University President, Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., Ph.D. has agreed to represent the Northeast Conference on the Division I Presidential Forum. His term of service will begin in April of 2018, and continue through August 31, 2021.

"I am honored to have been appointed to the NCAA Division I Presidential Forum," said Fr. Malachi. "I look forward to representing the Northeast Conference and Saint Francis University on the national level of the NCAA. I welcome the opportunity to promote Franciscan values in the realm of intercollegiate athletics and to help move the NCAA's strategic goals forward."

The Presidential Forum is comprised of one president or chancellor from each of the 32 Division I Conferences. The purpose of the forum is to assist the NCAA Division I Board of Directors in accomplishing its strategic mission in the Division I governance structure and help ensure that the NCAA core value involving presidential leadership of intercollegiate athletics at the campus, conference and national level is achieved.

Fr. Malachi will replace President Ronald K. Machtley of Bryant University, who served on the committee since 2015.