Dr. Abagail L. “Abby” Van Vlerah, an innovative leader and student success champion, became the 15th president of Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) on July 6, 2026. Dr. Van Vlerah brings more than 20 years of higher education experience, including more than a decade in senior leadership positions with service as an academic dean, chief operating officer, and vice president.
She came to NDMU from Manchester University in Indiana, where she was vice president for student success and institutional strategy leading student services, athletics, academic support and operations, and mental health delivery. She created a health sciences recruitment plan focused on strengthening undergraduate-to-graduate pipelines, expanding collaborations with industry partners, and enhancing visibility in regional markets that grew enrollment by 40%. She also played a pivotal leadership role in developing Manchester’s comprehensive strategic plan, ensuring the plan reflected institutional values and included metrics tied to student success, enrollment, and financial sustainability.
Dr. Van Vlerah joined Manchester in 2019, previously serving as vice president for student life and interim vice president for enrollment and marketing. As vice president for student life, she initiated a holistic retention strategy that increased first-year retention by 7% within a year. She also led the university-wide COVID-19 response, prioritizing safety and academic continuity through innovative, student-centered adaptations for in-person learning. As interim vice president for enrollment and marketing, she developed a comprehensive recruitment and marketing strategy that increased first-time, full-time enrollment by 6% using targeted branding and lead generation.
Previously, she served at Long Island University as the dean and chief operating officer for the Suffolk Regional Campuses and the dean of student life and student success. She has also held roles at Bowling Green University in Ohio, Mercy College in New York, Trine University in Indiana, Saint Mary’s College in Indiana, and the University of Wyoming.
An engaged community leader, Dr. Van Vlerah has served as vice president of both the North Manchester Historical Society and Steuben Regional Lakes Waste District, board member of the United Fund of Wabash County, and member of the Madeleva Society Steering Committee at Saint Mary’s College.
As a first-generation student, she is passionate about teaching first-generation students how to navigate their way through the difficulties of attending college and understands firsthand the challenges that today’s students are facing. She is also an avid motorcyclist, runner, and travel enthusiast.
She holds a Ph.D. in American cultural studies from Bowling Green State University, a master’s degree in American studies from the University of Wyoming, and a bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s College.