Notre Dame of Maryland University earns national leadership award

Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Board of Trustees was honored with a 2025 John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership recognizing higher education governing boards that demonstrate exceptional leadership and initiative. 

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges named five Nason Award winners from a national pool of nominations representing four-year public and private colleges and universities, two-year institutions, and institutionally related foundations.

“Notre Dame’s board of trustees is accelerating the university’s strategic goals to provide an inclusive transformational education for our students,” said Dr. Marylou Yam, president of Notre Dame of Maryland University. “Indeed, with the board’s strategic thought leadership, Notre Dame has achieved historic new student enrollment, fundraising and endowment records.”

Guided by the Going Beyond: Vision 2025 strategic plan approved by the board, Notre Dame launched new academic programs. The additions included the first doctorate in occupational therapy to be offered by a private university in Maryland (and only the second in the state) and the first master’s degree in physician assistant studies to be offered by a private university in Maryland, according to a news release. 

The university engaged in an innovative partnership with Brightview, an independent senior-living developer. The partnership will establish a senior-living community on NDMU’s property. Additionally, NDMU acquired the Maryland University of Integrative Health which, when approved, will become a new School of Integrative Health at NDMU. 

“The board of trustees worked in partnership with the president to deliver on the goals of the Going Beyond: Vision 2025 strategic plan, truly going above and beyond to support the university’s mission,” said School Sister of Notre Dame Patricia McLaughlin, chairwoman of the NDMU Board of Trustees. “That collaboration has taken the university to new heights, and the entire Notre Dame community – the faculty, students, administrators and alumni – is our constant inspiration as we deliver on our mission to educate leaders to transform the world”

Fram Virjee, AGB president and CEO, said effective governance is at the heart of “transformational leadership” in higher education. 

“This year’s Nason Award honorees exemplify the power of visionary boards to navigate complex challenges, foster innovation and strengthen institutional impact,” Virjee said. “These governing boards have set a high standard for leadership, demonstrating a deep commitment to their students, communities and missions. I am inspired by their achievements and confident their efforts will serve as a beacon for others across higher education.”

Recipients of the 2025 awards were recognized at AGB’s Foundation Leadership Forum (Jan. 29-31) and will be honored again at the National Conference on Trusteeship (March 31-April 2). The Nason Award is named for higher education leader John W. Nason, a former chairman of the National Japanese American Student Relocation Council who helped more than 4,000 interned college students continue their studies across the nation during World War II.

In addition to increased academic offerings, NDMU shifted from an all-women’s undergraduate university to a completely co-ed one in 2022.

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