Mount Mary University president Isabelle Cherney announced Wednesday that she plans to retire on June 30, 2027, when her five-year contract ends.

Cherney, a native of Switzerland who became the university’s 13th president in July 2022, said she plans to step down to spend more time with her family.

During her tenure, Mount Mary, a women-only Catholic school located on Milwaukee’s west side, introduced reduced-credit bachelor’s degree programs, becoming the first university in Wisconsin to offer them. The university also expanded academic offerings in workforce-focused fields, including business analytics, digital marketing, cybersecurity, web development and computer science.

The university recently received a $1 million grant to expand its Health Science Skills Laboratory, which provides hands-on training for students preparing for careers in health care.

In 2023, Mount Mary launched the Institute for the Advancement of Women and Children, which offers programs and resources focused on supporting women academically, professionally and personally, and was a priority that Cherney outlined in her inauguration speech.

“Serving as president of this extraordinary university has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Cherney in the announcement. “Mount Mary is truly a special place, grounded in faith, committed to justice, and dedicated to the flourishing of each student. I am deeply grateful for the work we have accomplished together, and the shared hope we hold for what comes next.”

Before joining Mount Mary, Cherney held leadership positions at Merrimack College in Massachusetts and Creighton University in Nebraska. She also participated in four White House conferences during the Obama administration related to her research, the announcement notes.

“Since her arrival four years ago, (Cherney) has worked collaboratively with the Mount Mary community to keep sharing the story of our successful students who dream beyond what they thought possible,” said Sue Bellehumeur, chair of the Mount Mary University Board of Trustees. “Stepping onto our beautiful campus and talking with students helps us all see the positive impact she has made, and the lives she has helped change during her time at the university.”   

The university’s Board of Trustees has hired a search firm to begin the process of selecting Mount Mary’s next president. Additional details about the search are expected in the coming weeks.