St. Bonaventure University recognized the successful completion of the second cohort of BonaLeads: President’s Leadership Academy this spring, marking another successful year for the leadership development program launched by President Jeff Gingerich and his wife, Betsy.

BonaLeads was launched in 2024 to develop the leadership potential of faculty and staff members across the university. The program prepares participants to support St. Bonaventure’s mission and strategic vision more deeply by strengthening relationships across campus, increasing transparency, and encouraging collaboration across divisions and departments.

“BonaLeads has been a tremendous success in its first two years,” said Gingerich. “Betsy and I have been grateful for the opportunity to get to know these colleagues in a deeper way and to see their leadership, creativity and commitment to St. Bonaventure in action. The program has helped build stronger connections across campus, and we are excited to take what we have learned and continue strengthening BonaLeads for the future.”

With two cohorts now complete, the Gingeriches, along with co-facilitators Dr. Jack Steger and Lindsay Retchless, will spend the 2026-27 academic year analyzing program data, gathering feedback, reconnecting with participants from cohorts 1 and 2, and exploring opportunities to expand and strengthen BonaLeads in the years ahead.

The third cohort of BonaLeads: President’s Leadership Academy will be announced in spring 2027 for the 2027-28 academic year.

Participants in the 2025-26 BonaLeads: President’s Leadership Academy cohort included:

• Chris Cartmill, Financial Aid
• Dr. Adrienne Foos, School of Business
• Tim Geiger, Technology Services
• Seth Johnson, Athletics
• Dr. Darla Kent, DePerro School of Health Professions
• Dr. Matt King, School of Arts and Sciences
• Jonathan Mascaut, Student Success Center
• Molly Moretti, Career & Professional Readiness Center
• Angela Nelson, Events & Conferences
• Dawn Parisella, Human Resources
• Gary Segrue, Safety & Security
• Jared Smith, Finance & Administration
• Sarah Wolcott, Athletics
  

“Programs like BonaLeads reflect our belief that leadership exists throughout the university,” Gingerich said. “As we look ahead, we want to be thoughtful about how the program continues to grow, how we support past participants, and how we create even more opportunities for faculty and staff to lead in ways that advance our mission.”

About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #6 for value and #14 for innovation by U.S. News and World Report (2024).