New director for BC M.S. in Leadership and Administration

Joyce, who assumed the position May 1, brings to the role extensive experience in leadership education, adult learning, and instructional design, most notably through two decades directing the executive programs division of The Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C.,-based nonprofit public policy organization ranked among the world’s leading think tanks.

At Brookings, she served as executive director and then associate dean of executive education for business and government, overseeing course design, development, and delivery, as well as academic and communications services.

At the Woods College, she will direct an industry-aligned program designed to produce graduates who are agile, inclusive changemakers able to adapt to internal and external challenges and trends, and to ethically address pressing issues.

“The MSLA is designed to help students learn to lead—and thrive—in diverse and complex environments,” said Woods College Dean Karen Muncaster. “Mary Ellen joins us from a lengthy career at Brookings, which delivers best-in-class executive education. She’s a strategic thinker with demonstrated expertise in providing the kind of programs that can ensure our students meet their career goals. I'm thrilled to welcome her to our team.”

“We were looking for a seasoned and creative leader who could build on the successes of the MSLA,” added Woods College Associate Dean for Graduate Programs Tristan Johnson. “Our program is tailored to those looking to advance, often within in-demand fields. Mary Ellen is committed to helping professionals develop their leadership skills. She is ideally suited bring the MSLA to the next level,” he said.

“In an era marked by disruptions and challenges, it’s a pivotal time to be engaged in leadership development,” said Joyce. “Demand for new leadership capabilities requires creating and delivering cutting-edge content that will equip leaders with the know-why and know-how to make a difference in the world today. That is one of our top priorities.”

Joyce’s new role brings her BC experience full circle: as an undergraduate, she had occasion to meet James Woods, S.J.—namesake of the Woods College, which he led as dean for 44 years. “I was working in the controller’s office when I interacted with Father Woods on a multi-year project,” she said. “He provided me with some of my first real-world lessons in leadership. It’s an honor to return to BC and to the school that bears his name.”

The daughter of a Boston College alumnus, Joyce earned a B.A. in history and political science from BC. She holds a Ph.D. in business and public administration from the George Washington University.

An elected fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, Joyce also has had significant experience in politics and government relations, including managing the political campaigns and serving as chief of staff for former New Hampshire Governor John H. Sununu, and developing the field strategy for John McCain’s successful races in 1982 for the House of Representatives and 1986 for the U.S. Senate. In 1989, Joyce was appointed by President George H. W. Bush to the U.S. Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, on which she served until 1995.

In addition, she has worked in government relations and marketing and communications, and, most recently, led Virginia-based EPC Learning Labs, a firm designed to accelerate mastery of leadership capabilities.