For The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — St. Ambrose University announced the addition of four senior leaders, along with an expanded leadership role for a longtime academic administrator. The appointments are part of the university’s ongoing efforts to strengthen mission integration, enhance shared operations and support its collaboration with Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. These appointments underscore St. Ambrose’s commitment to delivering a mission-driven student experience grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition.
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Hibner Amelia Blanton Hibner, has been named chief mission integration officer, beginning Feb. 1. In this role, Hibner will guide mission integration across both universities, ensuring that Catholic identity, values and formation remain central as institutional collaboration continues to evolve. She currently serves as Dean of Mission Integration at Visitation Academy of St. Louis, where she leads mission-centered strategic planning, multi-year formation programs for faculty and staff, and extensive partnerships with academic and campus ministry leaders.
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Kurth Adam Kurth is the new chief information officer. Kurth brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in information technology, finance and organizational planning, most recently as chief financial officer and director of technology & innovation for the Iowa City Community School District. His experience includes major advancements in cybersecurity, enterprise systems modernization, instructional technology and data governance. As CIO, Kurth will support the alignment of shared systems and digital infrastructure across St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy, helping build a seamless student and employee experience.
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Hurley Karla Hurley has been named executive director of strategy and project management. Hurley, who joined the university in November, brings more than two decades of experience in strategic leadership and organizational integration across higher education and the nonprofit sector, including the University of Iowa where she led enterprise strategy and digital transformation. She will lead efforts at St. Ambrose to strengthen institutional planning, unify performance measures and coordinate cross-campus initiatives that ensure sustained momentum and accountability in the months and years ahead.
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Liljegren Donna Gardner Liljegren is associate vice-president for online learning. With more than 30 years of experience as a faculty member and administrator, Dr. Liljegren has a proven record of expanding access and improving student outcomes through high-quality online programs. She previously led AU Online at Aurora University, growing the program from $3.4 million to more than $27 million in revenue. Her leadership at St. Ambrose will support the continued growth, quality and consistency of online learning across collaborative academic offerings.
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Archer Longtime St. Ambrose leader Pat Archer, associate provost, assumes oversight of the accessibility resource center, the academic and career planning center, and the student success center on the St. Ambrose campus. In partnership with Mount Mercy Provost Tom Castle, Archer will also begin coordinating parallel functions at Mount Mercy to lay the groundwork for future alignment of student-success services across both institutions.
President Amy Novak emphasized the importance of the new leadership team in supporting the university’s future direction.
“Each of these leaders brings not only deep expertise, but a passion for the mission of Catholic higher education,” said Novak. “Their collective talent will help us enhance student learning, align shared systems, and build a more connected and mission-centered future. I am profoundly grateful for the wisdom and vision they bring to St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy at this pivotal moment.”
