President Patrick Leahy’s office announced that Dr. Anne Skleder has been named the next President of Brenau University. Skleder will be the university’s 10th president as well as its first female president. She will  leave behind a five-year tenure as Wilkes University’s senior vice president and provost.

Brenau University is a private undergraduate and graduate institution in Gainesville, Ga.

Skleder notably worked closely with Wilkes’ deans, faculty and staff members to develop over 20 new academic programs including the university’s first Ph. D. program. She also played a part in the international outreach of the university through leading the Latin America and Caribbean initiative as she has created close connections to the country of Panama and the students that Wilkes brings to the university.

Throughout her time at Wilkes, she has increased faculty and student scholarship, and was involved in enhancing the university’s instructional spaces. On top of all of the work she has done throughout her tenure, she also taught psychology courses at the university.

Skleder will begin her new role as president of Brenau University starting July 1.