When Bryan Cain, Ph.D., officially stepped into Endicott College’s presidency on March 1, it marked the beginning of a new chapter for an institution already riding a wave of momentum.
But if you think you already know the new president, think again.
We recently sat down with Bryan—yes, he likes to be called by his first name—to reflect on the changes he’s seen at Endicott over nearly a decade in a variety of leadership roles. Along the way, he welcomed us into the values shaping his leadership, the opportunities he sees ahead for the College, and a few unexpected insights—from countless Dateline marathons to a phone currently held together with duct tape.
Consider this your introduction to President Bryan: mission-driven, community-focused, and just quirky enough to keep things interesting.
Interview has been edited for clarity and length.
You’ve served as Acting and then Interim President during a period of significant momentum for Endicott. What has this time taught you about the College and its community, and what excites you most about this moment for Endicott?
Cain: What excites me most is the passion that everyone here—students, alumni, faculty, staff, donors, and friends—has for Endicott College. Look what just happened on Giving Day! The entire community has been asking for visibility and presence from the President’s Office for years, and that aligns with my philosophy. More than 500 new and re-engaged donors came out after Monday’s announcement, and we beat last year’s record by more than $50,000. Our community has taught me that when I show up, so will every community member—that’s what we do!
How would you describe your leadership philosophy as you step into the presidency? What can the Endicott community expect from you?
Cain: My leadership style is based on mission-focused transparency and innovation. I say frequently, “Keep the main thing the main thing: to inspire leadership through transformational learning.” And when anyone approaches me with a new idea, whether it’s a trustee, student, faculty member, staff member, or community member, my question is: how does your idea inspire leadership through transformational learning? Because my style is built on accessibility, anyone who passes by should be prepared to answer that question.
Finally, coming up through the PR and crisis management ranks, my internal philosophy is to always absorb the chaos and reflect calm and hope.
You’ve talked a lot about reinvesting in Endicott; what does that mean to you in practical terms?
Cain: Reinvesting in Endicott means exactly one thing to me: are we being good stewards with every dollar spent? Remember, my philosophy is to ask, “How does this inspire leadership through transformational learning?” So, as we move forward, investing in our mission is reinvesting year after year in Endicott. Right down to my future inauguration. I wouldn’t expect a traditional, separate inauguration event. Because, as I stated in my first community-wide letter as the president, this isn’t about me. It’s about us.
Are you saying you’re foregoing a traditional inauguration altogether? Where would you rather see that energy and funding go?
Cain: My vision right now is that the academic tradition of an inauguration takes place with another beautiful academic tradition: Convocation 2026. The incoming class and I will begin together!
And without a traditional separate event, we’ll be able to reinvest those dollars to support students in every way we can. With everything going on in our society right now, new students need more academic and social support than ever before, and we have to be ready.
Finally, a traditional inauguration is meant to introduce a new president to the community at large, including elected officials, donors, alumni, students, faculty, and staff. Well, I just received a congratulatory call from Governor [Maura] Healey and spoke to Congressman [Seth] Moulton and Senator [Ed] Markey recently. Having been on Endicott’s campus and living in Gloucester and Beverly for nine years, I have close relationships with all of our constituents. I would rather reinvest in Endicott than through a big party just for me.
When you think about the student experience at Endicott today, what are you most proud of, and where do you see the greatest opportunities?
Cain: Without a doubt, I am most proud of our investments in the Wellness Center and the mental health support structures that we have worked tirelessly to build since I took on Student Affairs six years ago. That’s an area in which we will continue to invest and support.
Opportunity abounds! In creating new programs to keep up with a rapidly changing society, in residence hall renovations to support how students live, which directly impacts how they learn, and in generating more auxiliary revenue to reinvest in the College’s future. We have a lot on our plate, and I am so excited to begin the strategic planning process with the entire community.
The College is known for the Endicott Experiential Edge and real-world preparation. How do you envision strengthening that promise for the next generation of students?
Cain: The strength of the Endicott Experiential Edge lies in its integration of a rigorous liberal arts foundation, ethical leadership, and hands-on learning. In an era defined by artificial intelligence and global uncertainty, that model becomes even more essential. We will strengthen this promise by ensuring that every student graduates not only with professional skills but also with the critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and adaptability that the liberal arts cultivate. AI cannot replace judgment, creativity, and human-centered leadership. Our responsibility is to help students learn how to work with emerging technologies while grounding their decisions in ethics and social responsibility.
If you could fast-forward five years, what would you hope people say about Endicott?
Cain: I would hope people say that Endicott College has fully realized the promise of the Endicott Experiential Edge; that we are widely recognized as a premier teaching-focused institution where a strong liberal arts foundation meets meaningful real-world learning.
I want people to say that Endicott graduates stand out because they are not only career-ready, but intellectually curious and adaptable. Our students would be known for their ability to connect theory with practice, engaging deeply with faculty in the classroom while also participating in research, internships, and applied learning experiences that prepare them to solve complex challenges.
Ultimately, I would hope the narrative is that Endicott has become a national model for how a liberal arts-based institution can combine exceptional teaching, undergraduate research, and experiential education to prepare students for leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Commencement is just around the corner, and it’s one of the most celebratory and hopeful moments of our students’ lives. Do you remember how you felt on your own graduation day when you received your BA in Speech Communication from Wayne State? Did you leave with a clear sense of purpose?
Cain: Believe it or not, I didn’t attend my commencement for my bachelor’s. As a first-generation college student, I worked my way through college and didn’t have the traditional college experience, so at the time, it didn’t seem important to me to attend commencement. I remember that my mom was so sad that I made this decision. I now see what a milestone it was, and it deserves to be celebrated. What I can say for sure is that the day I received my degree, my resumé was on the street, looking for my next adventure. Reaching goals means there’s never a time to wait or rest. Remember, not everything will be perfect, but doing something is better than nothing at all.
Finally, what’s something about you that people may be surprised to learn?
Cain: I feel like I’m an open book, but here goes …
I’m an antique tractor enthusiast; my dad was as well, and we grew up in rural northern Michigan using tractors for everything from plowing fields and roads to hay rides as children through the family homestead.
I absolutely love the cold weather; this winter has given me LIFE!
My favorite fan fiction involves Agent Aloysius Pendergast of the novels written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
I have an obsession with replacing my pillow every six months. Did you know your pillow gets 10% heavier every year as a result of dust mites?
I’m known to be rather cheap. Members of the President’s Cabinet have been making fun of me for weeks because my phone is currently held together with duct tape. When I lived in Detroit, I used to wait until after dark on yard-waste pickup day in search of fallen branches and logs for firewood. My husband put a stop to that after I used his car one night.
I love playing KENO. You’ll often find me at Fibber McGee’s on Cabot Street losing $10 on five four-spot games with the bonus. My numbers? 7, 26, 53, 54 … I need to get better numbers.
Finally, I’ve watched every single episode of Dateline, currently in its 34th season. That’s more than 3,000 episodes since 1992. And here’s what I’ve learned: It’s always the spouse, and you absolutely cannot get away with it.