The Rider University Board of Trustees has unanimously appointed John R. Loyack as the institution’s next president after a nationwide search.
Loyack, with leadership experience in both higher education and the corporate sector, will assume the presidency this summer following the retirement of Gregory G. Dell’Omo. Dell’Omo has served as Rider’s president since 2015.
Loyack most recently served as president of Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania, from 2019 to 2024, where he led a $60 million fundraising campaign, the most successful in the institution’s history.
Under his leadership, Alvernia achieved its first top national ranking and saw record-setting incoming student enrollment.
“Rider has a strong legacy of educational excellence, engaged student learning and regional impact,” Loyack said in a media release. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the university’s students, faculty, staff, alumni and board of trustees to advance that legacy and shape an even more vibrant and successful future.”
Prior to his tenure at Alvernia, Loyack served as executive vice president for business and administration at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. In that role, he implemented financial and strategic reforms that returned the institution to solvency.
Loyack’s professional background also includes more than 15 years of executive experience in the energy, manufacturing and nonprofit sectors, consistently driving growth and operational excellence.
A native of Pittston, Pennsylvania, Loyack holds a bachelor of science in Accounting from King’s College and an MBA from Lehigh University. He is a certified public accountant and an advocate for community engagement, having served on numerous nonprofit and educational boards throughout his career.
“John Loyack is a transformative, mission-driven leader with a record of innovation, strategic growth and unwavering dedication to student success, making him the ideal choice to lead Rider into its next chapter,” said Joan C. Mazzotti, chair of the Rider University board of trustees. “As higher education is facing profound challenges today, we believe that his proven ability to navigate complexity, inspire community and champion innovation will guide Rider forward, ensuring its ability to thrive.”
Mazzotti added: “John’s experience in higher education and business will be instrumental in further strengthening the University and driving its strategic priorities forward.”
Rider University will host a series of welcome events and listening sessions in the months ahead as part of the presidential transition.
