Holy Cross College President Marco Clark appointed John McKiernan, J.D. as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, a senior leadership role that will support the College’s continued growth and operational development.
McKiernan will begin his role in May and will serve as a member of the President’s Executive Council, working closely with President Clark and senior leadership to strengthen the College’s operational infrastructure and advance its strategic priorities.
“John brings a thoughtful, mission-driven approach to leadership and a deep understanding of Catholic higher education,” Clark said. “He has demonstrated an ability to bring people together across divisions and help institutions translate strategic priorities into meaningful progress.”
McKiernan currently serves as Chief of Staff to the President at Wilmington College, where he supports institutional strategy and coordinates the work of the President’s Cabinet. He has also served as Interim Chief Financial Officer, overseeing budgeting, financial planning, and audit processes.
Earlier in his career, McKiernan held leadership roles at Loyola University Maryland and Yale Law School and served in residence life leadership positions at both Seattle University and the University of Notre Dame.
McKiernan holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a law degree from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Scranton, and a postgraduate diploma in theology from the University of Oxford.
Reflecting on his upcoming role, McKiernan said he was inspired by the sense of community he experienced during his campus visit earlier this month.
“I come to Holy Cross at a time when there is so much physical, academic, and enrollment growth happening at the same time,” McKiernan said. “I’m deeply inspired and called by its strategic mission, momentum, and vision. Together with Dr. Clark, we will catalyze the College’s operational strength and move toward our goal of cementing Holy Cross as a premier Catholic higher education institution.”
As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, McKiernan will oversee finance, human resources, information technology, and campus operations as the College continues its period of growth.