Debra Townsley

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Debra Townsley

| office = Interim President of Albright College

| term_start = July 1, 2024

| term_end =

| predecessor = Jacquelyn S. Fetrow

| successor =

| office1 = 7th President of Labouré College

| predecessor1 = Jack P. Calareso

| successor1 = Lily Hsu

| term_start1 = 2018

| term_end1 = June 30, 2019

| office2 = 10th President of William Peace University

| termstart2 = 2010

| termend2 = June 30, 2015

| predecessor2 = Laura C. Bingham

| successor2 = Brian Ralph

| office3 = 6th President of Nichols College

| termstart3 = 1998

| termend3 = 2010

| predecessor3 = James J. Darazsdi

| successor3 = Gerald Fels (interim)

| education = American University (BA)
University of Vermont (PhD)
George Washington University (MBA)

}}

Debra M. Townsley is an American academic administrator who served as president of Nichols College from 1998 to 2010, William Peace University from 2010 to 2015, and Labouré College from 2018 to 2019. Throughout her career, she led significant institutional changes, including expanding academic programs and transitioning Peace College to a coeducational institution.

Life

Townsley grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.{{Cite web |last=King |first=Joselyn |date=February 26, 2017 |title=Debra Townsley In as Interim President at Wheeling Jesuit University |url=https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2017/02/debra-townsley-in-as-interim-president-at-wheeling-jesuit-university/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=theintelligencer.net |language=en-US}} She earned bachelor's degrees from American University, a M.A. in psychology and a Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Vermont, and a M.B.A. from George Washington University.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-17 |title=Debra Townsley Selected to Lead Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.wiareport.com/2024/07/debra-townsley-selected-as-interim-president-of-albright-college-in-pennsylvania/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Women In Academia Report}}

Townsley began her career at IBM and Booz Allen Hamilton before transitioning to academia at Marymount University.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-05 |title=Debra Townsley named interim president at Albright College |url=https://www.latrobebulletinnews.com/education/debra-townsley-named-interim-president-at-albright-college/article_fc261e44-3801-11ef-9653-6b286def6417.html |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=The Latrobe Bulletin |language=en}} After three years, she became an assistant professor and chair of the accounting and data processing departments at Northern Virginia Community College, where she also taught business. Townsley later served as director of undergraduate and graduate management studies at Saint Michael's College. She joined Nichols College as dean of academic affairs.{{Cite web |date=April 23, 2010 |title=Nichols College president leaving for NC job |url=https://www.telegram.com/story/news/state/2010/04/23/nichols-college-president-leaving-for/51628040007/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=The Worcester Telegram & Gazette |language=en-US}} In 1998, she became its sixth president, the first woman to hold the role. Under her leadership, the college introduced new academic specializations, including arts and entertainment, and expanded its facilities with new residence halls, an athletic center, and apartment-style senior suites.{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2008 |title=Q&A with Debra Townsley, head of Nichols College, Dudley |url=https://www.wbjournal.com/article/qa-with-debra-townsley-head-of-nichols-college-dudley |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Worcester Business Journal |language=en-US}} During the 2008 financial crisis, Townsley navigated the institution through economic challenges with financial planning. Nichols College maintained its position as the largest Master of Business Administration program in Central Massachusetts during this period. She resigned in 2010.

In 2010, Townsley became the tenth president of Peace College, succeeding Laura C. Bingham.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Brian |date=August 26, 2011 |title=Ex-Nichols chief faces opposition |url=https://www.telegram.com/story/news/local/north/2011/08/26/ex-nichols-chief-faces-opposition/49923241007/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=The Worcester Telegram & Gazette |language=en-US}} During her tenure, the college underwent significant changes, including renaming the institution William Peace University and allowing men to enroll in its day programs starting in 2012. Under her leadership, the university experienced increased enrollment.{{Cite web |last=Rivard |first=Ry |title=Two Lenses |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/10/15/william-peace-departing-president-criticized-many-loved-board |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Inside Higher Ed |language=en}} While supported by the board, her administration faced criticism from some faculty, students, and alumnae regarding reduced faculty numbers and various campus issues. Townsley announced her retirement in 2013, declining an extension of her contract. She retired on June 30, 2015.{{Cite web |last=Bass |first=Brittany |date=2014-11-10 |title=President Townsley announces retirement, students offer opinions |url=https://peacetimesmedia.com/2014/11/10/president-townsley-announces-retirement-students-offer-opinions/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Peace Times Media |language=en-US}} In February 2017, Townsley became the interim president of Wheeling Jesuit College. In the spring of 2018, she became the seventh president of Labouré College, succeeding Jack P. Calareso.{{Cite web |date=September 25, 2018 |title=Labouré College Names Seventh President: Dr. Debra Townsley |url=https://www.laboure.edu/blog/labour%C3%A9-college-names-seventh-president-dr.-debra-townsley |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=www.laboure.edu |language=en-us}} She was succeeded by Lily Hsu on July 1, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Dubé |first=Christy Mach |last2=Murphy |first2=Evelyn |author-link2=Evelyn Murphy |last3=Rosa |first3=Marta |last4=Silbert |first4=Andrea |author-link4=Andrea Silbert |date=2019 |title=Women's Power Gap in Higher Education |url=https://womenspowergap.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/WPG-Higher-Ed-Report-Final-Digital-Version-11-15-19.pdf |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Women's Power Gap |publisher=Eos Foundation |page=52}} On July 1, 2024, she became the interim president of Albright College.