Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D., became Rider University’s seventh president in 2015. Born and raised in Rumson, New Jersey, Dr. Dell’Omo returned to the Garden State after serving for 10 years as president of Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.
Dr. Dell’Omo led a highly participatory strategic planning process, culminating with the approval in June 2017 of a new vision and mission and Our Path Forward, the University’s comprehensive multi-year strategic plan. With a strong focus on visionary growth, the plan is ensuring the University’s continued growth.
Under President Dell’Omo’s guidance, Rider has developed more than a dozen new undergraduate and graduate academic programs, including the University’s first doctoral program in Educational Leadership. With leadership and support provided by Rider’s world-class faculty and staff, the University launched in fall 2017 its new Engaged Learning Program, a cornerstone of the Strategic Plan.
Rider introduced a new initiative in 2020 called Lifting Barriers, a series of new measures intended to strengthen the overall value of a Rider education, including a 22% reduction of annual undergraduate tuition, as well as robust support for career preparation and academic excellence.
On the heels of Lifting Barriers, Dr. Dell’Omo led the launch of Cranberry Investmentin 2021, a program which guarantees undergraduate students who fulfill their responsibilities will obtain an entry-level job related to their field of study or be accepted into graduate or professional school within six months of graduation. The Cranberry Investment reinforces the University’s longstanding commitment to providing transformative student experiences that lead to career success. The Cranberry Investment symbolizes Dr. Dell’Omo’s deeply held belief that students who invest in a Rider education should feel confident that the University is going to do everything within its power to make sure they reach their full potential and achieve their professional dreams.
Earlier in his career, Greg Dell’Omo held positions at Canisius College as an Assistant Professor of Labor Relations and Human Resources and St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where he was a Professor of Management and also held a sequence of academic and administrative leadership positions—Dean of the Haub School of Business, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Vice President for External Affairs. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Dell’Omo spent seven years as a human resources executive in the retail industry.
Dr. Dell’Omo serves on the boards of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, New Jersey Presidents’ Council (Executive Committee), Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey (Vice Chair, Executive Committee), Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Presidents’ Council, NJEdge.Net, Inc., and just completed a six-year term on the Board of the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Montclair State University, a Master of Science in industrial relations from Rutgers University, and a Ph.D. in industrial relations/human resource management from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also earned certifications at Harvard University from the Institute for Education Management.
Greg and his wife Polly have three grown children, four grandchildren and three granddogs.