Shawna Cooper Whitehead has been named the 29th president of Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Upon assuming her post on July 1, she will be the university’s first woman president.
According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education, Regis University enrolls nearly 2,700 undergraduates and roughly 1,900 graduate students. Women represent over two-thirds of the undergraduate student population.
Dr. Cooper Whitehead brings extensive experience in student affairs and academic leadership to her new role. She comes to Regis from Boston College, where she has served as vice president of student affairs since 2021. Earlier, she was assistant provost at Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Cooper Whitehead’s other experience in academia includes service as dean of students for the School of Social Administration at the University of Chicago, director of African American student affairs at Northwestern University, assistant director of the Student Activities Office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and assistant dean of the School of Communication at Loyola University Chicago.
“I just can’t wait to be a part of this community,” said Dr. Cooper Whitehead. “It is a blessing to have the opportunity to serve the mission and the incredible people that make up Regis University. My experience in Jesuit higher education has brought out the best in me professionally and personally, and I hope to give that same gift to all our students, faculty, staff, and everyone in the Regis community. I’m ready to get started.”
A graduate of the University of Illinois, Dr. Cooper Whitehead holds a master of education degree from National Louis University in Chicago and an educational doctorate from Boston University.