Office of the President

Dr. Stanton F. McNeely III is a visionary leader in higher education, currently serving as President of the University of Holy Cross (UHC) in New Orleans. Since assuming the presidency in 2019, Dr. McNeely has led the institution through a period of transformative growth and resilience, navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple hurricanes while advancing the university’s mission of Catholic, student-centered education grounded in the principles of inclusion, compassion, and faith.

Under his leadership, UHC has expanded its reach and impact across Southeast Louisiana and beyond. He has championed innovation in academic delivery, including the expansion of online graduate programs that now serve students in 35 states and multiple countries. He has also forged strategic partnerships with major healthcare systems such as Ochsner Health and LCMC Health, securing millions in funding and scholarship support for students in nursing and allied health programs. Dr. McNeely has been instrumental in growing UHC’s dual enrollment program from three to twenty high schools, significantly increasing early college access for local students. He has also strengthened transfer pathways through articulation agreements with Louisiana’s Community and Technical Colleges, reinforcing UHC’s role as a hub for workforce development and healthcare education.

Prior to his presidency at UHC, Dr. McNeely served as President and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (LAICU), where he led statewide and federal advocacy efforts on behalf of Louisiana’s private colleges and universities. He also held senior leadership roles at Delgado Community College and Fletcher Technical Community College, where he led institutional advancement, strategic planning, and workforce development initiatives.

A recognized thought leader, Dr. McNeely has served on multiple accreditation review teams for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and currently sits on its Board of Trustees where he helps shape accreditation policy across the region. He is a member of the Committee of 100 for Louisiana Economic Development and serves on numerous civic and educational boards throughout the region.

Dr. McNeely holds a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Northcentral University, an MBA from Loyola University New Orleans, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Our Lady of Holy Cross College (now UHC), where he graduated as valedictorian. A proud alumnus of Jesuit High School of New Orleans, he remains deeply committed to faith-based education and community service.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. McNeely is a devoted husband and father who believes that education should cultivate not only knowledge, but also compassion, purpose, and a commitment to the common good.