Dr. Shawna Cooper Whitehead has been named president of Regis University, a 149-year-old Jesuit institution in Denver. The Black Catholic administrator is the first woman and first Black person to lead the school, which announced the news on March 9.
“Cooper Whitehead brings an exceptional record of student-centered leadership and a deep commitment to educational equity that aligns beautifully with our Jesuit mission,” said Derek Scarth, chair of Regis’ board of trustees.
“The board is proud to welcome the first female president in Regis University’s history and is confident that under her leadership, Regis will continue to grow as a beacon of Jesuit Catholic higher education in the Rocky Mountain West and beyond.”
Vice President for Student Affairs Shawna Cooper Whitehead has been named president of Regis University in Denver, effective July 1. She will continue in her role on the Heights until the end of the semester. https://on.bc.edu/SCW_RegisU
— Boston College (@bostoncollege.bsky.social) 2026-03-09T16:24:06.282239611Z
A native of Illinois, Cooper Whitehead has served since 2021 as vice president for student affairs at Boston College, another Jesuit institution, and has been touted as a voice for student-centered leadership and inclusivity. She is succeeding at Regis Dr. Salvador D. Aceves, who was elected president of the University of San Francisco last May. Jesuit priest D. Scott Hendrickson has served as interim president at Regis since July.
Cooper Whitehead graduated from her hometown school, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, receiving a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and earned a master of education from National Louis University in 2001. She received a doctor of education from Boston University in 2011, and has served in administrative roles at Loyola University of Chicago, the University of Chicago, Seton Hall University, BC, Northwestern University, and MIT.
In her most recent role, Cooper Whitehead was a successful fundraiser, raising more than $20 million for student affairs as part of a capital campaign, and inaugurated the Cura Series, which explored themes of race and belonging. In recognition of her work, she received the Sankofa Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators in 2021, honoring outstanding African Americans serving in student affairs senior leadership.
Following her election as president at Regis, Cooper Whitehead noted that she is “deeply grateful” for the opportunity to serve the school as its new leader.
“Throughout my career, I have believed that higher education is one of the most powerful forces for expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and shaping thoughtful leaders,” she wrote on social media.
“Regis University’s Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person and pursuing justice resonates deeply with me, and I am honored by the trust placed in me to help steward this mission forward.”
Shawna Cooper Whitehead, EdD
As one of relatively few African Americans leading Catholic institutions of higher education, Cooper Whitehead will join 15 others: Vincent Rougeau; Drs. Xavier Cole, Robert Kelly, Steve K. Stoute, Kathy Wilson Humphrey, H. James Williams, Gary B. Crosby, Winston Erevelles, Harry Dumay, Keith Elder, Kimo Ah Yun, Adreain Henry, Marcheta Evans, Charlene Aaron, and Reynold Verret.
Among them, Jesuit universities are the best represented, with four total presidents ahead of Cooper Whitehead’s investiture. She will continue to serve at BC through the end of the spring 2026 semester., and will begin service at Regis on Wednesday, July 1.
"I just can’t wait to be a part of this community,” she said in an official statement released by the school, which serves just under 6,000 students.
“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.”
Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.
