Gonzaga’s gathering of greats: New era on the horizon
A thrilling sense of excitement and joy envelops Gonzaga University as it prepares to usher in a new era with the installation of its new president this Friday.
Dr Katia Passerini, the university’s 27th president, will assume her role at the McCarthey Athletic Center on September 26, during a celebration that will gather distinguished scholars and honor the institution’s impressive latest ranking.
In a historic moment for Gonzaga, Dr Passerini will become the first woman to hold this esteemed position, marking a huge milestone in the university’s legacy.
She is an accomplished academic and a seasoned university administrator, who previously served as the interim president at Seton Hall University (SHU) during the 2023-24 academic year. More recently, she worked as the provost and senior executive vice president at SHU.
Her professional background includes multi-industry projects at Booz Allen Hamilton and the World Bank, where she focused on information technology initiatives in Europe and North America. She is a certified project management professional and has worked on various projects in the automotive, telecommunications and higher education sectors.
Passerini was a Fulbright Student Scholar and Fulbright Administrator Scholar, as well as an Italian National Research Council Fellow.
Gonzaga University has been recognized as one of America’s most innovative higher education institutions in the US News and World Report’s Best Colleges 2026 rankings. For the seventh consecutive year, Gonzaga has secured a position on the ranking of national universities, placing among the top 24 percent of the 434 schools listed nationally. Several of its programs have been recognized as some of the best in their respective fields. This year, Gonzaga achieved a notable ranking of No. 48 on the US News list of “Most Innovative National Universities”, a significant improvement from being unranked in this category previously. The recognition reflects the university’s strong commitment to innovative student learning, the expansion of academic opportunities in new fields of study, and its unwavering dedication to Gonzaga’s mission of preparing students for lives of leadership and service in a rapidly changing world.
Among the recent landmarks on campus that highlight Gonzaga’s innovative spirit is the creation of the Institute for Informatics and Applied Technology. This dynamic institute collaborates across all academic disciplines to weave artificial intelligence into coursework, while passionately upholding Gonzaga’s Catholic, Jesuit, and humanistic values. It nurtures students’ ability to engage in reflective and critical thinking, ensuring their holistic development. Gonzaga has also enriched its academic offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, particularly in exciting fields such as data science, cybersecurity, public health, and neuroscience. The Center for Lifelong Learning remains dedicated to introducing new programs and forging partnerships that extend the Gonzaga education to students beyond the traditional undergraduate experience. Additionally, the University has made a substantial investment in enhancing its research laboratory spaces within the John and Joan Bollier Center for Integrated Science and Engineering. “These rankings are a testament to Gonzaga’s unique ability to harmonize tradition with innovation—honoring our Jesuit mission while embracing transformative opportunities that shape the future of education,” says Passerini. “We are committed to fostering environments where students can develop as well-rounded individuals, excel in their chosen fields, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.”
