HELENA, MT — Carroll College and Dr. William Ruud, who was scheduled to begin his tenure as president on July 1, 2025, have announced that, due to unforeseen events, he will be unable to assume the role of president of the college.
Dr. Ruud expressed deep appreciation for the Carroll community and is grateful for the warm welcome and support he received throughout the search process. However, he is stepping away to focus on personal matters that will require his full time and attention in the months ahead.
The Carroll College Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Jennifer Glowienka, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Bishop Austin Vetter, Bishop of the Diocese of Helena, to serve as Interim Co-Presidents for the 2025–26 academic year. The Board has full confidence in this leadership team and is committed to ensuring a smooth transition while continuing to advance Carroll’s strategic objectives.
“Carroll is entering a new chapter,” said Father Patrick Beretta, Chair of the Carroll College Board of Trustees. “Dr. Glowienka and Bishop Vetter offer strong, complementary leadership and a deep understanding of our mission. This is a pivotal time for the institution, and their combined experience positions us well to meet the challenges ahead. We are confident in their ability to lead Carroll with clarity, compassion, and strategic focus.”
The Co-Presidency model reflects Carroll’s commitment to collaborative leadership, institutional stability, and thoughtful stewardship during a year of significant institutional work.
In the year ahead, Carroll College remains focused on strengthening academic excellence, advancing financial sustainability, and supporting long-term accreditation goals.
About the Interim Co-Presidents:
- Dr. Jennifer Glowienka — Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Carroll College since July 2021. A member of the Carroll faculty since 2003, Dr. Glowienka brings over two decades of experience in academic leadership and teaching. She holds a Ph.D. in evolutionary botany from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a B.S. in biology from Boise State University. Her previous roles at Carroll include Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Assistant Dean of Instruction, and Chair of the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences. She was named the James J. Manion Endowed Chair in the Biological Sciences in 2018 and received Carroll’s Distinguished Scholar Award in 2008. Dr. Glowienka has helped secure over $1.5 million in external grants, served as the college’s accreditation liaison officer, and remains deeply committed to Carroll’s Catholic, liberal arts mission.
- Bishop Austin Vetter — Bishop of Helena since 2019, Bishop Vetter brings a lifelong dedication to faith-based education, pastoral leadership, and spiritual formation. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Cardinal Muench Seminary and continued his theological studies at the Pontifical North American College and the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Ordained a priest in 1993, he has served in numerous leadership roles, including Rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck and Director of Spiritual Formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome (2012–2018). As Bishop of Helena, he has played a key role in stewarding the Diocese’s mission, overseeing strategic planning, parish development, and clergy support, while advancing initiatives that align with the Church’s long-term goals. His work reflects a deep commitment to responsible leadership, mission-driven fundraising, and strengthening Catholic education and community engagement across the region.
Dr. Glowienka and Bishop Vetter will be available for comment after July 1 to discuss Carroll’s priorities and direction for the year ahead. The college will provide further updates at the appropriate time, including developments related to presidential leadership beyond the interim period.
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