July 09, 2020
Ann Manchester-Molak ’75 is first woman to serve as executive vice president of Providence College
Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. ’78 & ’82G, president of Providence College, has appointed Ann Manchester-Molak ’75 to the position of executive vice president, the second-highest administrative position at the College. She is the first woman, and the first lay person, to hold the post in College history.
“Ann has been an invaluable and trusted colleague for years, is highly respected by the campus community and the Board of Trustees, and is the person whom, I feel, is eminently qualified to assist me in my new role,” said Father Sicard, who became the College’s 13th president on July 1. “I can’t say enough good things about her, and I’m so grateful that she has accepted this offer.”
Manchester-Molak, whose appointment took effect on July 1, was a member of the College’s first four-year graduating class to include women. She earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities, then was awarded a master of arts degree in communications and journalism from Purdue University. After working in television news, she became director of public information at PC in 1980.
Through her four decades at the College, her communications expertise, along with her commitment to PC and her deep appreciation for its mission, led to a series of assignments of increasing responsibility and impact.
Manchester-Molak was founding director of the College’s first Publications Center, then was named executive director of college events, overseeing all major events and conferences. In 2006, she was appointed assistant vice president for college relations and planning, a position she held until 2010, when she joined the president’s office as executive assistant to Father Shanley and Father Sicard.
In January 2019, Manchester-Molak was named vice president for external affairs, marketing, and board relations, and became a member of the President’s Senior Cabinet. The position was created in response to the College’s new strategic plan, PC200. While assuming her new responsibilities, Manchester-Molak continued to oversee daily operations of the president’s office and served as liaison to the Board of Trustees, the Dominican Province of St. Joseph, the Diocese of Providence, state government officials, and other constituencies.
Manchester-Molak was a special lecturer in PC’s School of Continuing Education from 2002-2012. She has been a member of the Public Relations Society of America since 1996.
A Rhode Island native who is active in her community and her parish, Manchester-Molak lives in Barrington with her husband, Andrew Molak, D.M.D. ’75. They are the parents of three grown children.
