Sister Mary Eileen O'Brien

President, Dominican College
Orangeburg, NY

Sister Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D. is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt and President of Dominican College.  She has dedicated herself to education and congregational excellence and leadership for over 50 years.  This heartfelt commitment has served to inspire and guide the many people whose lives she has touched through her service.

Sr. Mary Eileen earned a doctorate degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Fordham University and holds a master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education from Teachers College of Columbia University and a master’s in Mathematics from Manhattan College.  She received a bachelor of arts in English from Dominican College.  She is the recipient of numerous honors acknowledging her education and community service and leadership, among them:  Journal News / Junior Achievement:  Business Person of the Year, Rockland Employment Network: Lifetime Achievement Award, Helen Hayes MacArthur Award, Annual Award: Rockland Economic Development Corporation (REC), Women Pioneers in Education (CEJJES) Award, Dominican College Hall of Fame and Our Lady of the Rosary Leadership Award from the New York Archdiocese.

Sr. Mary Eileen began her educational career in the Bronx, NY where she was raised.  She taught mathematics at St. Benedict’s School and at St. Pius High School before serving as the principal of St. Luke’s School in the South Bronx.  In 1977, she was called upon to assist her mentor and former teacher, Sr. Natalie Casey, the President of Dominican College, Sr. Mary Eileen’s Alma Mater.  She was elected to serve as College President in 1979 and remained in that position until she was elected to a six-year term as President of the Sisters of St. Dominic (1987-1993).  She was chosen to serve again as President of the College in 1997.

Dominican College currently serves over 1,700 students offering undergraduate programs, master’s programs in teacher education, occupational therapy, nursing, and business, as well as doctoral programs in physical therapy and nursing.

In addition to her dedication to Dominican College and the Sisters of Saint Dominic, Sr. Mary Eileen is active in her local, regional, and national community.  Some of her current involvements include:  Helen Hayes Advisory Board, Caldwell College’s Board of Trustees, Rockland Business Associations Board of Directors, Council of Independent College’s Board, The Commission of Independent Colleges and Universities’ Board, Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, President’s Council; Dominican Higher Education Council, Chair;  Lower Hudson Valley Catholic Colleges and Universities Consortium, President’s Council; Rockland County Business Association, Board Member.

Sr. Mary Eileen also participates actively in the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, and the National Association of Independence Colleges and Universities.

Sister Mary Eileen’s relationships serve to link the College with the world beyond the campus and have brought her affection, concern, educational strengths to a regional and global community.