College of St. Benedict President Mary Dana Hinton will step down at the end of the academic year to become president of Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, on Aug. 1.
Hinton started as St. Ben’s 15th president in July 2014.
In a statement, the college cited Hinton’s commitment to making St. Ben’s a more welcoming community for all people. Her work to increase and institutionalize diversity and inclusion efforts on campus was central to the college receiving two grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support transformational inclusion.
During Hinton’s tenure, a $43-million facilities update added Schoenecker Commons, new athletic fields, renovations to the Main Building and updates to Clemens Library.
Hinton led the development of the college’s first strategic plan in partnership with St. John’s University.
With Hinton as president, the college completed a $100 million fundraising campaign, securing $105.4 million as of January 2020, the largest campaign in college history.
Through a variety of celebrations this spring, the college will recognize Hinton and the ways she has enhanced the St. Ben’s community.
The college’s Board of Trustees has retained Academic Search Inc. to assist in the selection of the next CSB president.
