Glena Temple

Glena G. Temple, PhD, serves as the 11th president of Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, starting her service at the university in 2021. Under her leadership, the university experienced record enrollment in its first-year classes for three consecutive years. She is a scholar in botany and plant sciences and has published on 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 nearly 20 years, in roles including dean, vice president for academic affairs, and president. She is an affiliate of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was a member of the 2022 Cohort of The Daniel Burnham Fellowship of Chicago. 

Current Board Service
Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic School Board
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (Financial Strategy Committee)
Chicago Botanic Garden (Nominating and Governance Committee)
Dominican Higher Education Council (President-led organization)
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) (Tax & Workforce Policy Committee)
Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) CCEO Leadership Group (Executive Committee)
President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration (Steering Committee)

Education
Bachelor’s degree in biology from Allegheny College
Master’s degree in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota
Ph.D. in botany and plant sciences from the University of California-Riverside