The Mercy College of Health Sciences board of directors announced it has appointed Thomas Leahy as the private Catholic college’s interim president, following the recent departure of Doug Fiore, who was inaugurated as the college’s third president in April 2018. The board had approved a four-year extension of Fiore’s contract less than a year ago, and college officials did not respond to requests for further information about Fiore’s unexpected exit from the position. Leahy was most recently vice president of business and regulatory affairs and has been with Mercy College for nearly 12 years. He received his law degree from Drake University Law School in 2002. “I’m honored to serve as interim president. I look forward to working with the College community and contributing to Mercy College’s successful legacy,” Leahy said in a press release. As vice president of business and regulatory affairs, Leahy has served on several college committees, including the president’s cabinet, and has worked on a number of initiatives focused on student success, campus enhancement and employee development. Paul Erickson, chair of the Mercy College board, said a national search for the next president will begin immediately, and said that Leahy “will provide strong leadership through this time of transition.” In October 2020, the board had approved a four-year extension of Fiore’s contract. The nursing and health sciences college last year reported seven consecutive years of increases in new student enrollment and in total student enrollment.