Kelly Ryan

President

Eastern Oregon University

Eastern Oregon University’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name Dr. Kelly A. Ryan as the University’s 13th President on May 9, 2023, and she began her tenure on July 1, 2023. Since joining EOU, Dr. Ryan has focused on fulfilling EOU’s strategic plan. In collaboration with the university community, she created a new strategic action plan, Ascent ‘29, that charts the next five years of activities to advance EOU in the key areas of Student Success, Financial Sustainability, Enrollment Growth, and University Life and Welfare. Dr. Ryan is passionate about the power of higher education to transform lives. Her leadership vision places student success and community engagement at the center of her work. Dr. Ryan ushered in a new campus vitality campaign to engage students and combat isolation. Under her leadership, the university has improved student retention rates. Dr. Ryan also enhanced relationships with the community through increased communication streams and engagement, particularly with K-12, non-profits, local government leaders, and the business community. Prior to joining EOU, Dr. Ryan was Interim Chancellor of Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, Indiana. While at Indiana University Southeast, Dr. Ryan also served as Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Coordinator for the Department of History, and Professor of History. Dr. Ryan led university-wide strategic planning processes, improved accreditation practices, oversaw enrollment management, instituted inclusive hiring and teaching practices, and managed the development of academic and noncredit programs and courses. She is the recipient of several awards and distinctions, including the Indiana University Bicentennial Medal and she is a four-time winner of the IU Trustees Teaching Award. Her first love was the practice and teaching of history, and she is the author of numerous publications, including two books: Regulating Passion and Everyday Crimes. She has also provided expertise on colonial America to The Learning Channel’s popular genealogy program, Who Do You Think You Are?. Dr. Ryan grew up in a military family as the daughter of a naval officer and thus spent her youth living in many locations, including Maryland, Maine, Florida, Virginia, California and Hawaii. She and her husband, Adam, enjoy hiking, biking, films, and all the great restaurants they can find.