Quinnipiac University President Judy Olian to Deliver Keynote Address at Commencement 2025

Hamden Hall is pleased to announce that Quinnipiac University President Judy Olian will deliver the keynote address to graduates at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 6, at 10 a.m.

“We are honored to have Quinnipiac University President Judy Olian as our Commencement Speaker for the Class of 2025,” said Head of School Bob Izzo. “Her leadership at Quinnipiac, UCLA, and other distinguished academic institutions is impressive, and I believe she'll be a wonderful exemplar for our graduates in terms of her commitment to academic excellence and global outreach.”

President Olian will make her remarks at Hamden Hall’s 113th Commencement Exercises. 

“I’m delighted to join the Hamden Hall community in celebrating the Class of 2025,” President Olian said. “The world ahead of these graduates is full of opportunity and surprises, and I’m certain that the path they will follow will be imbued with purpose and compassion as they positively impact society.”

President Olian began her tenure with Quinnipiac University in 2018 where she serves as the ninth president. Under her leadership, the university experienced transformative growth and innovation, including the addition of 59 new academic programs and dual degrees and 16 certificate programs, the opening of two new academic buildings – the School of Business and The SITE – which stands at the intersection of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Exploration, a new residential hall called The Grove, a Recreation and Wellness Center, the expansion of faculty research and teaching opportunities, and other programming.

Prior to joining Quinnipiac University, President Olian served as dean of Anderson School of Management at University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA) and John E. Anderson Chair in Management for over 12 years. Her other academic posts include serving as the dean and professor of management at the Smeal College of Business Administration at Pennsylvania State University, and professor and senior associate dean at the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. Additionally, Judy served as the chairman of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the premier business accrediting and management thought leadership organization in the world.

President Olian has also been a prominent voice in academia publishing widely on topics of leadership, management, and the future of work. Outside of higher education, President Olian serves on the corporate boards of Ares Management, L.P., a publicly traded global alternative asset management firm, United Therapeutics, a publicly traded advanced biotech company, and Mattel, Inc., a publicly traded multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company, and Hartford HealthCare, a comprehensive, integrated health system based in Connecticut.

President Olian was born and raised in Australia. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She went on to obtain her Master of Science degree and Ph.D. in industrial relations from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

President Olian will join an unparalleled roster of keynote speakers for Hamden Hall’s graduating classes over the years. The Class of 2025, which is made up of 79 students, will be part of Hamden Hall’s Commencement Exercises.