Marylou Yam

Marylou Yam (born ) is an American nurse, academic administrator, and researcher. She has served as the 14th president of Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) since 2014. During her presidency, she has overseen the university's transition from an all-women's college to a co-educational institution, led its largest-ever fundraising campaign, and established Maryland's first programs in art therapy.

Early life and education Yam was born in The Bronx, New York, and spent much of her early life in New York City and New Jersey. She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Mercy College before receiving degrees in nursing education from Columbia University. That same year, she was awarded a citation of merit by the New Jersey College and University Coalition of Women's Education for her work in developing a program focused on gender, race, and class in core curriculum. The same year, Yam helped announce two new programs designed to advance the education of registered nurses, including a "bridge" program for nurses with undergraduate degrees in fields other than nursing. During her tenure, Yam played a role in Saint Peter's transition from a college to a university. In 2022, Yam led the 130-year-old historically all-women's undergraduate college through its transition to admit male students. Following this change, the university experienced a "dramatic increase in enrollment". Yam also guided the university through its largest-ever fundraising campaign, which raised $52.6 million, and saw its endowment grow by 40% to approximately $52.3 million.

Under her leadership, NDMU established several new academic programs. The university created NDMU Online, a fully remote degree option, and launched Maryland's first bachelor's and master's programs in art therapy. Yam also directed the acquisition of the former Maryland University of Integrative Health, creating the School of Integrative Health at NDMU. This made Notre Dame of Maryland the first comprehensive university in the United States with a school dedicated solely to integrative health, a move expected to add 500 students and increase the graduate population by nearly 50%.

On October 22, 2025, after 12 years as president, Yam announced she would retire. Her retirement was effective June 30 of the following year.

Personal life Yam is married to David Yam, a cytology manager at Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. They have one son, Michael Yam, who is a sports broadcast journalist in San Francisco.