Mildred Mihlon has officially been appointed the 7th president of Felician University by a unanimous vote of the board of trustees on Wednesday.
Mihlon, who has been serving as acting president since April 2023, brings nearly 25 years of higher education leadership experience to the position, with a background in Catholic-based institutions as well as Hispanic- and minority-serving institutions.
“We are excited and fortunate to have Dr. Mihlon’s leadership going forward. She has a highly accomplished background in higher education, a steadfast dedication to the mission of Felician University and has demonstrated exceptional skill in academic leadership during her tenure as acting president,” Jim D’Agostino, chair of the Felician board, said.
Mihlon joined Felician University as the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences in September 2020, during the global pandemic. She brought a clear and articulated academic vision and energy to the university and secured the most substantial U.S. Department of Education grant in the university’s history.
A search process was conducted by a presidential search committee, led by Trustee Joseph Boccassini, which attracted strong candidates from across the country. Mihlon was selected among three finalists.
“I am grateful and honored to lead this incredible learning community into the future. Felician’s mission is strong, and it is an important time in our history. Established by the Felician Sisters and the only Catholic Franciscan university in New Jersey, we are building upon a solid reputation for excellence, commitment to student success and cutting-edge programs for developing competence and character in the workforce of tomorrow,” Mihlon said.
Prior to Felician, Mihlon served as associate vice president for academic affairs & assessment at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City. She received her Ph.D. from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York in educational psychology with a concentration in learning, development and instruction.
