Belmont Abbey College Names Michael S. Shanley as Inaugural Chief of Staff and Vice President of Board Affairs
Belmont Abbey College Names Michael S. Shanley as Inaugural Chief of Staff and Vice President of Board Affairs
Belmont, N.C. (August 5th, 2026) – Belmont Abbey College is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael S. Shanley as its inaugural Chief of Staff and Vice President of Board Affairs, a newly created executive leadership position established to strengthen institutional alignment, support the Office of the President, and enhance governance across the college. A retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, Shanley brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience spanning military service, government, and the private sector to the College’s senior leadership team.
As Chief of Staff and Vice President of Board Affairs, Shanley serves as a principal advisor to President Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley and a trusted partner to the Board of Trustees. He leads the Office of the President, oversees executive operations, and coordinates strategic initiatives across the institution to strengthen alignment, governance, and execution while advancing Belmont Abbey College’s Catholic and Benedictine mission. The creation of this position reflects the college’s continued investment in strategic leadership and operational excellence as it advances its long-term mission and institutional priorities. He also oversees Board Affairs and serves as the primary liaison between the President and the Board of Trustees.
“Mike is an accomplished leader whose career has been defined by integrity, service, and a commitment to excellence,” said Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley, President of Belmont Abbey College. “His extensive experience leading complex organizations and advising senior leaders will be an invaluable asset to Belmont Abbey as we continue to advance our mission. We are thrilled to welcome Mike and his family to our community.”
“I am honored to join Belmont Abbey College in this new leadership role and become part of a community grounded in faith, academic excellence, and service,” said Shanley. “The college’s Catholic and Benedictine mission resonates deeply with me, and I look forward to working alongside Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley, the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and students to help advance Belmont Abbey’s strategic priorities and continue building on its strong foundation.”
Prior to joining Belmont Abbey, Shanley served as the Commanding General of the 85th Army Reserve Support Command, leading an organization of more than 4,100 personnel with subordinate units across 25 states and managing a $30 million annual operating budget. He also served as Director of Corporate Development at Halvik, a government contractor specializing in information technology solutions and support.
Earlier in his career, Shanley served as Deputy Commanding Officer and Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army’s Innovation Command, where he synchronized enterprise operations and supported innovation and modernization efforts across the Army. Commissioned as an Army officer in 1996, he retired as a Brigadier General after a distinguished military career marked by leadership at every level, from platoon to division command.
Throughout his military and civilian careers, Shanley has built a reputation for aligning organizations around strategic priorities, fostering collaboration, and translating vision into action. His military decorations include two Legions of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, six Meritorious Service Medals, and numerous other awards and honors.
Shanley earned a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University, a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Mike and his wife, Krista, have three children.
For more information about Belmont Abbey College, please visit www.belmontabbeycollege.edu.
About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit belmontabbeycollege.edu.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sarah Bolton
P: 704-461-7016 E: sarahbolton@bac.edu
