Elmhurst University announced on May 27 that Keri Anne Alioto, Ed.D., will join the University to serve as its vice president for student affairs.

Selected during a nationwide search, Alioto currently serves as vice president for student affairs at Mount Mary University, a small, Catholic liberal arts college in in Milwaukee. In this role, she serves on the President’s Cabinet and provides strategic vision, leadership and direction for creating and maintaining a campus environment that fosters student success, inclusivity and a sense of belonging. She will begin her role at Elmhurst in August.

“From our first meeting, we all were impressed by Dr. Alioto’s energy and commitment to student success,” Elmhurst University President Troy D. VanAken said. “Our students will resonate with her, and I’m looking forward to the ideas and experience she will share when she joins our leadership team and campus community.”

Alioto said she initially was drawn to the role at Elmhurst U. because of “its phenomenal reputation for putting students first and being student-centered.” After coming to campus for interviews, she said, “I could tell that people just live and breathe the mission and values of the University. I want to work where the things that matter most are emphasized, and I see that shining through in every facet of the student experience.”

Before joining Mount Mary in 2020, Alioto most recently served as associate vice president for student development and dean of student success at Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana. Over her 19-year career there, she also held the roles of assistant dean of students and director of student activities, and taught in the leadership department.

Alioto earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and Spanish from Ball State University, a master of science degree in student affairs administration from Indiana University, and her doctorate of education in higher education administration from Northern Illinois University.