Buffalo, NY – Canisius University Professor and Associate Dean Mark R. Harrington MS ’10, MS ’22, EdD, is the 2025 recipient of the Magis Award for Excellence in Leadership. Conferred by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities’ (AJCU) network for Jesuit Student Success, the award honors an individual who demonstrates excellence in their leadership of people, programs and practices and whose dedication and commitment have had a significant impact on the academic and personal success of students. AJCU recognized Harrington, specifically, for integrating Ignatian values into his work to create an environment that fosters growth, motivation and achievement in students and faculty, alike.
“Dr. Harrington’s visionary leadership as the founding chair and president of the AJCU Student Success Network exemplifies the Ignatian ideal of Magis—striving for the greater good,” says Andy Wilson, PhD, senior associate vice president of student success at Loyola University Chicago. “His diligence and commitment to equity, collaboration, and student-centered innovation have laid a foundation that will uplift generations across Jesuit institutions.”
Colleagues across the Jesuit network nominated Harrington for his innovative strategies, unwavering support of colleagues, and passion for student success, which has inspired students to reach their full potential and thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Additionally, his colleagues applauded his demonstrated leadership, building upon the Jesuit Student Success Network, laying the foundation through initiatives such as the creation of our constitution and executive board, while staying true to the grassroots origins.
Harrington served as the founding chair and inaugural president of the Jesuit Student Success Network when it was established in 2023 for the purpose of sharing strategies and best practices across the network’s 27 member institutions. In this role, he set the tone for a culture of shared leadership and responsibility for the Ignatian mission, developing opportunities for professional growth for his Jesuit colleagues.
Since joining Canisius University in 2018, Harrington has served in multiple leadership capacities.
Currently, he is the associate dean of the School of Education and Leadership Studies, director of the graduate program in Higher Education Leadership and Administration, and associate professor and co-chair of the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership.
For five academic years, 2019 through 2024, Harrington served as the university’s senior student success officer. During his tenure in this role, Harrington implemented numerous research-based, high-impact practices to best serve the diverse student population. These initiatives include implementing a proactive model of academic support, creating a comprehensive first-year experience program, establishing student success teams for both undergraduate and graduate students, and developing programming for first-generation students.
The Magis Award for Excellence in Leadership adds to Harrington's growing list of professional honors. In 2023, he received the Distinguished Service to the Profession Award from the College Student Personnel Association of New York State. In 2022, he was honored with the Eminence in Mentorship Award from CSPA-NYS. He was also previously recognized with the Ignatian Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Jesuit Student Affairs from the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators (JASPA).
Harrington earned his bachelor's degree from Emmanuel College in counseling and health psychology, a master's degree in college student personnel administration and one in sport management and administration, both from Canisius University, and a doctorate in higher education leadership from Regis College.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
