View of Lone Mountain from above.

Presidential Search

The University of San Francisco is pleased to announce the search for its 29th president. The Presidential Search Committee and the Search Advisory Committee will guide the process, ensuring broad participation from the entire university community.

Community Input Survey

Gathering valuable input from the USF community is key to the search and will be used to develop the leadership profile and aid in the candidate selection process. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to participate in feedback sessions, offered in person and virtually.

All members of the community are also invited to participate in a confidential survey.

Take the Survey

Search Timeline

Following the decision by Rev. Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J., to step down after a decade serving as the 28th president as of Dec. 31, 2024, the USF Board of Trustees initiated the search for his successor. This process will involve substantial input from the university community to ensure a thoughtful and inclusive approach to selecting the next president.

The Presidential Search Committee (PSC) will prioritize transparency by engaging the USF community throughout the search. A Search Advisory Committee (SAC) has been established to facilitate feedback and provide input to the PSC. All community members will have opportunities to contribute their thoughts on the qualities and attributes needed in the new president.

USF has engaged the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to support both committees and assist in this national search. 

A general timeline will be shared when available, and updates will be communicated to the community regularly.

Faculty, librarians, students, staff, and alumni are encouraged to participate in shaping USF's future leadership.

Church at dawn.

Candidate Nominations

We invite confidential nominations of candidates who are visionary, inclusive, and dedicated to USF’s mission and values.

Nominations, Questions, and Feedback

Feedback Sessions

A Decade of Milestones

Fr Fitzgerald’s 10-year tenure featured strides across all areas at the university. From 2014 to 2024, USF upgraded facilities and systems, launched new programs, increased fundraising, completed a community-driven 5-year strategic plan, and navigated a global pandemic. Here are some of the decade's accomplishments.

 

USF's 5-year strategic plan

 

Students at BASE table.

Academic Excellence

  • Launch of Black Achievement Success and Engagement (BASE)
  • Opening of the Engineering program and the Innovation Hive
  • ABA reaccreditation for the School of Law
View of Lone Mountain dorms from above.

Enhanced Facilities

  • Renovation of Sobrato Center
  • Construction of Lone Mountain East residence hall and Koret Lodge
  • Purchase of Star Route Farms, a certified organic farm in Bolinas, California
Two people shaking hands.

Increased Fundraising

  • 70% growth in endowment
  • $312 million raised in the Changing the World from Here campaign
  • Increase in alumni engagement and donor retention through events such as the Silk Speaker Series
Student working on laptop.

Student Success

  • Transition to remote learning during COVID
  • Complete upgrade of USF academic and administrative technology systems, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure
  • High rankings on College Scorecard, US News & World Report

USF by the Numbers

#1

in campus diversity among national universities

U.S. News & World Report 2025
Best in the West
The Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition
Best Value

among national universities

U.S. News & World Report 2025
Top 15%

Featured in the Princeton Review Best 390 Colleges list for 2025
 

The Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition
96.9%

Satisfied or strongly satisfied on graduating student survey

#2

Best college location in California

NICHE 2024

Committees

Presidential Search Committee

The Presidential Search Committee is composed of current and former trustees and will recommend a finalist to the Board of Trustees for its consideration.

Co-Chairs

John F. Nicolai
Jeff Silk

Membership

Joseph Allanson
Jack Boland
Mary M. Del Santo
Rev. Michael Engh, S.J.
Judy C. Miner
Lindbergh Porter
Karen Rose
Nora Wu

Advisor

Rev. Michael J. Garanzini, S.J.

Search Advisory Committee

The Search Advisory Committee membership includes representatives from faculty, librarians, staff, the Jesuit community, students, and alumni. This committee has a vital role in the search process and will be responsible for facilitating feedback sessions, synthesizing feedback from all stakeholder groups, and communicating input to the Presidential Search Committee.

Co-Chairs

Mary Del Santo
Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

Eileen Fung
Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost

Membership

  • Xornam S. Apedoe
    Associate Professor, School of Education
  • Carlee Balzaretti
    Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Health Professions
  • Michael Hammond
    Adjunct Professor, College of Arts and Sciences; PTFA President
  • Jonathan Hunt
    Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Alice Kaswan
    Professor, School of Law
  • Sabrina Kwist
    Associate Vice Provost for Antiracism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Brandi Lawless
    Professor, College of Arts and Sciences; USFFA President
  • Patrick J. Lee, S.J.
    Rector, Jesuit Community
  • Francesca MacCormack
    Senior Director, Donor Services and Stewardship
  • Ana De Castro Maquiz
    Graduate Student Senate Representative
  • Carolina Martinez
    Quality Assurance Manager, ITS; Staff Council President
  • Hannah Mora
    President, USF Alumni Board
  • Eva Monroe
    Trustee Emerita
  • Angélica Quiñónez
    Director, University Ministry
  • Claire Sharifi
    Librarian, Gleeson Library
  • Edgar Silva
    Undergraduate Student Representative, University Budget Advisory Council
  • Neil Walshe
    Associate Professor, School of Management