Villanova University Names Raymond D. Duffy Vice President for Human Resources
VILLANOVA, Pa. (June 21, 2023) — Villanova University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, has announced the appointment of Raymond “Ray” D. Duffy, MS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CBP, as Vice President for Human Resources and Affirmative Action Officer, effective immediately. Duffy brings more than two decades of experience to this leadership role, most recently serving as Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Affirmative Action Officer at Villanova since 2019.
“Since joining the Villanova community, Ray has established himself as a collaborative and thoughtful leader and I am pleased to appoint him as a member of my University leadership team,” said Father Donohue. “Ray has overseen numerous enhancements to the University’s Human Resources area to better serve the Villanova community. In addition, his leadership and efforts in navigating the changes and challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic helped ensure that our most valuable asset, our employees, were well provided for throughout those uncertain times.”
As Vice President for Human Resources, Duffy serves as an Officer of the University and a member of Villanova’s leadership team. In his role as the University’s Chief Human Resources Officer and Affirmative Action Officer, Duffy provides strategic direction and oversight for all aspects of the University’s human resources function, including recruiting, retaining and supporting faculty and staff, managing the University’s comprehensive benefits and compensation program and professional development program, as well as initiatives supporting the institution’s commitment to work/life balance.
"I am truly humbled by this appointment and want to thank Fr. Peter Donohue and Villanova’s leadership for their trust and support," said Duffy. "Villanova is a place defined by its exceptional community, and I am extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish together. The Human Resources department has worked tirelessly to build the framework necessary for creating a world-class human resources service delivery model at Villanova University. This work will continue in the years ahead as we build upon that foundation.”
During his tenure at Villanova, Duffy has led efforts to expand the Office of Human Resources to better serve the Villanova community, including developing and enhancing recruitment and retention programs for faculty and staff. A new talent acquisition area was established to source and recruit faculty and staff to the University and the talent development operation was expanded to focus on additional training and professional development opportunities. Additionally, Human Resources has enhanced educational benefits for employees—increasing tuition remission for dependents to 100% and reducing the eligibility requirements for tuition exchange—and increased base wages for both staff and students while initiating a staff compensation study.
Duffy arrived at Villanova in 2010, following nine years of benefit management in both for profit and not for profit settings, most recently as the Benefits Manager for Christiana Care Health System. Prior to that, he managed benefit administration services at both Hewitt Associates (Aon) and Towers Perrin (Willis Towers Watson).
Duffy earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University and a Master of Science in Human Resource Development from Villanova University. During his time at Villanova, he has also served as an adjunct instructor in the College of Professional Studies teaching leadership studies and HR certification courses.
About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation’s top universities, Villanova supports its students’ intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.