Office of the President

Dr. Steve LaNasa, President

The Board of Trustees of Donnelly College announced the appointment of Steven M. LaNasa, Ph.D., as the school’s sixth president. LaNasa began his position on Sept. 2, after serving as the Associate Dean and Assistant Professor of Higher Education in the School of Education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

LaNasa’s attraction to Donnelly is rooted in his long-standing interest and commitment to college access and opportunity, especially for those students from limited means.

“Donnelly’s faculty and staff are on the
forefront of working with first-generation
and non-traditional college students...”

“Educational attainment and equality are the most pressing issues facing both our region and country now and in the coming decades,” said LaNasa. “I have been tremendously impressed by the support and commitment of the faculty and staff, the Archdiocese and Sisters, as well as the community at large who all ensure Donnelly fulfills its mission to provide students access to the education they deserve.”

“Donnelly’s faculty and staff are on the forefront of working with first-generation and non-traditional college students,” said LaNasa. “The school’s mission and orientation are not only unique to our region, but rank the college among a very small set of institutions nationally that serve students in this way.”

In the last decade, LaNasa has collaborated and published on college access and opportunity for disadvantaged students, and the institutional infrastructure and experiences needed to support student success. Prior to serving in UMKC’s School of Education, LaNasa was Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Planning at UMKC and prior to that served in various administrative roles at George Mason University. LaNasa earned his Doctor of Philosophy from The Pennsylvania State University, while serving in the Center for the Study of Higher Education.

Since relocating to Kansas City in 2003, LaNasa has been active in several educationally related initiatives in the community, including service on the Institute for Urban Education’s Partnership Consortium, on the UMKC Charter Schools Advisory Board, and is a member of the partnership opening the Southwest Early College Campus in the Kansas City Missouri School District. LaNasa also serves on the research advisory board for the National Research Center for College University Admissions.

“I have been tremendously impressed by
the support and commitment of the faculty
and staff, the Archdiocese and Sisters,
as well as the community at large who all
ensure Donnelly fulfills its mission to provide
students access to the education they deserve...”

His interests in the study of higher education and college access made him stand out among the other candidates, according to George Breidenthal,’69, President of the Donnelly College Board of Trustees. “His expert understanding of the educational issues we are trying to address at Donnelly will enable him to serve as an exceptional leader,” said Breidenthal.

LaNasa intends to build upon the great work of President Ken Gibson, Ph.D., who consistently moved Donnelly forward in many ways during his nine-year term, most significantly by leading the college to offer its first bachelor’s degrees and a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program.

"Dr. LaNasa will make an excellent president for Donnelly College,” said Gibson. “He has a big heart and I think his presence at Donnelly will both inspire and motivate. I expect great things for Donnelly under his tenure.”

Kevin Kelley, Ph.D., Donnelly’s Interim President and Dean of Instruction, believes LaNasa possesses an excellent blend of administrative and academic preparation. “His research and applied experience will strengthen Donnelly as we continue to develop new academic programs and expand our campus."

The Board of Trustees is excited to continue the momentum generated by recent additions of a residence hall and Donnelly’s second academic building on campus.

“This appointment marks an exciting moment in the history of Donnelly College. Dr. LaNasa’s experience and expertise, combined with the recent enhancements to the programs offered by the college, situate Donnelly for a very bright future,” said Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, who serves as an ex-officio member on Donnelly’s Board of Trustees, as well as on the corporate board.