Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D.
President, University of Detroit Mercy

Antoine M. Garibaldi is President of University of Detroit Mercy, a Catholic, Master’s Comprehensive University of more than 5,600 students with seven schools and colleges, including professional programs in Architecture, Dentistry and Law. He began his appointment in June 2011 and he is the first lay president of the university, which is sponsored by the Jesuits and Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. In U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2012, University of Detroit Mercy is ranked 23 out of 146 institutions in the Midwest region.

Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D.

Antoine M. Garibaldi is President of University of Detroit Mercy, a Catholic, Master’s Comprehensive University of more than 5,600 students with seven schools and colleges, including professional programs in Architecture, Dentistry and Law. He began his appointment in June 2011 and he is the first lay president of the university, which is sponsored by the Jesuits and Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. In U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2012, University of Detroit Mercy is ranked 23 out of 146 institutions in the Midwest region.

Prior to his appointment at University of Detroit Mercy, he was the sixth President of Gannon University. During his nine and a half years as president of Gannon from July 2001 to December 2010, Gannon achieved significant gains in enrollment, fundraising, facilities, regional and national academic reputation, and more.

Nationally recognized for his more than 35 years of teaching, scholarly work and administrative experience in education as well as the federal government, Dr. Garibaldi also holds the rank of tenured Professor of Education.  He is a Fellow of both the American Psychological Association and the American Educational Research Association and the author of eleven books and 85 research articles and chapters.

Prior to his appointment as President of Gannon University, Dr. Garibaldi was a Senior Fellow in the Office of the Vice President for Collaborations and Corporate Secretary at the Educational Testing Service in 2000-01; he served as the first Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Howard University and a tenured Professor in the School of Education between 1996 and 2000; and, between 1982 and 1996, he served successively as Chairman of the Education Department, Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Xavier University of Louisiana. Between 1977 and 1982, he was a federal government administrator and researcher at the U.S. Department of Education’s National Institute of Education, where he was also a staff member of the National Commission on Excellence in Education, which produced the landmark report, A Nation at Risk.

A native of New Orleans, he received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Howard University in 1973 and his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota in 1976. 


AJCU Board of Directors

David W. Burcham
Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D.
Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.
John J. DeGioia, Ph.D.
John J. Hurley, JD
Rev. Brian F. Linnane, S.J.
Rev. C. Kevin Gillespie, S.J.
Rev. James Fleming, SJ
Rev. Jeffrey von Arx, S.J.
Rev. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J.
Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J.
Rev. Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.
Rev. Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., Ph.D.
Rev. Lawrence Biondi, S.J.
Rev. Michael E. Engh, S.J.
Rev. Michael J. Garanzini, S.J.
Rev. Michael J. Graham, S.J.
Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J.
Rev. Richard P. Salmi, S.J.
Rev. Robert L. Niehoff, S.J.
Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J.
Rev. Stephen A. Privett, S.J.
Rev. Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J.
Rev. Thomas B. Curran
Rev. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J.
Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J.
Thayne M. McCulloh, Ph.D.

Quote of the week

"...This crest [IHS] continually reminds us of a reality that we must never forget: the centrality of Christ for each one of us and for the whole Society, the Society that Saint Ignatius wanted to name "of Jesus" to indicate the point of reference."
Pope Francis: July 31, 2013


Meet the AJCU President
On April 1, 2013, Rev. Michael J. Sheeran became president of the Association of Jesu...
Read more

Federal Relations


AJCU Federal Relations Network is the lobbying arm of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and comprised of at least one representative from each one of the twenty-eight Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The Network is kept up to date on an on-going basis by the Vice President for Federal Relations on all issues relating to Appropriations, budget, higher education authorization issues and taxes. The Network meets annually in September for a Legislative Conference and also participates in the Annual Committee for Education Funding Legislative Conference and Awards Dinner.
Learn More

AJCU Conferences


The 35+ Conferences sponsored by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) are affinity groups within the AJCU Network. The Conferences provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and best practices; support the professional development of their members; and present opportunities for AJCU representatives to discuss opportunities and challenges in Jesuit higher education. Most of the AJCU Conference groups meet in person at least once a year, and many of them communicate regularly through an AJCU listserv.
Learn More

International Outreach


The member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) are committed to developing programs and partnerships that advance international education and support initiatives that advance global citizenship.
Learn More