Trustees, President Peñalver Agree to Three-Year Extension

Monday, June 17, 2024

Under the president’s leadership, the university’s academic visibility has grown along with its positioning for long-term success.

The Seattle University Board of Trustees and President Eduardo Peñalver have agreed to a three-year extension of his contract, running through June 30, 2029.

Peñalver became Seattle University’s 22nd President—and first lay president—on July 1, 2021, replacing Stephen Sundborg, S.J. He served the previous seven years as Dean of the Cornell Law School.

Under President Peñalver, the board noted Seattle University’s progress in bringing visibility to its academic excellence and positioning the university for growth and long-term success in a rapidly changing higher education environment.

“We appreciate President Peñalver’s deep commitment to centering the university’s work and culture on the excellence and rigor of our Jesuit, Catholic education,” says Board of Trustee’s Chair Patrick Callans. “He is keenly aware of the paramount role it plays in providing students with a formative, life-changing learning experience that prepares them to succeed professionally and personally and empowers them as leaders for a just and humane world.”

The first half of 2024 has been a banner and transformative year for Seattle University under Peñalver’s leadership with:

“The Board is grateful for Eduardo’s leadership and looks forward to working with him in the years ahead to help the university reach even greater heights,” Callans says.

Monday, June 17, 2024