When Lisa Marsh-Ryerson was asked to step into the role of president at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), it wasn’t a path she had carefully planned. Having served as president of Wells College for more than 18 years and later leading The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Foundation in Washington, D.C., Marsh-Ryerson thought her career might move away from higher education. However, her time on SNHU’s board of trustees eventually brought her back.
Marsh-Ryerson is only just beginning her impact on SNHU’s history. Her career has been deeply shaped by personal experiences as a first-generation college student at Wells College, where she majored in English and Psychology. She credits her liberal arts background for shaping the way she thinks, combining curiosity and critical thinking with humanity at the core.
Teaching has also left a lasting impression. President Marsh-Ryerson taught middle school English and social studies for four years before expanding her reach into student affairs and eventually higher education leadership. “Teaching middle school takes a lot… It’s about curiosity and focusing in not just learning needs, but also social needs” (President Marsh-Ryerson).
When asked who shaped her leadership, Marsh-Ryerson pointed to role models at every level. From her mother to community leaders, faculty mentors, and other college presidents. What mattered most, she said, was not titles, but qualities like humility, service, and the ability to listen.
Marsh-Ryerson frequently circled back to students, both in her personal story and in her vision for SNHU. Nearly half of incoming students are first-generation, and she understands the importance of anchors and support systems to help them thrive.
“I didn’t know how to do college” she recalled of her own experience. “What worked for me were faculty, staff, and other first-generation students who reached out and cared about my success”.
That background fuels her commitment to making sure students feel seen, heard, and connected. Whether through experiential learning opportunities like Com Studio, internships, or volunteer work at the Chandler Center, she believes education is at its best when students can apply knowledge in real-world settings.
Experiential learning is the most powerful learning there is in our life.
Looking ahead to 2030, Marsh-Ryerson’s goals for SNHU are ambitious yet grounded in values. She emphasized accessibility, affordability, and the university’s one university model, where students can move fluidly between in-person and online experiences.
Above all, she hopes her legacy will be one shared with the entire SNHU community: ensuring that more learners have access to meaningful, relevant education across their lifetimes.
As the conversation closed, her focus returned once again to students: “I am obsessing about students right now — the student experience. And I think that’s exactly what I should be doing as president”.
On October 15, Lisa Marsh-Ryerson will take the next big step in her journey. The SNHU Arena will be hosting an Inauguration ceremony for her to officially become the sixth president of Southern New Hampshire University.
