Presidential Search for the 23rd President of Saint Peter's University

March 26, 2024

Dear Saint Peter’s University Community,

I am delighted to announce that after an extensive search process, we have appointed Hubert Benitez, D.D.S., Ph.D., as the 23rd president of Saint Peter’s University. Dr. Benitez brings a wealth of academic and leadership experience to this role and a deep commitment to the values that define our institution.

Dr. Benitez comes to us from American International College (AIC) in Springfield, MA, where he most recently served as president and chief executive officer. He has significant experience with public, private and Jesuit higher education institutions and his impressive track record in strategic planning, academic program development, health sciences education and institutional and programmatic accreditation demonstrates his dedication to excellence and innovation in higher education.

As our new president, Dr. Benitez will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Saint Peter’s and guiding us toward continued success amidst an evolving landscape for higher education. His passion, energy and leadership experience impressed all of us on the Presidential Search Committee. His strategic vision and dedication to our University’s mission will undoubtedly inspire and unite us all as we work together to achieve our shared goals.

I am confident that under his leadership, we will continue to thrive and uphold our commitment to educating a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, helping them excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment.

This decision comes after an extensive search process, led by our dedicated Presidential Search Committee, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the members for their hard work, dedication and expertise throughout this process.

• Maryellen Hamilton, Ph.D., Faculty Senate Secretary
• Joseph McLaughlin, Ed.D. ’77, Professor of Sociology and Urban Studies
• Rachel Wifall, Ph.D, Professor of English
• Devin A. Heyward, Ph.D., Director, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Taina Cutler, Executive Director, Center for Career Engagement and Experiential Learning
• Marquis James ’25, President, Student Government Association
• James M. Conti ’93, Trustee
• Joseph Costantino, S.J., Trustee
• Kevin J. Downes ’73, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
• Noreen Heath-Beaman ’86, Trustee
• Charles M. Lizza, Esq. ’77, Trustee
• Thomas P. Mac Mahon ’68, Trustee
• Maureen Pergola ’94, Trustee
• La Toro Yates, Ph.D. ’94, ’98, Trustee
• Stephen R. Reynolds, Esq., President & CEO, Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey

These members invested countless hours reviewing applications, conducting interviews and deliberating to ensure that we found a leader who not only embodies our University’s values, but also possesses the talent, vision and experience to guide us into the future. Their commitment and unwavering focus on finding the best candidate for our University have been truly commendable.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to congratulate and thank President Cornacchia for his dedicated service, deep commitment and tremendous accomplishments for Saint Peter’s. We will be forever grateful for his leadership.
We will have the opportunity to welcome Dr. Benitez to our campus community in the coming weeks before he officially takes on his role on July 1. I know he and his family will feel welcome, connected and right at home as they join us in Jersey City. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Moore, CFA ’91 Chair, Board of Trustees

March 18, 2024

To the Saint Peter’s University Community,

As I mentioned in my previous communications, we are following a very thorough search process to find our next University president, and I want to provide you with a brief update as we near its conclusion.

The Board of Trustees met last week and endorsed a final presidential candidate, whom we look forward to introducing to the community soon. We are confidentially working through the last stage of this process as we finalize details surrounding this appointment. We expect to make a formal announcement shortly thereafter.

I share this update in the spirit of transparency as well as to set expectations for this news. As you would expect, this week our focus as a community is on supporting our men’s basketball team, the newly minted 2024 MAAC Champions, as they travel to Charlotte, N.C., to take on the University of Tennessee Volunteers in the first round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. Congratulations to the team, Coach Mason and his entire staff on this tremendous accomplishment.

I look forward to communicating with you soon and Let’s Go Peacocks!

Sincerely,

Kenneth Moore, CFA ’91 Chair, Board of Trustees

Thursday, January 25, 2024

To the Saint Peter’s University Community,

The Presidential Search Committee just completed two full days of interviewing 10 semi-finalist candidates for the position of 23rd president of Saint Peter’s University.

The committee was excited about the caliber of the candidates and the experiences, vision and energy they would bring to the University.

From the group of 10 we have selected the finalists, who will be invited to meet with additional stakeholders for more extensive meetings in the coming weeks.

We are still on target to have a final selection made by the members of the University Board of Trustees by early March.

I look forward to that announcement and working together toward the next chapter in Saint Peter’s University history.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Moore, CFA ’91 Chair, Board of Trustees

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

To the Saint Peter’s University Community,

The Presidential Search Committee met once again with our consultants from Isaacson, Miller and we are one step closer in the search for the 23rd president of Saint Peter’s University.

After much research, discussion and deliberation we were able to narrow the candidate pool to nine very qualified semi-finalists whom we plan to interview in the new year.

We look forward to meeting these candidates and learning more about their work and how it has prepared them to successfully lead Saint Peter’s into the future.

After interviewing these nine candidates, the committee will invite three to four finalists for a more in-depth round of interviews. The final selection will then be made by the members of the University Board of Trustees.

Please continue to send comments, questions or feedback to presidentialsearch@saintpeters.edu and check here for more information.

I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a relaxing winter break. I look forward to updating you in the new year.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Moore, CFA ’91 Chair, Board of Trustees

Thursday, November 9, 2023

To the Saint Peter’s University Community,

This week, the Presidential Search Committee met with our consultants from Isaacson, Miller to review a preliminary group of candidates for the role of 23rd president of Saint Peter’s University.

We were delighted to see such robust interest in the position from candidates with a diversity of backgrounds from all across the country.

With the help of the Isaacson, Miller team we will be learning more about these individuals over the coming weeks – what drives them to want to lead Saint Peter’s University and how they see themselves fitting into the University community and making their impact here. At the same time, the Isaacson, Miller team will continue their efforts in identifying additional candidates for us to consider.

