Bellarmine University's president, Dr. Susan M. Donovan, is one of Louisville Business First's
20 people to know in education.
The list is a collection of front-line employees and top-level executives who are new to their positions, according to the weekly newspaper. Donovan became Bellarmine's fourth president last year.
In the publication's profile of Donovan, which requires a subscription to view, she addressed conversations happening in society about the value of higher education: "I am passionate about higher education and how it responds to societal needs," she said. "Higher education develops students into leaders and good citizens. No one can convince me that this is not a worthwhile and noble pursuit. This is why access and a level playing field is so important in our communities."
She also discusses student achievement, partnerships between the education and business sectors, and bias in standardized testing.
The list also featured these Bellarmine graduates:
- Rick Blackwell, a member of the Louisville Metro Council and incoming president of DeSales High School
- Joe DeSensi, president of Educational Directions, LLC
- Sarah Peace, incoming president of Mercy Academy
Additionally,
Phyllis Clark, associate vice president for student affairs and dean for student success at Simmons College of Kentucky, is a doctoral candidate in Bellarmine's Leadership in Higher Education program.