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

The Board of Trustees of Saint Peter’s University recently launched a national search for the 23rd president of Saint Peter’s University.

The search will be an inclusive process with community engagement. Please send comments, questions, or feedback to presidentialsearch@saintpeters.edu.

This website is the home for updates about the search process, key dates and information. Regular updates will inform the community about the progress throughout the year.

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

FAQs

Why is President Cornacchia leaving?

President Cornacchia will retire at the end of his current contract on June 30, 2024, after what will be 43 years of service to Saint Peter’s University.

He looks forward to starting a new chapter in his life, spending more time with his family and pursuing personal interests.

How long has President Cornacchia been president? How long has he been at Saint Peter’s?

President Cornacchia is the University’s first lay president and the longest-serving president in Saint Peter’s history. He began his term as the 22^nd president in 2007 and has had a distinguished tenure marked by transformative leadership, unwavering dedication and a fierce commitment to academic excellence and the Jesuit mission.

He came to Saint Peter’s in 1981 and after 20 years of teaching, President Cornacchia served as academic dean and subsequently as provost and vice president for academic affairs before being named president.

When is his last day?

His last day will be June 30, 2024, which is the end of his current contract.

Will he be involved/leading for the academic year 2023-2024?

Of course. President Cornacchia will lead Saint Peter’s University for the entire upcoming academic year 2023-2024. He looks forward to collaborating on our important work as he begins his 17th academic year as president.

When will the search for a new president begin?

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.

What is your timeline? When will a new president be announced?

Saint Peter’s University is committed to ensuring a smooth transition in leadership and the comprehensive search for the 23rd president is underway. 

Will there be a Presidential Search Committee? How will the Presidential Search Committee be selected?

Yes. The Presidential Search Committee includes representatives from multiple areas of the University community. The Presidential Search Committee will advise the Board, who then ultimately makes the final decision on our next president.

How can I provide input and/or feedback for consideration in the search?

The Presidential Search Committee welcomes feedback from the community. The Presidential Search Committee 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. Questions can also be directed to presidentialsearch@saintpeters.edu.

How will the community be informed about the progress of the search?

We will communicate through the University’s website and via email. 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.

Will there be a celebration for President Cornacchia?

There will be plenty of ways to celebrate President Cornacchia throughout the year. Event details will be communicated to the community.

Where can I learn more about this announcement?

 You can read the full press release at saintpeters.edu.

Presidential Search Committee

• Kenneth Moore, CFA ’91, Chair, Board of Trustees
• 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 ’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

For more information, please contact presidentialsearch@saintpeters.edu.

CHARGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO THE PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE

We as the search committee are to conduct a national search to seek a slate of exceptional candidates for the position of president of Saint Peter’s University

While the ultimate selection of our new president resides with the Board, we as the Search Committee are to fully evaluate the pool of candidates drawn from the search. We should assess each candidate’s qualifications and experience as well as strengths and weaknesses against the criteria for the position with the ultimate goal of identifying qualified finalists for consideration by the Board. As you know, the Board has retained Isaacson, Miller, an executive search firm, to assist the Search Committee in building the pool of candidates and to advise the Search Committee and the Board in conducting the search.

We are charged with pursuing a search timetable that ensures that Saint Peter’s is competitive in the market for the highest quality candidates.

I have confidence that we will undertake our responsibilities in a manner that will uphold Saint Peter’s mission and values and thereby attract candidates reflective of the same. We must conduct the search with the utmost integrity and professionalism, being vigilant and cognizant of the need for confidentiality in consideration of the interests of potential candidates as well as to ensure the integrity of the overall search process. Recognizing these principles, I, as Search Committee Chair, have asked Maureen Pergola ’94 to take responsibility for ongoing communication with the university community and other constituents concerning the progress of the search.

Finally, with this charge, on behalf of the university community, I would like to express my gratitude and deep appreciation to each of you for contributing your time and talents and for accepting a responsibility with extraordinary importance to the future of Saint Peter’s.

Listening Sessions with Isaacson, Miller