St. Catherine University names Marcheta Evans as its next president

Becomes first Black president of the 119 year old university

March 22, 2024

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St. Catherine University in St. Paul, commonly known as St. Kate’s announced Wednesday that its 12th president will be Dr. Marcheta Evans, currently the chancellor of Bloomfield College of Montclair State University in New Jersey.

Evans, who will be the university’s first Black president, will step into the position July 15, about a month before current president Koenig Roloff retires after eight years of leading the private university founded in 1905 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

“We were impressed with Dr. Evans’s demonstrated commitment to and experience with advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for students, faculty and staff,” Jean Wincek, chair of the board of trustees, said in a press release.

At Bloomfield College where she was the 17^th president for four years, the incoming St. Kate leader made history there as well as its first Black president.

Her career in academic leaderships spans 30 years including time spent in Malawi in a USAID sponsored initiative working with educators and counselors on literacy.

Dr. Evans received a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in rehabilitation counseling, both from the University of Alabama. She also has a master’s in elementary education from the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Her doctorate degree, which focused on administration in higher education and human resource management, is from the University of Alabama.

“St. Catherine University’s commitment to empowering women and promoting social justice aligns with my own dedication to fostering inclusive and purpose-driven academic environments,” Dr. Evans said in the same press release.