Dear St. Edward’s University Community,
After deep reflection, prayer, and heartfelt gratitude, I write to share that the time has come for me to celebrate all that we have accomplished together and to prepare to pass the baton to the next leader who will build upon this remarkable moment in our history. This has never been the work of one individual. It has been the work of a dedicated community united by mission, courage, and shared purpose.
Serving as President of St. Edward’s University has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Together, we have not simply advanced an institution. We have brought a vision to life. That vision is now embodied in our culture, in our strengthened sense of belonging, in our academic excellence, and in the confidence with which we move forward.
When we began this journey, we set a bold aspiration to become a destination for a more just world. Because of your dedication and belief in what St. Edward’s can be, that aspiration became reality. Together we achieved the highest rankings in our institutional history. We earned Carnegie research designation, affirming the depth and rigor of our scholarship. We grew enrollment and strengthened retention. We celebrated historic philanthropic success, reflecting the trust that alumni, donors, and partners place in our mission and future.
We launched the School of Health Sciences and introduced programs in areas of greatest workforce demand, including nursing, positioning St. Edward’s as a vital contributor to the well being of Austin and beyond. We expanded athletics, adding five new teams and strengthening campus vitality and opportunity. We built meaningful and enduring partnerships across Austin and throughout the region, and this community responded with extraordinary generosity and belief in our shared vision.
Most importantly, we strengthened who we are. We deepened our Holy Cross mission. We invested in faculty excellence and reinforced shared governance. We supported staff leadership and enhanced student success. We cultivated a culture grounded in dignity, belonging, accountability, and shared responsibility.
I am profoundly thankful to our faculty for your scholarship, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to our students. I am grateful to our staff whose dedication sustains the daily life of this university. I am inspired by our students whose courage, talent, and aspirations remind us why this work matters. I am especially grateful to my cabinet and campus leadership team, whose wisdom, integrity, and steady partnership made every achievement possible. And I am deeply appreciative of our alumni, trustees, donors, and community partners whose confidence and generosity have propelled us forward.
I am proud to see the momentum continue. St. Edward’s stands strong, mission centered, academically vibrant, and financially sound. With gratitude and confidence in this extraordinary community, I am ready to pursue new opportunities where I can continue my passion for servant and transformational leadership.
As I set this transition in motion, I will move into a sabbatical beginning July 1. The Board of Trustees will share additional information later today regarding leadership plans and next steps.
I am profoundly thankful to the St. Edward’s University community for the trust you placed in me, for the generosity of spirit you extended throughout my presidency, and for the privilege of serving alongside you. St. Edward’s will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to supporting the continued success of this remarkable institution in the years ahead.
