Dr. Alan R. Miciak
EVP and Former Boler College Dean Dr. Alan R. Miciak Succeeds Dr. Michael D. Johnson as JCU President on June 1
With a goal to ensure the continued long-term prosperity of John Carroll University and ongoing great student outcomes, the University today announced a transition in Presidential leadership, with Dr. Alan R. Miciak, Executive Vice President and former Dean of the Boler College of Business, succeeding Dr. Michael D. Johnson, effective June 1.
“I have greatly enjoyed my time at John Carroll University and am proud of everything we have accomplished,” said Dr. Johnson. “I have been fortunate over my academic career to have served in multiple roles in higher education, as a professor, a dean, a provost, and a president. The most rewarding experiences in each of these roles has been the time spent with students and academic colleagues learning and collaborating, which is the heart of academic life. I look forward to the next chapter in my journey focusing more on these experiences. As I turn my attention to new and exciting opportunities, I can’t think of a better person to transition leadership to than Al Miciak. Al’s leadership has been integral to the success of the Boler College of Business and John Carroll University, and we are fortunate to have a leader of his caliber take the helm. I wish him great success in his new role.”
A veteran of nearly 20 years of Catholic higher education leadership, Dr. Miciak will become John Carroll’s 26th President. Prior to his current role, Dr. Miciak served as the John M. Boler Dean of the Boler College of Business at John Carroll since 2015, where he drove enrollment growth, strategic investment, and program innovation.
“The Board saw in Dr. Miciak a unique opportunity to engage a highly-qualified new leader from within who has a proven track record at John Carroll to steer the University through the next stage of its transformation,” said Bill Donnelly, Chair of the John Carroll Board of Directors. “Working closely with Michael, Al has shown a clear vision and plan for propelling the University to 2050 and beyond with a renewed focus on the student experience.”
Under Dr. Miciak’s leadership, the Boler College of Business developed new programs and facilities across its schools and departments, and secured three significant naming gifts, part of $25 million raised in the college’s Inspired Lives campaign.
“As President, my single focus will be to ensure each student receives the right mix of academic challenge, experiential opportunity, and personal formation,” said Dr. Miciak. “I look forward to working with our outstanding faculty, staff, and the entire John Carroll community to put our full focus on the well-being and success of our students.”
Dr. Johnson became the 25th President of John Carroll University in May of 2018, when he also joined the Boler College of Business as a professor in the department of Management, Marketing and Supply Chain. He will continue to hold that position while on sabbatical during the 2021-2022 academic year.
“Michael’s leadership, service, and development of the University’s Strategic Plan have set John Carroll on the right path for continued institutional greatness and outstanding student success,” said Donnelly.
During his time at John Carroll, President Johnson has focused his efforts on the University’s successful academic accreditations, fundraising, strategic planning, successfully managing through the unprecedented uncertainty of COVID-19, cost restructuring, and working with student government to identify capital projects and improving facilities important to students.
“I am proud to have been the leader of John Carroll and to have played an important role in helping students distinguish themselves academically and professionally,” said Dr. Johnson. “I believe this University will always remain a pivotal Jesuit University and stand apart as a special place.”
Dr. Miciak added, “Michael Johnson’s leadership has shown the way through a time of significant change in higher education. The quality and value of a John Carroll education remains excellent, as the great success of our alumni demonstrates. I am thankful for having the opportunity to work with Michael and am humbled by the faith that the Board has shown in me to lead this great institution toward an even better future.”
During his time as Dean, Dr. Miciak emphasized expanded collaboration between the business program and John Carroll’s College of Arts and Sciences. Initiatives included interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship collaborations in STEM and Social Ventures, and the expansion of 5th year pathways to the MBA program.
Under Dr. Miciak’s leadership, employer demand continued to build for John Carroll’s talented graduates. The University’s reputation for career preparedness has been recognized by Bloomberg Businessweek as the best in the country. John Carroll University graduates had a 77.1% pass rate for first-time takers of the CPA exam in 2019, ranking first in the state of Ohio and 27th for large programs nationally.
“We believe that Al’s leadership will put JCU on a dynamic course for the future,” said Donnelly. “JCU has strongly delivered on its Jesuit Catholic mission and it remains one the top liberal-arts educational values in the Midwest. As a Board, we are so excited for the future of John Carroll under Al’s leadership.”