Endicott College has announced the appointment of Bryan Cain, Ph.D., as the institution’s eighth president, effective March 2026. Dr. Cain previously served as Acting President from April through October 2025 and as Interim President thereafter, leading the College through a period of significant growth and momentum.
“For years, and in many different capacities, Dr. Cain has helped guide Endicott toward its greatest potential,” said Melissa Hempstead ’69, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “We have watched both his leadership and the College flourish in the years since longtime President Dr. Richard E. Wylie hired him on the Executive Team. The Board and our entire community could not be more excited about his presidency and the path ahead.”
Dr. Cain’s appointment follows a presidential search process guided by national best practices in higher education leadership. In partnership with AGB Search, Endicott engaged faculty, staff, students, alumni, and Trustees in a broad community listening process to shape a Presidential Profile reflecting the College’s priorities and aspirations. A cross-constituency Presidential Search Committee conducted a rigorous, structured review and interview process, culminating in the Board of Trustees’ appointment of Dr. Cain.
During his tenure as Acting and Interim President, Endicott celebrated several transformative milestones, including the opening of the new Admissions Welcome Center; the successful branding and national promotion of the Endicott Experiential Edge across major media outlets, including Chronicle and The Boston Globe; record-breaking undergraduate and graduate application volume; and the completion of major renovations to the Wylie Center and Tupper Manor. He also expanded student support services to increase first-year retention, dedicated resources to expand the faculty, launched the development of a new Innovation Complex, and helped steward Endicott’s first $75 million comprehensive fundraising campaign, adding more than $11 million to the campaign total since May 2025.
“I am deeply honored to continue serving Endicott at this moment of opportunity and momentum,” said Dr. Cain. “As President, my focus will be on reinvesting in the student experience, supporting our faculty and staff, and ensuring Endicott remains a place where innovation, access, and community are priorities.”
Throughout his leadership roles, Dr. Cain has maintained a visible presence on campus and a strong connection to the student experience. The Board also noted that he brings a lived understanding of the challenges facing today’s students, including navigating global uncertainty, belonging, and preparing for a rapidly changing workforce. This perspective informs his commitment to access, transparency, and innovation at Endicott.
Prior to assuming presidential leadership, Dr. Cain served in progressively more senior roles at Endicott for nearly nine years, most recently as Executive Vice President. In that role, he oversaw Board of Trustees relations, Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations, Communications and Marketing, Student Affairs, Special Events, and Title IX compliance—bringing a deeply collaborative, cross-institutional lens to Endicott’s leadership team.
Dr. Cain serves on the boards of LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education and the Society of Presidential Historians in Academia (SOPHIA).
He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Endicott College, where his research examined the university president search process and the role of Boards of Trustees in succession planning. A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Cain is deeply committed to access, student success, and mission-centered innovation. His expertise in strategic resource allocation, advancement, governance, and brand elevation continues to shape Endicott’s trajectory as a top-tier institution known for experiential learning, agility, and community impact.