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09/11/2024 08:30 AMIf there is one word Judy Olian can use to describe her time as president of Quinnipiac University (QU), it is “inspiring.” Why is that?
“Because the people—whether they're faculty, staff, or the students—have inspired us in different ways and have enabled our results that we've accomplished. Without them, it wouldn't have happened,” Judy says.
In August, Judy announced that she was stepping down from her presidency at QU at the end of the 2024-’25 academic year. In an interview with The Courier, she reflected on the many accomplishments and developments which have taken shape under her leadership.
Judy appreciates how having an outstanding support team helped her realize her goals. From the university’s student body to its Board of Trustees, Judy says that it is “impossible” for an individual’s goals to be achieved without the supportive strength of the best people one can ask for by your side.
“You can dream up all kinds of dreams as a president, but if you're not surrounded by people who believe in them, who are energized by them, who want to execute them, who have the confidence in the future of institutions, you're just whistling Dixie, and you can't do what you dream of,” Judy says. “We’ve been able to do so much of what we've dreamed of because of the inspiration that all goes around us.”
Judy recalls the “selfless” and “gratifying” support which was demonstrated during the pandemic, along with the innovation brought by new staff members, the growing inclusiveness of the student body, and success of QU athletics. This includes when the men’s ice hockey team clinched its first-ever NCAA Division I championship in program history in 2023.
Under Judy’s leadership, which has lasted six years thus far, the university has added 59 new academic programs, 16 new certificate programs, and has hired around 170 faculty members, many of whom have been recognized on the state and national levels in their respective fields.
Judy says that there are “too many” examples to name in regard to what makes QU a great institution. However, she points to a statistic which is not merely a simple data point. Rather, it speaks volumes to her about how positively prospective undergraduates view the school.
“This year indicates that 63% of our entering class undergraduates selected Quinnipiac as a first-choice institution,” she says. “That tells you that people really see Quinnipiac today as a highly desirous institution. They're excited to be here. It shows on the first day of class.”
In light of the university’s achievements which she has overseen, Judy says that she’s decided to step down at a time when the “institution is on a trajectory for the future” which ensures “great successes.”
In the meantime, for her final year as president, Judy plans on seeing through a “full and busy year ahead,” including upholding and driving forwarding QU’s “The University of the Future” strategic plan.
Prior to her leadership at QU, Judy was in leadership positions at the University of Maryland; Pennsylvania State University; and the University of California, Los Angeles. Sure, the always sunny climate in the southern part of the Golden State is vastly different to Connecticut, and the student population diminishes in numbers from Los Angeles to QU. However, for Judy, what distinguishes QU from the other universities are the close relationships fostered between them and the type of faculty which comes with a smaller-scale institution, as well as the high levels of civic engagement and personal transformation in students.
In particular, the latter two aspects stem from the results forged by dedicated higher-education leaders. This is why Judy got involved vocationally in the field.
“We transform lives in a way that keeps on giving for the rest of individuals lives,” she says. “There is nothing more gratifying and fulfilling than that kind of enablement of transformation.”
Through numerous opportunities and with “brains and brawn,” Judy has seen the generosity of QU students in their support of the North Haven community’s senior population and high school and middle school athletes. She is also proud of the university's work with the Town of North Haven through financial support of its fire department and inclusive playscapes.
Judy and her family plan to live part-time in Connecticut and remain closely connected with QU after she leaves her post next year. Judy co-chairs the non-profit AdvanceCT, through which she supports the “business thinking” worldview of the state through strategies geared towards “greater economic attraction and retention.”
“I have other engagements that are civic engagements that I wanted to continue. I wanted to stay engaged with Quinnipiac, and we like the region, and we have friends,” she says.