Carolyn Noll Sorg, a proud graduate of Independence High School (Class of 2002), has been selected as the 27th president of John Carroll University (JCU).
Noll Sorg currently serves as JCU’s Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, a role she has held since 2023. In that time, she has overseen remarkable growth and institutional gains: her teams have delivered the largest two-year increase in first-year enrollment the university has seen this century, boosted geographic and demographic diversity — including a 43% increase in out-of-state students since 2023 — and guided the school through major marketing and modernization efforts.
In addition to institutional expansion, she has been instrumental in shaping JCU’s future direction. Under her leadership, the university launched “Onward,” a new signature initiative designed to reimagine the student experience — integrating academic formation, personal development, and career preparation in a unified model.
A native of Northeast Ohio, Noll Sorg’s journey from Independence High to leading a respected Jesuit university stands as a testament to her deep roots in the region and long commitment to education. She holds a B.A. in English (summa cum laude) from Baldwin Wallace University, an M.A. in Higher Education from Columbia University, and an M.F.A. in Experience Design from Miami University.
“I am honored to be selected as the 27th president of John Carroll University,” Noll Sorg said in a statement from JCU. “I’m excited to build on all that has been accomplished and work alongside our talented team to serve students with clarity, purpose, and mission.”
Her appointment is historic: she will become JCU’s first woman president in its 139-year history and only the third lay leader overall.
“As Carolyn's eighth-grade United States history teacher, she was a brilliant writer, highly motivated, and one of the most genuine students that I ever had the honor of teaching,” said Independence High School teacher Bill McGuinness. “As a JCU alumnus myself, I am so happy that Carolyn will be leading the university into the future. They could not have chosen a finer individual.”
Her journey reflects the essence of Independence Local Schools’ vision to “Cultivate a Legacy of Excellence.” From her early days in the halls of Independence High School to becoming the first woman president of a major Jesuit institution, Noll Sorg exemplifies the leadership and lifelong commitment to learning and the kind of character and dedication that continue to inspire students and alumni alike.