John R. Broderick, eighth presidentJohn R. Broderick has served as the eighth president of Old Dominion University since 2008.
As president, he guides the University's six colleges, more than 10 economic development and research centers, and numerous partnerships with government, military and business organizations and agencies. He oversees an operating budget in excess of $526 million and more than 2,500 faculty and staff members. More than $338 million in new buildings and building renovations have been authorized or completed on his watch.
His leadership on campus has resulted in several initiatives to position Old Dominion as Virginia's forward-focused, public doctoral research university, efforts which have also attracted attention at the state and national levels. Broderick serves as one of six college presidents on the Governor's Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment, and in 2012 was appointed to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Council of State Representatives. Additionally, the university has been named a Chronicle of Higher Education's "Great Place to Work" for two consecutive years.
Shortly after becoming president, Broderick introduced a University-wide initiative to set a new standard for student success and student learning, which included a $10.2 million Student Success Center and Learning Commons and the creation of a vice president position and division for student engagement and enrollment services. Additionally, he has led efforts to keep the university affordable and accessible, while maintaining academic standards. He was awarded the 2012 American College Personnel Association's Contribution to Higher Education Award, one of the national organization's highest honors, for his leadership in student success initiatives.
To support his vision of Old Dominion as a leader in local and statewide economic development and the go-to solutions provider for Hampton Roads and beyond, the University launched the ODU Business Gateway as a business-friendly entry point to the University, and the Innovation Foundation to streamline processes by which the University, its faculty and its students can participate in commercial endeavors.
Broderick's pursuit of parity in state funding and responsiveness to legislative calls for more efficiency, affordability and access in higher education have led to historic levels of state funding for Old Dominion and several of its initiatives, in particular modeling and simulation, bioelectrics, increased STEM degrees and online programs, and student financial aid, among others. Over the past two years, Old Dominion received more than $30 million in additional funding from the General Assembly.
Private support for Old Dominion has also increased during Broderick's tenure. The university's endowment has increased $50 million, and private support has helped fund endowed chairs in research and sciences, as well as new or expanded facilities for every arts-related program.
Broderick oversaw the renewal of football at Old Dominion in 2009, with the Monarchs posting the most successful record of any start-up team in FCS history. He served on the NCAA board of directors and as chair of the President's Football Championship Series advisory committee. This past spring, the University announced a membership agreement with Conference USA and a reclassification of its football program from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision.
The University's Board of Visitors voted in 2012 to extend his contract to 2017.
Prior to becoming president, Broderick served as vice president of institutional advancement and admissions and chief of staff to the president. His areas of responsibility included admissions, athletics, community and governmental relations, marketing, media relations, military affairs and student financial aid.
In addition to his administrative duties, Broderick annually teaches graduate courses in the Darden College of Education. He also has lectured on leadership for a variety of institutions and organizations, including the University of Bologna and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Executive Association.
Broderick has been recognized for his contributions to higher education and the Hampton Roads community with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities' Humanitarian Award, the Urban League of Hampton Roads' Marian Palmer Capps Award, the College Communicators Association Distinguished Service Award, Lead Hampton Roads' Julian F. Hirst Award for excellence in community, civic and professional leadership, and a 2011 Visionary Award from the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.
Throughout his career, Broderick has been actively engaged in numerous community and professional organizations. He currently is a board member of the Hampton Roads Partnership, Urban League and MacArthur Foundation, and served for many years as a youth soccer league coach in Chesapeake.
Prior to joining Old Dominion University, Broderick was a faculty member in the University of Pittsburgh system and an administrator at St. Bonaventure University. He received a bachelor's degree from Northeastern University and a graduate degree from St. Bonaventure. His is a native of Bristol, Conn.
He can be contacted at president@odu.edu and looks forward to hearing from you.
President's Blog
The President's Blog features the periodic postings from President John R. Broderick. Learn more about ODU and glimpse a day in the life of a college president.
Governor's Commission
Old Dominion University President John R. Broderick was appointed by Gov. Bob McDonnell to the Governor's Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment.
Speeches & Letters
One of the tenets of President Broderick's leadership is communication. View the text of major campus communications from the President's Office, as well as text and video of important speeches.