Christine M. Riordan, the first woman to serve as Adelphi University's president, is leaving her role after nearly a decade at the helm of the academic institution, officials announced Friday.

"After 10 years leading the university, Dr. Christine M. Riordan is concluding her service as the 10th president of Adelphi University," Michael Balboni, chair of the college's board of trustees, said in a statement.

"We recognize Dr. Riordan’s leadership and commitment to the Adelphi community. We thank her for her service and lasting contributions, and wish her the best in her future endeavors," he said.

University officials did not elaborate on the circumstances of Riordan's departure and Riordan could not be reached for comment.

Balboni said the board has appointed provost and executive vice president Christopher Storm Jr. as interim president, effective immediately. Storm joined the Garden City university in 2007 and has been an assistant professor of mathematics and later an associate provost, before being elevated to provost in 2021.

"Dr. Storm has led the university through several challenges, including ensuring seamless, high-quality academic offerings before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic; leading the most recent negotiations resulting in the faculty collective bargaining agreement; and expanding the prioritization of scholarship and creative works within the Provost’s Office," Balboni said in his statement.

Adelphi's board will launch a national search for the university's 11th president, he said.

"Throughout this transition, the board will partner closely with Interim President Storm and the administration to support our community," Balboni said. "Our university’s mission has never been more critical, and we will be working to strengthen Adelphi and continue creating extraordinary educational opportunities for students and families."

Riordan, who previously served as provost of the University of Kentucky, was appointed president of Adelphi in 2015. She replaced Robert A. Scott.

During her tenure, she "spearheaded the development of the university’s strategic plan for 2022-2027, Momentum 2, with increasingly innovative goals and thoughtful input from more than 1,400 students, alumni, faculty and staff. Under her leadership, the university has launched more than 50 innovative new academic degree programs," according to her biography posted on the university website.

Adelphi achieved a record-high student retention rate under her watch and "was repeatedly recognized for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, student social mobility and alumni outcomes," Balboni said in his statement.

In 2021, Riordan earned more than $1 million in total compensation — including base salary, a bonus and other related compensation, Newsday reported in 2023. Her current salary was not immediately available. 

Riordan received her MBA and PhD in organizational behavior from Georgia State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in textile engineering, now known as materials science engineering, from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Riordan was dean of the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver in Colorado from 2008 to 2013, Newsday previously reported.  

Adelphi was founded in 1896. As of the fall of 2024, the university had enrolled more than 5,300 full-time and part-time undergraduate students and more 2,200 graduate students, according to university figures.