Roger Williams University Announces Retirement of President Miaoulis at Close of Academic Year
Board of Trustees Expresses Gratitude for Seven Years of Service and Institutional Progress
Roger Williams University announces that President Ioannis Miaoulis will retire at the conclusion of the current academic year on May 31, 2026. The preceding seven years of leadership were marked by academic innovation, community engagement, and institutional growth.
“This decision comes from a deeply personal place. I believe it is best for my well-being and, just as importantly, best for the university,” said President Miaoulis. “This is the right moment for RWU to begin its next chapter, building on the momentum our community has created together. Leading this university has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career, and I will continue to follow its progress with pride.”
During his tenure, the university expanded experiential learning opportunities, strengthened its presence in Providence, and advanced initiatives across law, justice, and public service. The institution also deepened its commitment to community engagement, including partnerships with local communities and correctional education programs. Significant progress was made in strengthening alumni engagement and philanthropy, including securing $20 million dollars to name the Cumming School of Architecture, the largest gift in university history, and continued investment in academic programs, student support, and campus facilities.
Reflecting on his time at RWU, the president emphasized the central role of students in shaping the university’s mission and impact. “What inspires me most is not the milestones or the metrics, but our students,” said President Miaoulis. “The students who arrive with bright-eyed ambition and leave with a deeper sense of purpose. The students whose love for this place endures long after graduation. It has been a privilege to be part of their lives during the brief time our paths have crossed.”
“We are grateful for President Miaoulis’ dedication to Roger Williams University and the many contributions he has made over the past seven years,” said Heather N. Boujoulian, RWU Board Chair. “He has helped strengthen the university’s academic foundation, expand its impact in the community, and position RWU for continued success. On behalf of the Board, we thank President Miaoulis for his service and wish him the very best in this next chapter.”
The Board of Trustees has appointed Chief of Staff, Dr. Brian Williams, as Interim President beginning June 1, 2026. Dr. Williams will continue to advance Roger Williams University’s mission of providing a high-quality, student-centered education that prepares graduates for lives of purpose, leadership, and impact.
About RWU: Roger Williams University is a comprehensive university with a liberal arts core and professional programs, focused on marine science, law and society, and the designed and built environments, paired with a breadth of humanities and business programs. With campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the state capital of Providence, Rhode Island, our eight schools of study provide real-world learning experiences dedicated to social and environmental justice, small class sizes, and direct access to faculty and staff. Our students create powerful combinations of degrees, credentials, research, and internship opportunities. Roger Williams University is ranked No. 35 Best Regional University in the North by U.S. News & World Report, among the 2025 Best Law Schools by The Princeton Review, and No. 48 in Academic Experience and No. 55 in Career Outcomes in the 2026 Poets & Quants Best Undergraduate Business School rankings; the RWU Extension School was also named No. 1 for Best Online Colleges in Rhode Island by Forbes. Our students graduate with a unique skill set and the passion to make an impact, becoming the changemakers and leaders our world needs.
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Kelly Brinza News & Media Relations Manager
- April 22, 2026
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