Regis University Names Shawna Cooper Whitehead as 29th President, First Female Leader in University’s History

Seasoned higher education leader brings decades of student success experience to Denver’s Jesuit Catholic university

DENVER — Regis University’s Board of Trustees has named Shawna Cooper Whitehead, Ed.D. as the university’s 29th president, the organization announced today. Cooper Whitehead becomes the first female president in Regis University’s nearly 150-year history, bringing to the role extensive experience leading student affairs and academic support programs across a range of prestigious higher education institutions.

“Shawna Cooper Whitehead brings an exceptional record of student-centered leadership and a deep commitment to educational equity that aligns beautifully with our Jesuit mission,” said Derek Scarth, chair of the university’s board of trustees. “The board is proud to welcome the first female president in Regis University’s history and is confident that under her leadership, Regis will continue to grow as a beacon of Jesuit Catholic higher education in the Rocky Mountain West and beyond.”

Cooper Whitehead joins Regis from Boston College, where she has served as vice president of student affairs since 2021. During her tenure, she raised more than $20 million in philanthropic support for student affairs as part of the university's $3 billion Soaring Higher capital campaign. As a keynote speaker for the Wall Street Business Leadership Council, she deepened the university's ties with New York's business community around themes of formation, leadership, and ethics, while also serving as a panelist on "AI and the Future of Higher Ed." She launched the Circle Up initiative, training 50 students, faculty and staff in Indigenous-rooted restorative justice practices in 2023 and expanding to additional schools in subsequent years.

Prior to Boston College, she served as vice president of student services at Seton Hall University, where she was a member of the Executive Cabinet and provided leadership and guidance to facilitate decision-making in all matters related to student welfare. She served as chair of the Council for Student Success and co-chair of the University Diversity & Inclusion Committee and the Health Intervention and Communication Team. She has built a career spanning more than two decades across Jesuit and Catholic universities, top-tier research institutions, and professional schools, with expertise in enrollment management, strategic planning, and community engagement. Cooper Whitehead has also been a consistent voice on issues of student formation, restorative justice, and mission-centered leadership at Jesuit institutions.

Jacquie Box, vice-chair of the board of trustees and chair of the presidential search committee at Regis University, said Cooper Whitehead distinguished herself through her breadth of experience and unwavering commitment to student success. “Shawna’s record of building inclusive, innovative campus communities and her experience across a wide range of institutional types, from top-tier research universities to mission-driven Catholic institutions, made her the outstanding choice to lead Regis,” Box said. “Her vision for equitable and consistent student experiences combined with her collaborative approach to leadership will serve our students and this institution exceptionally well.”

Previously, Cooper Whitehead served as assistant provost at Loyola University Chicago. She also held roles as dean of students at the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago, director of African American Student Affairs at Northwestern University, assistant director of the Student Activities Office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and assistant dean of the School of Communication at Loyola University Chicago.

Cooper Whitehead earned a doctorate of education from Boston University, a master of education degree from National Louis University and a bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois.

"I just can’t wait to be a part of this community,” said Cooper Whitehead. “It is a blessing to have the opportunity to serve the mission and the incredible people that make up Regis University. My experience in Jesuit higher education has brought out the best in me professionally and personally, and I hope to give that same gift to all our students, faculty, staff and everyone in the Regis community. I’m ready to get started.”

Cooper Whitehead is expected to assume the presidency on July 1st.