Immaculata University’s Board of Trustees has announced the extension of the contract for President Barbara Lettiere ’72. Serving as the 10th president of the 100-year-old university, Lettiere is entering her fifth year in office and is the first lay president of the Catholic university.
Sister Mary Ellen Tennity, IHM, General Superior of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary said, “The IHM Congregation applauds the leadership of President Lettiere in her intentional strategy of keeping the IHM legacy and mission in the forefront of her collaboration and decision-making that positions Immaculata University to embrace the ever-changing higher educational landscape.”
Immaculata has benefitted from many advancements during Lettiere’s stewardship. She is responsible for stabilizing the university’s finances and constructing new buildings, such as the IHM Student Center, an eight-lane athletic track at Draper Walsh Stadium and the current construction of the donor-funded Parsons Science Pavilion. On the academic side and under her leadership Immaculata implemented 15 new programs and 20 new programmatic partnerships which provide more opportunities for student development and success.
“As I look toward the future, I cannot help but reflect back on the last four years of my presidency in appreciation to all who have supported me and the university,” states Lettiere. “My focus has always been on the students, and I will continue to make them the top priority of Immaculata University.”
“Barbara navigated us through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Through her leadership, she and her team transformed the entire University, changed how we interact and educate, while maintaining a vibrant, financially stable community,” said Peggy Behm ’81, chair of the Immaculata University Board of Trustees.
Barbara Lettiere ’72
Before becoming president of Immaculata, Lettiere served as vice president for finance and administration at Trinity Washington University until 2013. She spent most of her professional career at Bell Atlantic Corporation holding various positions within the operations, marketing and finance sectors. In 1992, she became vice president/treasurer at Bell Atlantic before assuming the presidency of Bell Atlantic Federal Systems for five years where she helped secure the largest government contract ever awarded to Bell Atlantic.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Immaculata, Lettiere continued her education earning a master’s degree in economics and statistics from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA in Decision Sciences and Finance from Rider University.