Michael D. Bromberg is the new president of the Benedictine University Springfield branch campus, according to a May 13 announcement by the Benedictine board of trustees. Bromberg has served as dean of Academic Affairs at the Benedictine Springfield branch since July 2007, and as the school's chief executive officer since 2012. Bromberg reports to William J. Carroll, president of Benedictine University.

Benedictine University in Lisle partnered with Springfield College in Illinois (SCI) in 2003. The school was founded by Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union in 1929 as Springfield Junior College, and later became Springfield College in Illinois (SCI), a two-year institution that served the Springfield community for nearly 75 years. The partnership with Benedictine University in Lisle evolved, culminating in a decision in 2009 to expand the Springfield campus to a four-year institution offering a full range of academic programs.

"This past December the university board of trustees approved an aggressive strategic plan for the Springfield branch campus. This plan lays out some fundamental changes intended to deal with the unique nature of our community and the evolving character of our campus," Bromberg said. "My primary responsibility will lie in identifying and managing the internal and external resources necessary to accomplish the challenges laid out in our strategic plan."

In a news release Carroll praised Bromberg's leadership over the last six years. "This title change recognizes the work Mike has done in moving the university forward and provides a more recognizable presence in the Springfield community as we grow the institution," said Carroll.

"The Benedictine board of trustees' vote in 2009 to establish its Springfield branch campus as a four-year institution was not a business decision but a mission decision," Bromberg said. "It took courage and a kind of commitment that we would all like to see more of. As a four-year institution we have an obligation to provide for careers, for preparation should students choose to go on to graduate school, or to a profession school."

A 2011 management model for Benedictine allows the Springfield campus to operate within the framework of the larger institution, "while giving local control to people on the Springfield campus, who would know the Springfield community best and be able to develop the program here to serve the Catholic community," said Bromberg.

Bromberg said when the partnership was established, enrollment was less than 300. Enrollment last fall was 981.

A native of Boston, Bromberg has been in higher education 39 years, 17 of which were as chief financial officer of two different institutions. He came to Benedictine from Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio.

"I am not a Catholic, but Catholic higher education is ... a mission that is very meaningful," Bromberg said. "The Catholic Church has a rich intellectual tradition that is very attractive. The peace and justice movement of Catholicism is something that all faiths should aspire to. Catholic higher education has always provided a rich environment for intellectual inquiry. Once I entered Catholic higher education, it was just a wonderful match."