Donal O'Shea is a Canadian mathematician, who is also noted for his bestselling books. He served as the fifth president of New College of Florida in Sarasota, from July 1, 2012, until June 30, 2021. He was succeeded by Patricia Okker on July 1, 2021. Before coming to New College, he served in various roles at Mount Holyoke College, including professor of mathematics, dean of faculty, and vice president for academic affairs.O'Shea graduated with a B.Sc. from Harvard College, and received a Ph.D. in mathematics from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario in 1981; his thesis, titled On μ-Equivalent Families of Singularities, was written under the direction of Albert John Coleman.