Marist College Names Weinman New President

POUGHKEEPSIE – Kevin Weinman, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer at Amherst College, has been named the fifth President of Marist College following a unanimous vote of its Board of Trustees. The Board acted upon the unanimous recommendation of the college-wide Presidential Search Committee. Weinman will take over the role from President Dennis J. Murray, who has led Marist for nearly 40 years.

“Kevin Weinman is a dynamic and inspiring leader who combines the best of the liberal arts tradition and professional practice,” said Ross Mauri ’80, Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “He has a highly collaborative approach to governance and a truly impressive breadth of experience as a senior administrator, strategist, communicator, and scholar. In addition, Kevin has also shown himself to be a charismatic and caring leader with a deep commitment to diversity, inclusion, and educational opportunity. He’s the right person at the right time for Marist, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the Marist community.”

A member of Amherst’s senior leadership since 2013, Weinman serves as a close advisor to President Biddy Martin. He has broad financial and administrative responsibilities, overseeing the areas of finance, investments, shared services, information technology, and the College’s 49-room Inn and associated dining and banquet business. Weinman has been a vital partner in the development and execution of Amherst’s strategic plan and $625 million capital campaign. He instituted rigorous and inclusive financial planning and budgeting processes that helped Amherst achieve key priorities in student life and wellbeing; diversity, equity, and inclusion; academic support; new academic and residential facilities; and a comprehensive climate action plan. He has brought Amherst through the financial challenges of the pandemic while maintaining the college’s Aaa credit rating.

Said President Martin, “In Kevin Weinman, Marist will have an exceptionally talented leader and a gem of a human being. I feel fortunate to have had him as a colleague and partner over the past eight and a half years, and I’m delighted that he will have the opportunity at Marist to combine his commitment to the liberal arts with his interest in professional education. He has made major contributions to Amherst. We will miss him terribly, but we join the Marist community in our excitement about his appointment to the presidency. Marist has struck gold.”

“I believe the Board of Trustees has made an excellent decision in choosing Kevin Weinman as Marist’s next president,” said President Murray. “Kevin understands the challenges facing private higher education and has the vision, skills, and experience to help the College thrive in this environment. As a student of leadership, I see in him many of the best qualities of great leaders: intellectual rigor; the ability to make personal connections and build consensus; integrity; optimism; compassion; and most importantly, good judgement. Kevin has what it takes to lead Marist to new heights.”

Prior to his position at Amherst, Weinman served as Assistant Vice President, Finance at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. In that role, he directed a team of analysts and coordinated institution-wide efforts across all divisions, schools, and auxiliaries to create and maintain Dartmouth’s $1 billion annual operating budget and long-range financial plans.

“I am both humbled and honored by the opportunity to lead this exceptional institution. I have long admired Marist’s academic excellence, outstanding reputation, and values-based mission,” said Weinman. “I’m also drawn to its enduring commitment to the liberal arts and the way in which its innovative curriculum prepares today’s students to meet tomorrow’s needs. Marist has been extremely well managed, and I look forward to continuing this responsible financial stewardship while maximizing the use of resources to advance the College’s mission. I look forward to immersing myself in life at Marist and to engaging with all the members of the Marist community: students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, friends, as well as partner institutions in the Hudson River Valley. Working together, I know we can continue the remarkable success Marist has enjoyed and expand upon it. Beth and I are extremely excited to join this special community and get to know the Poughkeepsie area.”