University Announces New Leadership in Enrollment Management, and Marketing and Communications

Saint Joseph’s University has announced the appointment of two new cabinet members to lead its enrollment management, and marketing and communications teams. Following a national search, Mollie Cecere, EdD, has been appointed as the new vice president of enrollment management. Additionally, after serving as interim vice president of marketing and communications since June 1, Francesca Reynolds, MS ’26, has been appointed to the role full time, effective immediately. 

Cecere will join the University community on Oct. 5. She is a higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing enrollment and institutional strategy at mission-driven universities. A collaborative leader, she brings a proven record of connecting enrollment strategy with academic priorities, financial planning, marketing, technology and partnerships, and student success.

She currently serves as vice president of enrollment management, and corporate partnerships and workforce development at Carlow University, a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, where she provides executive leadership across undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, adult, online and international enrollment. During her tenure, she helped lead a 19.5% increase in university enrollment, while strengthening financial aid strategy, enrollment forecasting, student success initiatives and net tuition performance. 

Cecere also collaborated with faculty and leadership to launch 18 new academic programs, expand online education, and align academic portfolio development with evolving workforce needs. Additionally, she provided executive oversight for financial aid, the registrar, student accounts, academic and online operations, and first-year experience. She also helped secure grant funding to support students experiencing homelessness, former foster youth and parenting students. 

Earlier in her career, Cecere served as vice president for enrollment and student success at Bethany College, and held enrollment leadership roles at Point Park University and Wheeling Jesuit University. She holds an EdD from the University of Pittsburgh, an MBA from Point Park University and a bachelor’s degree from Saint Vincent College. 

Francesca Reynolds, MS ’26, has been appointed vice president of marketing and communications. Over the past three months, Reynolds worked closely with the president and Cabinet to reimagine the Office of Marketing and Communications, and she led the communications strategy behind the launch of the Initiative for Human Formation in an Age of AI. 

Reynolds joined the University in 2022 as the senior director of marketing and has become a highly sought-after campus partner for University-wide initiatives and steering committees. Notably during her tenure, she led the launch of the undergraduate and graduate marketing strategies, and the public launch of the University's online bachelor’s programs. As vice president of marketing and communications, she will support the University's enrollment and institutional goals, lead brand strategy and integrated campaigns, and adapt Saint Joseph’s marketing and communications efforts for an era of AI-driven discovery.

Reynolds brings two decades of experience in nonprofit and higher education marketing, including leadership roles at Temple University and Villanova University. Her cross-sector experience informs a leadership approach grounded in empathy, evidence-based decision-making, and the belief that sustainable marketing impact is built through strong internal partnerships, shared institutional vision and a cohesive student experience. She is active in the marketing community, presenting at national conferences like the American Marketing Association and The Online and Professional Education Association.

Reynolds holds an MS in organizational development and leadership with a certificate in change management from Saint Joseph's University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from LaSalle University. She holds volunteer roles within her community, advocating for resources and funding for special education students within the Cherry Hill School District.