STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Franciscan University of Steubenville today announced the addition of William Gorman as chief operating officer, rounding out the top leadership team developed by President Father Sean O. Sheridan, TOR.

Gorman’s position was created as part of Father Sheridan’s larger reorganization of the administrative structure designed to give Franciscan University new opportunities and resources to advance its vision and mission in the Catholic Church and world.

“Higher education has changed dramatically in recent years, and with more changes on the horizon, Franciscan University decided to reorganize for greater effectiveness and efficiency,” said Father Sheridan, who became president in 2013. “Bill Gorman has the experience, expertise, and faith commitment the University needs in our COO, and I look forward to working with him as we respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit leading the University to future growth in service of God, our Church, and the world.”

For 14 years, Gorman served in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., in a number of positions including the executive director of Evangelization of Family Life, assistant secretary for Parish Life, secretary for Pastoral Ministry and Social Concerns, secretary of the Curia, and associate moderator of the Curia. As associate moderator of the Curia, he reported to Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, on the strategic planning and operational initiatives of the archdiocese, which directed and supported 139 churches, 20 corporations, over 3,000 employees, 27,000 students, and 15,000 volunteers. He also directed the archdiocese’s day-to-day central office operations including Catholic Schools, Communications, Development, Pastoral and Social Concerns, Public Affairs, Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, and Real Estate. Additionally, Gorman had extensive roles in preparing for and hosting the Washington, D.C., visits of both Pope Benedict XVI in 2008 and Pope Francis in 2015, including responsibility for all logistics, communications and media, and volunteers.

In 2016, Gorman became the founding managing director of GP Catholic Services, a division of Graham-Pelton Consulting. In this role, he led the growth of this multi-discipline practice focused on the needs of the Catholic Church in the areas of strategic planning, fundraising, and communications. Under his leadership, the firm conducted work for dioceses and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Catholic Education Association, and the First Amendment Partnership.

A Bowie, Maryland, native, Gorman succeeds David Skiviat, vice president of Finance and Administration, who will retire after 39 years of service. Gorman said he welcomes the opportunity to serve Franciscan University’s mission of “forming, equipping, and sending missionary disciples into the world to announce the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

“I am deeply honored and humbled by this opportunity,” said Gorman. “The opportunity to be part of Franciscan University is, quite simply, a blessing as I believe in and have great passion for its mission.”

Gorman, along with Dr. Daniel Kempton, chief academic officer, and Father Nathan Malavolti, TOR, chief evangelization officer, will lead the newly reconstituted Administrators’ Council. He begins work at Franciscan University on January 22 and will oversee the Departments of Development, Enrollment Management, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Marketing and Communications, Strategic Relations, and the non-academic aspects of Remote Locations and Delivery.

Gorman holds a diploma in management and a master of business administration, both from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom. He has been honored with the Benemerenti Medal conferred by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, and as a Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, conferred by His Holiness, Pope Francis.