Patricia Lobatos-Sanchez, Guest Writer from Writing for Media Practicum
Note: This article was written by a student of Dr. Emily Stones, in the class, Writing for Media Practicum. The Highlander is proud to serve as a platform for guest contributions and encourages collaboration between our community and our publication.
Regis University welcomed Dr. Shawna Cooper Whitehead as its 29th president on September 17 and 18, 2026, as the university begins a new chapter under its first female president. President Cooper Whitehead officially took office in the beginning of July and expresses excitement in continuing to lead the university forward.
Founded in 1877, Regis University has grown from its beginnings as a Catholic college into a Jesuit university with three colleges and more than 130 academic programs. The university’s mission is rooted in educating students to make leadership roles live purposeful lives and contribute to a changing society.
President Cooper Whitehead brings more than two decades of experience in higher education leadership to Regis. Before joining the university, she served as vice president for student affairs at Boston University, where she worked to support a student population of more than 15,000. She previously held leadership positions at Seton Hall University and Loyola University Chicago and worked at institutions including University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
As she begins her presidency, President Cooper Whitehead has emphasized the importance of listening to students, faculty, and staff while developing her vision for Regis' future. Her priorities include growing enrollment, strengthening the campus community, supporting students and employees, innovating academics, and expanding philanthropy (“love for humanity”).
During an in-person interview, President Cooper Whitehead described her leadership approach as collaborative and focused on the entire Regis community. “My leadership is a shared leadership, and I don’t want to do this alone. It's with our students, our faculty, and our staff.” Whitehead also stated, “with our shared knowledge, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish together.”
President Cooper Whitehead hopes students, faculty, and staff will work together to build on Regis' history while creating something that will have a lasting impact. “We are trusted with 150 years of history, and 150 years from now, I want them to look back and see what we've accomplished together,” Whitehead said. “That's in betterment for the whole world.”
President Cooper Whitehead wants her presidency to ultimately be remembered as an example of collaboration and moving forward together. Her presidency will continue as Regis celebrates its 150th anniversary and works to develop the university’s next chapter.
Photo captured by Patricia Lobatos-Sanchez at Regis’ Inauguration event