Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is embarking on a national search for its 14th president, following President Kenneth G. Gormley’s announcement that he will step down on July 1, 2026, after a decade of transformative leadership, to assume the role of Chancellor. As Duquesne University prepares for the next chapter in its storied history, the institution seeks a forward-looking and mission-driven leader to serve as its new President. The ideal candidate will embody the Spiritan values of compassion, inclusivity, and service, while also possessing a deep understanding of the complexities of higher education and the ability to navigate the ever-changing landscape of academia. Duquesne's solid institutional foundation, coupled with its impressive momentum, constitutes an outstanding leadership opportunity.
Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA) was founded in 1878 by the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, known as the Spiritans, as a Catholic college for Pittsburgh's poor immigrants. As America's only Catholic and Spiritan University, Duquesne bears a singular responsibility to reflect the distinctive charism of its sponsoring congregation. The Catholic and Spiritan call emphasizes education as a path to empowerment, service to the poor and underserved, commitment to justice in all forms, and interreligious understanding that embraces individuals of all faiths and backgrounds.
Today, Duquesne is recognized on the national stage as a comprehensive research institution with excellent academics, offering a strong core of the sciences, healthcare, and liberal arts combined with a robust array of professional school offerings, including a law school and a new college of osteopathic medicine. With enrollment of more than 8,200 students (more than 5,200 undergraduate and nearly 3,000 graduate and professional students), Duquesne educates students through small classes, innovative instruction, and rigorous coursework. Across its ten schools and colleges, the University offers a comprehensive array of academic programs with more than 85 undergraduate majors and 110 graduate and certificate programs, taught and mentored by more than 800 talented and dedicated faculty members, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1. The University’s athletics program, known as the Duquesne Dukes, competes at the NCAA Division I level, primarily within the Atlantic 10 Conference.
The Duquesne community has benefitted from strong fiscal stewardship, with FY 2026 forecasted operating revenues at $357 million and its endowment, inclusive of other long-term investments, was valued at $743 million as of March 31, 2025. Duquesne University's IGNITE: Forging the Future campaign stands as the most ambitious and successful fundraising initiative in the institution's history. Launched in 2016 under President Ken Gormley's leadership, the campaign set a bold goal of raising $333 million, and by February 2025, it had surpassed this target, amassing over $335 million from more than 22,000 donors, including alumni, faculty, staff, corporations, and foundations.
Duquesne is poised for a significant leadership transition as President Ken Gormley, who became the 13th President in July 2016, announced his intention to step down as President on July 1, 2026, after a decade of transformative leadership. The University's Board of Directors has requested Gormley to continue his service as Chancellor, a role he has graciously accepted. As Chancellor, a role previously held by prominent past presidents at Duquesne, Gormley will ensure a seamless transition while continuing to contribute his talents to the University's positive momentum. The Chancellor of the University is an appointee of the University’s Board of Directors, with direct day-to-day reporting to the University President.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President of Duquesne University is an engaging and visionary leader who embodies the institution’s Spiritan mission and values. As the chief executive officer, the President is responsible for guiding the University's strategic direction, fostering a culture of academic excellence, and promoting a deep sense of community and purpose among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and beyond. The President is expected to navigate the complexities and challenges of higher education, including enrollment management, fundraising, and academic programming, while remaining true to the University's mission and values. The President serves as the public face of the University, providing leadership across campus and being an active and contributing leader within the community, across Pittsburgh, among other higher education institutions, and across the nation and the world.
Given the University's recent achievements, including the successful IGNITE capital campaign, the establishment of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, and record-breaking application numbers, the incoming President should have a proven track record in academic innovation, institutional advancement, external partnership building, and dedication to community engagement and collaboration. Additionally, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage effectively and transparently with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and external stakeholders will be crucial for sustaining and enhancing Duquesne’s mission-driven initiatives.
A terminal degree is preferred, along with a successful record of scholarly achievements. The successful candidate will be a seasoned leader with a proven track record of strategic visioning, exceptional fundraising, and collaborative leadership. Furthermore, the candidate of choice will possess a passion for creating transformative and relevant educational experiences that prepare Duquesne students to make a positive impact in the world. Above all, the next President of Duquesne will be a champion of the University’s Catholic and Spiritan mission, an ardent spokesperson for the enduring value of higher education, and the embodiment of the University’s purpose in serving its students and the community.
This is a full-time position that will be based on-site in Pennsylvania. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and includes a generous benefits package.
Nominations and applications should be submitted electronically as soon as possible. The Presidential Search Committee will begin reviewing applications across Summer 2025. Applications should include a curriculum vitae/resumé and a detailed letter of interest that responds to the presidential leadership agenda and the desired attributes for the new President expressed in this search prospectus. All materials will be considered in full confidence. DSG Storbeck has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Julie Tea, Managing Director, and Kate Phillips, Senior Associate.
To express interest in this role please submit materials directly to the talent profile: Duquesne President For nominations and inquiries, please contact: [email protected]. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation
of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne University is Catholic in its mission and ecumenical in spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.