St. Edward’s University appointed Mary K. Boyd, PhD as its new vice president for Academic Affairs. This position leads all the university’s academic affairs and their curriculum, the Office of Career Services, and the Office of Academic Planning and Support Services. Boyd, who previously served for five years as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of San Diego, officially started on Jul. 1.

Boyd comes with fresh ideas and plans to change some aspects of the University.  

“We’ll be forming a number of working groups or task forces to look at different areas of academic affairs,” said Boyd.  “Staff, faculty, and students will be invited to be part of these groups.”

Boyd reports directly to the president of St. Edward’s University, George E. Martin, and will work closely with him and the administrative staff to ensure the academic plans for the university are properly instituted and achieved.  She will also be working with the Student Government to find the best way to implement these plans by using tools like surveys and focus groups.

“As soon as I read that New York Times article about the CAMP program, I knew St. Edward’s was the place for me,” said Boyd. “I love how committed the university is to provide an opportunity of college education to migrant students.”

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) assists students who are migratory or seasonal farmworkers enrolled in their first year of undergraduate studies.  As the university with the longest, continuously serving program of CAMP in the nation, the CAMP at St. Edward’s has assisted more than 2,700 students since 1972, with thirty-five students chosen annually to participate in the program.

“This program speaks to the enormous commitment St. Edward’s has to its students,” said Boyd.  “An institution that was this invested to this program was enormously appealing to me.”

Boyd graduated from the University of Toronto with a bachelor’s and doctorate degree in Chemistry. In the beginning of her career, Boyd focused in teaching Organic Chemistry, her favorite subject, but as time went on she began working with different disciplines.  Thanks to funding from the National Science Foundation, she focused in providing more opportunities to students who were traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, such as women and African American students.  

She has indicated her excitement with how diverse the Student body is in St. Edward’s.  

“I’ve heard she is an avid social media user and I think that’s great way communicate with the students,” said Rosalinda Ocañas, a second-year student and also part of the CAMP program.

“I really want to get to know the students. If they see me on campus, they should stop me and say hello and tell me about themselves,” said Boyd.