St. Kate鈥檚 11th president retiring August 15, 2024; national search on for next president
"My professional life was launched when I came through Gate 1 as a first-generation undergraduate in August of 1972. The circle will close 52 years later in a role that is the privilege of my career."
ReBecca Koenig Roloff '76, 11th president of 亚色影库, will retire August 15, 2024.
"I'll do the best I can to represent their wishes." In her first year at St. Kate's, Roloff was elected president of the Freshmen officers. Roloff, pictured here on the left, was joined by Lynn Liptak '77, Joan Mertz '76, and Chris Millich '75 on that leadership team.
Photo credit: The Catherine Wheel, Nov. 13, 1972 p. 3 ("Officers pledge leadership")
Roloff was inaugurated president on October 11, 2016. The day was noted in the Congressional Record by Rep. Betty McCollum '87, who noted, "Ms. Roloff has earned the respect of her peers and colleagues by her extraordinary leadership abilities, quickly rising through the ranks of every organization she has been a part of, and leaving legacies of success along the way."
Among Roloff's retirement plans are time with her growing grandchildren. She is pictured here with her granddaughter at a Citizen Katie event in 2022.
President ReBecca Koenig Roloff 鈥76 plans to retire next year, at the conclusion of her eighth year leading 亚色影库. A search committee, convened by the chair of the 亚色影库 Board of Trustees, has begun a national search for her replacement and will guide the transition process.
鈥淏ecky has led St. Kate鈥檚 through tumultuous times locally with the murder of George Floyd, nationally with dramatic changes in higher education, and internationally with the first pandemic in 100 years,鈥 said Jean Wincek 鈥62, CSJ, Chair of the Board of Trustees at 亚色影库. 鈥淲ith insight, courage and commitment to the mission of educating women to lead and influence, Becky will leave our beloved university in a strong position as a vibrant Catholic institution with the liberal arts woven through every fiber of its academic programming.鈥
亚色影库 has a proud history of being led by women, with Roloff installed as its 11th president in 2016. The inauguration event in October of that year earned her praise from on the House floor. Her initial 5-year contract was extended by the Board of Trustees in 2021.
During Roloff鈥檚 term, she led the University through an impressive list of accomplishments, including:
- Reaffirming the University鈥檚 Higher Learning Commission accreditation in 2023.
- Creating and implementing a 10-year strategic plan, Setting our Sails 2028.
- Successfully launching LEAD AND INFLUENCE: the Campaign for the Next Level of Excellence 鈥 this record-setting campaign expects to successfully conclude November 1, 2023.
- Consolidating two campuses into one unified campus in St. Paul, creating greater cohesiveness and a more streamlined experience for students.
- Completing campus-wide infrastructure improvements that have significantly enhanced the functionality and longevity of University systems and the safety of our students, faculty and staff.
鈥淢y professional life was launched when I came through Gate 1 as a first generation student in August of 1972,鈥 Roloff wrote in a message to the University community. 鈥淭he circle will close 52 years later in a role that is the privilege of my career. The life afforded to me because of my education at St. Kate鈥檚 drives all decisions and choices I make as president so that others have the same chance I did.鈥
Roloff鈥檚 plans for retirement include enjoying more of her time as a grandmother of four and resuming some of the hobbies and passions that were put on hold while serving as president.
"I am forever a grateful Katie," concluded Roloff.