Office of the President

Dr. Amy McCormack, President

Dr. Amy McCormack became the seventh president, and first female president, of Calumet College of St. Joseph on July 1, 2017. She graduated from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and became a CPA, working for Deloitte in Chicago from 1985 to 1991. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from Dominican University’s Brennan School of Business and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.

She moved to academia in 1991 as controller and later vice president for business affairs for Dominican University. In 2008, Dr. McCormack became the senior vice president for finance and administration. She has taught accounting and auditing. In addition, she taught accounting in Dominican’s executive MBA program in Poland. In October 2015, Dr. McCormack received a Fulbright Scholarship for the International Education Administrators Program to study higher education in France. As part of her doctoral coursework, she studied the higher education system in Ireland and Spain.

Dr. McCormack serves on the boards of the Council of Independent Colleges, the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana, the Big Shoulders Fund of Northwest Indiana and the Calumet Collaborative. She has previously served on volunteer boards for the Comer Children’s Hospital at the University of Chicago and the Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park. She is married with two daughters and enjoys traveling, sports, and playing the harp.

Get to Know Dr. Amy McCormack

Frankfort, IN Native

I grew up on a working farm in Frankfort, IN. It was hard work and taught me the importance of a strong work ethic. I began riding horses at the age of 3 and was involved in 4-H. I enjoyed trail riding with my horse and became a barrel racer. I was involved in band, sports and cheerleading at my high school, which was very small with only 112 students in my graduating class.

First Generation College Graduate

Neither of my parents went to college, but my Dad insisted I go. We didn’t have money and had to scrape together all of our resources to get me there. I had to take out loans, and I worked throughout my college years. I had to navigate a lot of the experience on my own, and it makes me sensitive to how vitally important it is that we help guide students through the process.

Mission-Oriented

Our 5 pillars are not just slogans to me; they are a calling to live life in a particular way. It is my job to make sure that CCSJ stays focused on its mission. I hope I live out our mission by treating everyone with dignity, by stretching myself intellectually and physically, by taking on new challenges and by being a welcoming resource to every student I encounter.

Favorite CCSJ Moments

I love Orientation. That day is just so full of hope, so rich with possibility. The energy of the students is incredible. And, of course, Commencement. To know that so many hopes and dreams are being realized on that day is humbling. I love random interactions with alumni. It allows me to remember that our impact and reach is so much greater than we know.

Proudest CCSJ Accomplishment

I hope that my proudest accomplishments at CCSJ are ahead of me, but I was really thrilled to transform the long-held idea of a residential campus into reality. The ribbon-cutting of the residence hall was a very proud day for me.

Aspirations for CCSJ

I have so many aspirations for the college. I want to lead us toward strong enrollment and retention; I want to see us living out our mission of service. I want us to be a vital resource for our community. I want each and every graduate to make a difference, as that ripple effect will change the world.