As president of the University of St. Joseph, Rhona Free has transformed the once all-women’s college into a co-ed institution.
Free’s strategy, implemented in 2018, aimed to increase enrollment and bring more opportunities for both sexes on campus. Early evidence has shown it is working as the school has increased its undergraduate enrollment by nearly 10% over the last four years, with men now making up nearly 25% of the undergraduate population.
Free also recruited some high-profile staffers, most notably renowned UConn men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun, who helped launch USJ’s men’s basketball program. He stepped away from coaching last year.
As sports is a major draw for any college campus, last fall USJ opened a new $16 million athletics venue for men’s and women’s basketball and student use. In the last few years the school launched six Division III men’s teams in basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming/diving and tennis. This spring, it will launch its Division III men’s baseball program.
During her tenure she has also championed the creation of the Women’s Leadership Center, transited USJ from five schools to three and launched the physician assistant studies program.
Free came to USJ from Eastern Connecticut State University, where she served as vice president for academic affairs from 2007 to 2013, and provost from 2013 to 2015.