Amid Financial Troubles, Rider President Announces Retirement

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - Rider University President Gregory G. Dell’Omo announced his retirement on Tuesday.

Dell’Omo has served the University since August 2015. He will retire after his current contract ends on July 31, 2025.

Before coming to Rider, Dell’Omo was president of Robert Morris University for 10 years. Next year will mark his 20th year serving as a university president.

“Since my arrival back home to New Jersey nearly a decade ago, I have had the extraordinary privilege of working alongside the impressive Rider University community of scholars, educators, staff and students,” Dell’Omo said in a statement.

“My decision to retire did not come easily, as this has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of my career, but I look forward to spending more time with my family as a new leader assumes the great honor of serving Rider into its future.”

Dell’Omo is the eighth president in Rider’s nearly 160-year history.

Under Dell’Omo’s leadership, Rider has introduced a new strategic plan, undergone major campus renovations, expanded its academic portfolio with numerous new programs, and raised millions of dollars to support campus improvements, student scholarships, and grow its endowment.

Over the past few years, Ruder has been going through financial struggles. In August, they cut 31 jobs, saying it was a cost saving method that helped the University save $2.04 million.

In 2022, faculty threatened to strike right before students returned to campus after they failed to reach an agreement on key economic issues with university officials.

The same year, the University’s Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) called for Dell’Omo’s removal saying they had "serious concerns” over his job performance, which led to “weakening of the University’s financial condition,” decline in student enrollment, and the “near destruction of Westminster Choir College.”

Meanwhile, Dell’Omo said he remains fully committed to serving the University throughout the remainder of his tenure.

“I will continue to work diligently to ensure a smooth transition and to advance the goals we have set together. With the support of our talented leadership team, faculty and staff, I am confident that we will continue to make significant strides. There is much to accomplish, and I am eager to see those efforts through,” Dell’Omo said.

The Board of Trustees will conduct a search for a new president and Trustee Joseph F. McDougall will chair the search.

“Dell’Omo has been a dynamic leader: maximizing opportunities, championing diversity and steadfastly guiding our University through a rapidly changing higher education landscape — always keeping student success as our North Star,” said Joan C. Mazzotti, ’72, current chair of the Rider University Board of Trustees. “We will deeply miss his leadership, but we understand and respect his decision and are profoundly grateful for his dedicated service and many significant contributions to Rider.”

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