Quincy University’s Board of Trustees is pleased to welcome five new members to its governing board: Megan Breheny, Michael Elbe, Reverend William McIntyre, OFM, Jarja Phillips and Bryan Stokes.
“Quincy University is fortunate to welcome this exceptional group to the Board of Trustees,” said Jean Buckley, chair of the QU Board of Trustees. “Each brings unique expertise, wisdom and a deep commitment to service. Together, they will help guide the university as we continue advancing our Catholic and Franciscan mission and serving our students.”
With the addition of these five individuals, the Quincy University Board of Trustees now consists of 25 current members, including 14 Quincy University alumni and four Franciscan friars. Collectively, the board brings together leaders from higher education, business, communications, ministry, human resources and community leadership, providing broad experience and diverse perspectives to help guide the university’s future.
“We’re grateful these outstanding individuals have agreed to serve Quincy University,” said President Brian McGee. “They bring tremendous experience, sound judgment and a shared commitment to our Catholic and Franciscan mission. I know they’ll strengthen an already exceptional Board of Trustees, and I look forward to working with them as we continue preparing our students for lives of purpose and service.”
Megan Breheny, a 2006 graduate of Quincy University, is a communications and public relations professional based in Decatur, Illinois, with experience spanning government relations, nonprofit leadership, media and public affairs. After graduating, she worked for a year in the Illinois Governor’s Office, focusing on government relations and constituent engagement. She also served as a liaison for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, connecting communities and stakeholders with state resources and economic development initiatives.
Deeply invested in the Decatur community, Breheny co-hosts Soy City Buzz, a talk radio program, with her father and QU alumnus Kevin Breheny, highlighting local stories, events, nonprofit work, businesses and community initiatives. She also is the parish engagement coordinator at Holy Family Catholic Church in Decatur, supporting parish communications, outreach and engagement efforts. Further, Breheny is a member of Quincy University’s comprehensive campaign steering committee.
Michael Elbe, a 1986 graduate of Quincy University, was president and CEO of John Wood Community College from 2014 to 2022, having joined the institution in 1990. He previously served as vice president for student services at JWCC and held various roles there, including director of student life and athletics. Over his 35 years in higher education, he also worked at the University of Dubuque and the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Elbe has served on multiple boards, including the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Adams County, and the Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF), where he served as chair. Currently, he is a member of the Tri-State Development Summit Board, the Liberty Bank Board and the Blessing-Reiman College of Nursing & Health Sciences Board. His community service has been recognized with multiple awards, including the 2018 Joe Bonasinga Award and the 2021 Thomas A. Oakley Award.
Elbe earned an Education Specialist degree in administration (Ed.S.) from William
Woods University, a master’s degree in education from the University of South Alabama, and a bachelor’s degree in education from Quincy University, along with an Illinois K-12 teaching certificate.
Reverend William McIntyre, OFM, is a Franciscan friar and priest. McIntyre serves as vice president of mission and ministry at Padua Franciscan High School in Cleveland, Ohio. From 2023 to 2025, he worked at Mount Irenaeus, a Franciscan mountain retreat in Friendship, New York. While there, he held roles in the University Ministries Department and also served as an adjunct professor of world languages and cultures at St. Bonaventure University. Before that, McIntyre served in Franciscan parishes in Wilmington, Delaware; Durham, North Carolina; and Macon, Georgia.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, with a minor in theology, from St. Bonaventure University in western New York in 1987. In 1995, he earned a Master of Divinity from the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. McIntyre became a professed Franciscan friar (OFM) in June 1990 and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in May 1995.
Jarja Phillips, a 1998 graduate of Quincy University, is a retail executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience at Fortune 500 companies, including Walmart, Comcast, NBCUniversal and Kohl’s. In her current role as vice president of human resources at Kohl’s, Phillips leads HR strategy and execution for more than 70,000 associates across 1,150 stores.
Before joining Kohl’s, Phillips was senior director of human resources at Comcast NBCUniversal, where she led HR strategy for the cable division. She began her career at Walmart as a manager-in-training and steadily advanced, holding leadership roles in store operations, human resources and labor relations.
Phillips has received several honors throughout her career, including the Ohio Diversity Council’s Glass Ceiling Award and the Human Resources Excellence Award. She holds an MBA
and a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Outside of work, Phillips is dedicated to community service and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Bryan Stokes is president and owner of Quincy Recycle, a waste stream management and recycling company headquartered in Quincy, Illinois. Since joining the family business in 1995 as operations manager, Stokes has helped lead the company through decades of growth and innovation, expanding operations throughout the Midwest while building a reputation for operational excellence, sustainability and people-first leadership.
Stokes has extensive experience in business leadership, operations, finance and strategic growth. He is known for his collaborative leadership style and ability to build strong teams and partnerships. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Illinois State University. In addition to his role at Quincy Recycle, he serves on the board of the Moorman Foundation and actively participates in community initiatives.
Stokes and his wife, Brooke Stokes, a 1999 graduate of Quincy University, have been longtime supporters and advocates of the university and its mission. Through their leadership, philanthropy and engagement, they have remained active partners in advancing Catholic higher education and strengthening the Quincy community.
Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University is a small Catholic university emphasizing the sciences, liberal arts and the professions. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate and adult education programs integrating practical experience and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with students to design customized success plans to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. QU is a member of NCAA Division II for intercollegiate athletics. For more information, please visit www.quincy.edu or contact the Office of Community Relations at (217) 228-5275 or [email protected]. Quincy University. Success by Design.
Quincy University Board of Trustees welcomes five new members
