July 15, 2025
Dear Gonzaga Community,
I write to you today with joy, gratitude and excitement as I assume the role of president of this remarkable institution – a community that so clearly lives out its mission to teach, inspire and serve with the love and care of its Jesuit tradition.
In every conversation I’ve had, and in everything I’ve learned about Gonzaga, I have felt a shared sense of pride in being a Zag. It’s a devotion to not just learning, but to learning with purpose. This is a place where academic excellence and personal formation go hand in hand, where community members genuinely care for one another and the world we’re called to serve. It is an extraordinary privilege to join this family.
Over the coming weeks and months, I look forward to getting to know you and seeing Gonzaga through your eyes. I want to hear your dreams for this institution, and how we can further the impact of Gonzaga’s work in Spokane and beyond. My office has scheduled a number of events and activities that will allow me to meet many of you in person soon, and there are more to come. Together, we will continue to strengthen our scholarship, expand service and global engagement, and foster spiritual and intellectual growth for every member of our community.
Today, more than ever, we live in a world that cries out for a deeper sense of connection, hope, and servant leadership. This is why our work together is so important, so essential to the health and wellbeing of our society. Education has the power to transform the lives of multiple generations, to enable individuals to make choices to drive their own destiny rather than being driven by others or external circumstances. At a time when higher education is facing many challenges, the Jesuit tradition teaches us to engage with courage, compassion, and critical reflection – to be men and women for and with others. I am committed to walking this path with you, as we shape a University that both inspires and serves, rooted in faith and integrity.
Thank you for welcoming me and my family into your community. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me, and I am eager to begin this journey of shared purpose, learning, and transformation.
With hope and gratitude,
Dr. Katia Passerini
President