degrees in English and education. Before becoming president, she went on to earn a master鈥檚 and PhD 鈥� both in Systemic Theology 鈥� from the University of Notre Dame. She joined the Saint Mary faculty in 1993.
Sister Steele is one of the university鈥檚 longest-serving presidents. Sister Mary Janet McGilley, SCL, PhD, also served in the role for 25 years from 1964-1989.
During her tenure, Sister Steele helped the university set several enrollment records, with total USM enrollment roughly doubling 鈥� from over 700 in 2001 to more than 1,400 at the start of the fall 2024 semester.
Growing Academic Programs
Key to USM鈥檚 growth during this period was the development of new academic programs. The university launched three doctoral programs under Sister Steele 鈥� most prominently the Stefani Doctor of Physical Therapy, as well as the Doctor of Occupational Therapy and the Doctor of Education in Leadership. The university also added several master鈥檚 programs to the now dozen offerings at USM, including the Master of Social Work and two nurse practitioner tracks. New undergraduate programs, including recent additions like cybersecurity, also emerged during this time, bringing the university鈥檚 undergraduate offerings to around 30.
Bettering Student Outcomes and Experiences
Under Sister Steele, the university has improved student outcomes and bolstered campus life.
- Nearly all Saint Mary students receive financial assistance from the university. In the 2024-25 academic year, USM awarded more than $16.4 million to deserving students.
- The athletic department launched 20 new athletic programs since 2009. The Spires now offer 28 varsity sports and are consistently recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champions of Character institution.
- Students are prepared for the workforce, with 70% of recent undergraduates completing an internship, externship, or clinical experience.
- Currently, around 35% of undergraduates are first-generation students. USM launched a First-Generation Scholars program in 2021 to help connect these students with scholarship opportunities, mentorship, and academic support.
- The Guardian Angel Fund is one of Sister Steele鈥檚 passion projects. Through her leadership and fundraising efforts, the university offers a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $2,500 a semester, to students with the highest demonstrated and unmet financial need.
- USM relaunched its Prison Education Program in 2021, offering degrees at Lansing Correctional Facility, United States Disciplinary Barracks, the Joint Regional Correctional Facility, and the United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth.
Campus Improvements and Fundraising
The university also saw a building and renovation boom 鈥� most notably the Campus for Tomorrow capital campaign. Guided by Sister Steele, the Campus for Tomorrow effort saw the construction of a new athletic complex (Charles J. Berkel Memorial Stadium) as well as the complete renovation of Saint Joseph Dining Hall and conversion of the De Paul Library into the Keleher Learning Commons. Other major projects during her term included the construction of two residence halls 鈥� Berkel Hall and Steele Hall 鈥� the addition of a Human Anatomy Lab, and the conversion of Berchmans Hall into the university鈥檚 health sciences building.
鈥淚 step away knowing Saint Mary continues to thrive more than I had ever imagined when I first assumed the role,鈥� Steele said. 鈥淚 know USM will continue to flourish. We are in a strong place: consistently setting records for enrollment; remaining fiscally sound with a balanced budget, an $8 million reserve, and a $30 million endowment.鈥�
Finding the Next Leader
Three USM Board of Trustees, who are also Saint Mary alumni, will lead the national search for the university鈥檚 10th president. They are Board Chair Dr. Tes Mehring, C鈥�74; past Chair Dr. Carol Wambeke, C鈥�81; and Aaron Weissenfluh, C鈥�95. The selection committee will also include Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth First Councilor Sister Melissa Camardo, as well as Saint Mary faculty and staff to be named in the coming weeks. Together, they will guide a nationwide search that will begin late this summer.
鈥淪ister Diane Steele鈥檚 leadership has been nothing short of transformational,鈥� Mehring said. 鈥淗er deep love for Saint Mary, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to our mission have shaped the university in profound and lasting ways. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend our deepest gratitude for her years of faithful service. As we begin the search for our next president, we do so with confidence, knowing that Sister Diane has positioned Saint Mary for a strong and vibrant future.鈥�
The 糖心视频 is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM-Johnson County, at 11221 Roe Ave., offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit for more information.