Gallman-DeRienzo named VP at Thomas University | Schools

THOMASVILLE, GA - News release from Thomas University

 Dr. Vivian Gallman-DeRienzo is no stranger to higher education. When she stepped into her new role earlier this month as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Thomas University, Gallman-DeRienzo brought with her more than two decades of experience in in higher education.

“It really is a creative process,” Gallman-DeRienzo said. “We have students with dreams and aspirations. We help them accomplish their goals. It’s a very compelling feeling to see students achieve their goals.”

Dr. Gary Bonvillian, President of Thomas University, said, “We are delighted to have Dr. Gallman-DeRienzo join our team of senior administrators. She brings a tremendous amount of experience in the field and has already made a strong impression on Thomas University.”

A native of Florence, S.C., Gallman-DeRienzo was excited by the opportunity to continue her career in the Southeast.

“When I first came to Thomas University, I thought, ‘What a charming university and town. It’s just delightful!’” she said. “The people were very friendly. It was an easy choice to make.”

Gallman-DeRienzo was also impressed by what she found at Thomas University.

“The president has a tremendous vision about where this university is headed,” she said. “I really felt that this is a place where good things happen. I could just feel the energy on campus. That made this a very attractive place for me.”

Gallman-DeRienzo previously served Vice President of Academic and Student Services at Denmark Technical College in Denmark, S.C.; Director of Outreach and Enrollment Management at Florence-Darlington Technical College in Florence, S.C.; and Director of Transfers at Southwestern Illinois Community College in Belleville, Ill. In November and December of 2010, she was a Fulbright Specialist at Algoma University in Salt Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, where she worked with Algoma faculty, staff, administrators and students in the areas of curriculum development, faculty professional development, accreditation and compliance, and student success.

Gallman-DeRienzo holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C.; a master’s degree in human resources development from Webster University in St. Louis, Mo.;  a Certificate of Education from the Academy for Community College Leadership, Advancement, Innovation and Modeling Institute from North Carolina State University; a Certificate of Graduate Study in Higher Education Leadership from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.; and a Ph.D. in higher education administration, also from the University of South Carolina. She is also a member of the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management (IEM) Class of 2010.

Gallman-DeRienzo and her husband, J. Michael DeRienzo, an architect, have three adult children: Jamie, Jennifer, and Matthew.