Regis Board Elects New Chairperson

The Regis College Board of Trustees has elected Joan C. Shea, MBA, MSW, of Melrose as its next chair. Her term began January 1.

Shea is currently Deputy Comptroller and Chief Information Officer for that office in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Previously, Shea ran Shea Solutions, Inc., a professional services firm providing strategic and managerial consulting to public and non-profit industries. She has been a member of the Regis College Board since 2008 and began her second term on the Board in January, 2012.

“Having worked in both the private and public sectors throughout her career,” said Regis College President Antoinette Hays, PhD, RN, “Joan Shea has already brought a wealth of financial, management, and human resources knowledge to our growing university. I am very pleased about her election as our new Board chair.”

A graduate of the Newton College of the Sacred Heart, Shea earned her two Master’s degrees in business and social service administration from the University of Chicago in 1978. Among many accomplishments in her career, she has developed systems infrastructure for City Year and designed and implemented management systems for a variety of entities. Shea spent seven years in the Arthur Young consulting practice and was the Director of Government Consulting for New England. Shea also teaches as an adjunct instructor at Sawyer School of Management at Suffolk University.

"It is an honor to be elected Chair of the Regis Board," said Joan Shea, "and to have this opportunity to help advance the mission of Regis College. With the College’s implementation of a strategic plan including building up a global footprint, creating new academic and industry partnerships, and rolling out a Master Plan for development of the west campus, it’s an exciting time at Regis. I am eager to work with Board colleagues, faculty and staff during this time of growth."

Outgoing Board chair Donna M. Norris, M. D., who served as Chair for three years, noted that “Joan Shea possesses a mastery of systems and keen insight into the changing times for all social institutions, including those of higher education. As chair of the Board Facilities Committee she has been central to the Master Plan process and an active, strategic participant in Board decision-making, and Joan is very well equipped,” Dr. Norris continued, "to guide the Board as it guides the College toward completion of its transformation in the changing times of higher education.”  

Regis College is a Catholic co-educational community that prepares undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students for engagement and service in a changing world. In the School of Liberal Arts, Education and Social Sciences and the School of Nursing, Science and Health Professions, approximately 2000 students are enrolled in 19 undergraduate majors; 28 minors; 12 interdisciplinary pathways toward professional success; an accelerated bachelor’s degree in medical imaging, and master’s degree programs in applied behavioral analysis, education, communication, biomedical science, heritage studies, health administration, professional writing, regulatory and clinical research management, nursing, and two doctoral programs:  nursing practice and higher education leadership. With a strategic graduate focus on health care, Regis College was recently named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League of Nursing for the second time. The College also provides accredited pre-school and kindergarten programs and a Life Long Learning Program (LLARC) for retired seniors. Visit Regis on the Web at www.regiscollege.edu.