Colleen M. Hanycz, PhD, currently serves as president of Xavier University. Colleen M. Hanycz, PhD, was appointed the 35th President of Xavier University on July 1, 2021, the first layperson and first woman President since Xavier's founding in 1831. Prior to her Xavier appointment, President Hanycz served presidential terms at both La Salle University in Philadelphia (2015-2021) and Brescia University College in London, Canada (2008-2015).