Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D. — Ninth President (2015–2025)
Dr. Joseph R. Marbach was Georgian Court's first male and first lay president. Under his leadership, the university launched thirteen new academic programs, including its first doctoral degree, along with the Mulcahy Institute for Social Justice, the Center for Professional Studies, and an esports program. He also added two Division II sports, baseball and acrobatics & tumbling. In 2022, he negotiated the sale of 42 acres of underused land, allowing the university to reinvest in its future.
Rosemary E. Jeffries, RSM, Ph.D., '72 — Eighth President (2001–2015)
Sister Rosemary Jeffries brought both religious and secular leadership experience to the role, shepherding Georgian Court through its transition from college to university status in 2004 and leading its shift to a fully coeducational institution in 2013. She also spearheaded the largest fundraising campaign in university history to that point — the Campaign for Georgian Court, which raised $17.2 million against an original $15 million goal.
Barbara A. Williams, RSM, '63 — Seventh President (1980–2000)
The second-longest-serving president in university history, Sister Barbara Williams modernized the college's operations, creating its first Office of Human Resources and computerizing administrative offices. She brought Georgian Court's athletics program to the national level and guided a period of major growth — new academic programs, new accreditations, a larger endowment, and renovated and newly constructed campus spaces — as enrollment doubled during her tenure.
Maria Cordis Richey, RSM, Ph.D., '50 — Sixth President (1974–1980)
Sister Maria Cordis Richey oversaw the reinstatement of the business administration major and the founding of the Center for Christian Concerns in 1977. Under her direction, the Casino Ballroom became the "Court Café" and Campus Club became the Music Center.
Mary Stephanie Sloyan, RSM, Ph.D., '39 — Fifth President (1968–1974)
Sister Mary Stephanie Sloyan led the college into the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund program for disadvantaged students and navigated a turbulent era in higher education, convening administrators, faculty, and students to address the Kent State shootings, the Vietnam War, and calls for changes to student life policy. During her tenure, the college also paid off the debt to the Diocese of Trenton it had incurred in purchasing the Gould estate.
Mary Pierre Tirrell, RSM, '30 — Fourth President (1962–1968)
Sister Mary Pierre Tirrell appointed the college's first male academic dean in 1967 and granted its first honorary degree in 1963.
Marie Anna Callahan, RSM, Ph.D., '12 — Third President (1948–1962)
Sister Marie Anna Callahan oversaw the introduction of a major in elementary education in 1951 and the launch of a campus division in Atlantic City in 1957.
Mary John Considine, RSM, '12 — Second President (1940–1948)
Sister Mary John Considine had served as dean of the college since its founding before becoming president. Her tenure saw the purchase of the Kearney House, which opened as Campus Club in 1940–41, and the college's first official personnel handbook. In 1941, she became the first woman to receive an honorary degree — a Doctor of Letters — from Fordham University.
Mary Cecilia Scully, RSM — Founding President (1908–1940)
Sister Mary Cecilia Scully was the first and longest-serving president of Mount Saint Mary College, which would later become Georgian Court College and, eventually, Georgian Court University. During her three-decade tenure, the college's Card Party (1925) and Spring Musicale (1926) traditions began, and the Students' Chapel bell was dedicated in her honor in 1937.
