Glena G. Temple, PhD, serves as the 11th president of Dominican University in River Forest, IL, beginning her tenure in 2021. Under her leadership, the university has experienced unprecedented growth, with record enrollment in freshman classes for three consecutive years and a remarkable 27% increase in total student population since 2021. In 2023, she spearheaded the launch of the Dominican University’s new Chicago Campus, a transformative initiative designed to expand educational access and workforce development for underserved communities in Chicago’s West Side. Dr. Temple led the development of the university’s new 2023 – 2028 strategic plan, prioritizing the university’s enduring mission to impact the social mobility of its graduates, its Hispanic-Serving Identity, continued enrollment growth and engaging community partnerships. She is a distinguished scholar in botany and plant sciences, having published research on diverse topics ranging from bioinformatics education and strengthening undergraduate research to biotechnology and plant and soil health. Prior to Dominican, Glena served at Viterbo University for close to 20 years, holding various roles including faculty, dean, vice president for academic affairs, and president. She was a member of the 2022 Cohort of The Daniel Burnham Fellowship of Chicago and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Chicago Archdiocesan School Board. She is an affiliate of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse, WI.