About
Kathleen O’Leary is the Carroll College Vice President of Student Engagement. In this role, O'Leary provides leadership in the strategic development, implementation and evaluation of Carroll’s enrollment plan, retention, net tuition revenue, marketing, housing, security, and dining. She also provides leadership and direction in developing strategies to articulate and incorporate Carroll’s Mission into Carroll’s strategic vision and opportunities for integrating the mission into campus initiatives. Additionally, she is the administrative representative to student government and other student committees and boards.
Prior to Carroll, she served as the Interim President of Dawson Community College in Glendive. Montana. O’Leary has a strong background in Montana higher education in addition to leadership roles in state and local government. Her time at Dawson Community College also included serving as the Executive Director of Finance followed by Vice President of Administration for DCC from 2013-2017.
Following her initial tenure at DCC and prior to being appointed the interim president, O’Leary relocated to her hometown of Helena. During this time, she served as the Deputy Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry from 2019-2021 helping them navigate through the very challenging 2020 pandemic where the services provided by the agency were at historic levels.
“The motto of Carroll College is so appropriate; 'Not for School but for Life!' To be able to work on this campus serving the students as their adventure unfolds is such an honor. ”
O’Leary received her Masters of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, NE in 2019, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Dickinson State University in Dickinson ND in 1996 and an Associate of Arts degree from Dawson Community College in 1993.