First published in the Sept. 3 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
The Woodbury University Board of Trustees recently announced the unanimous election of member Barry Ryan as the university’s 15th president.
Ryan succeeds retiring president David Steele-Figueredo, who has served as president since 2015.
“Dr. Ryan is the ideal candidate to take Woodbury to the next level. The board could not be more confident in its selection after working side by side and observing his leadership over many years, including service as a consultant prior to his joining the board,” said Greg Lippe, chairman of the board of trustees.
“He is not only an accomplished academic, but also brings a full set of talents that will be leveraged, including his legal and government background, and administrative, communications and relationship-building skills,” Lippe added.
Ryan earned his doctorate degree in history from UC Santa Barbara and a law degree from UC Berkeley. He also has been a visiting doctoral scholar at Oxford University and the University of London.
He holds a post-graduate diploma in global business from Oxford University. Ryan served as a Supreme Court fellow in the chambers of Chief Justice William Rehnquist and is a member of the Supreme Court bar as well as multiple federal and state bars.
He has an extensive and distinguished career in university leadership, having served as a tenured faculty member, department chair, dean, vice president, provost and president at several institutions.
He was elected twice to the WASC (WSCUC) Accreditation Commission, serving the maximum six years.
Beyond academia, Ryan also has a long history of volunteer service and leadership in charitable organizations.
“I am deeply honored by my appointment to serve as president of Woodbury University, an institution with which I share my most cherished values,” Ryan said.
President Steele-Figueredo has helped guide the university during one of the most challenging times in history, and I am grateful for his encouragement and support as his successor. I look forward to working with our outstanding colleagues and students to continue to enhance and bring credit to Woodbury’s cherished legacy and the communities it serves locally and globally,” he added.