We plan to interview semi-finalists early in the new year. Finalists will then be brought to campus in mid-winter to meet with a few key members of the community before being presented to the Board of Trustees for their final selection.

Please continue to send comments, questions or feedback to presidentialsearch@saintpeters.edu and check here for more information.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Moore, CFA ’91 Chair, Board of Trustees

Thursday, October 19, 2023

To the Saint Peter’s University Community,

I am happy to report that the position profile for the 23rd president of Saint Peter’s University is finalized and is available on the Isaacson, Miller website linked here. A national search is underway and the search committee looks forward to meeting qualified candidates over the next few months.

We now need your help to nominate candidates that you think would be a good fit for the position. As members of the Saint Peter’s University community, you know our mission best. Help us to find the candidate that can lead us into the future as we continue to educate a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment.

I am excited to be part of this next chapter in Saint Peter’s University history and with your help and the work of the committee and our partners at Isaacson, Miller I am confident we will find the best person to guide the University forward.

Please continue to send comments, questions or feedback to presidentialsearch@saintpeters.edu and check here for more information.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Moore, CFA ’91 Chair, Board of Trustees

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

To the Saint Peter’s University Community,

I am writing with an update on the search for the 23rd president of Saint Peter’s University.

We saw great attendance at the listening sessions held on campus and via Zoom with our search firm partner – Isaacson, Miller. They were particularly impressed with the student participation in the process.

Thank you for your thoughtful feedback in this important part of the search process. You shared what you feel are the most important attributes for the next president, the challenges you feel they will face and the direction you see the University heading under their leadership. If you were unable to attend you can still be heard by completing a survey found here.

Your input is essential as the search committee begins to develop the profile for the position so Isaacson, Miller can attract the best possible candidates.

Throughout the fall, Isaacson, Miller will work on the next step in the process which is to recruit a qualified candidate pool to present to the search committee. Please continue to share recommendations and nominations here.

I will continue to update the community on our progress and you can also find updates at saintpeters.edu/presidential-search. Please feel free to send comments, questions or feedback to presidentialsearch@saintpeters.edu.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Moore, CFA ’91

Chair, Board of Trustees

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

To the Saint Peter’s University Community,

I hope everyone has had an excellent start to the academic year and is enjoying the blast of summer weather we’ve had over the past week.

As I shared in my previous email to the community on August 23, the Board of Trustees approved forming the Presidential Search Committee and I’m happy to report that we’ve finalized the membership of the committee.

The committee members are:


While we await the results of the FSC to add the last two members of the committee, I’ve been energized by the enthusiasm of the committee members. While we all recognize it’s a monumental task to find Dr. Cornacchia’s successor, the team brings the diverse backgrounds and experience needed to rise to the challenge of finding our next leader.

The committee will be having its first meeting at the end of September with Phillip Petree, the partner from our firm – Isaacson, Miller – that will be leading the search for us.

I’m also excited about the “Listening Sessions” that are being scheduled that will enable you to share your perspectives on the key criteria of the president’s role to help guide the committee in identifying the most qualified and talented person to lead our University. We will be sharing the schedule for these sessions soon.

I remain committed to sharing our progress throughout our search. A Presidential Search web page is under development and will be launched soon. In the meantime, we’ve established an email address to field any questions, comments or concerns you may have during the process. Please do not hesitate to contact us at presidentialsearch@saintpeters.edu.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Moore, CFA ’91 Chair, Board of Trustees

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Good morning,

Earlier today, President Cornacchia announced that he will retire at the end of this upcoming academic year when his contract ends on June 30, 2024. His collaborative leadership and vision for Saint Peter’s has brought this University to new heights – from attaining University status, building the Mac Mahon Student Center and initiating the institution’s first doctoral programs to establishing three of the four schools at the University, including the Frank J. Guarini School of Business, a School of Nursing and the Caulfield School of Education. With more than 13,000 students earning degrees during his tenure and more than $140 million raised via private philanthropy, his legacy and impact will be felt for years to come. The Board of Trustees is deeply grateful for President Cornacchia’s innovation, dedication and service to Saint Peter’s students and community.

While we are fortunate to have his leadership for another academic year, the Board of Trustees has begun the process to select the 23rd president of Saint Peter’s University.   We have retained Isaacson, Miller – one of the nation’s most successful education recruitment firms – to coordinate the search with us.

The Board has also approved forming the Presidential Search Committee, which will seek input from our diverse University community through multiple listening sessions that will be led by Isaacson, Miller. These sessions will give you the opportunity to share your perspectives on the key criteria of the president’s role to help guide the committee in identifying the most qualified and talented person to lead our University. The Presidential Search Committee will include representatives from multiple areas of the University community and the executive committee of the board is currently working with Isaacson, Miller to construct our Search Committee. The Search Committee will advise the Board, who then ultimately makes the final decision on our next president.

Please know that I value transparency and will be sure to keep you apprised of our efforts. One of the methods we will use to communicate will be through establishing a page on the University’s website to post updates and all search-related information.  However, please understand that Isaacson, Miller has advised us that we must always respect the importance of privacy and confidentiality when it comes to the candidates to ensure we get the best candidate pool possible.

Once again, on behalf of the board, I want to congratulate and thank President Cornacchia for his dedicated service, deep commitment and tremendous accomplishments for Saint Peter’s. We will be forever grateful for the generous spirit, visionary leadership and Jesuit values you embodied as our president. Thank you, Gene.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Moore, CFA ’91 Chair of the Saint Peter’s University Board of Trustees