Rev. Robert L. Niehoff, S.J.
President, John Carroll University

Born August 14, 1953, in Puyallup, Washington – fives miles east of Tacoma — Robert L. Niehoff, the seventh of eight children, told his parents of his intent to become a priest when he was still in elementary school. He joined the Society of Jesus in 1972, earned his B.A. in philosophy in 1977 at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, two master’s degrees in theology from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley in 1984, an M.B.A. at the University of Washington in 1986, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Gonzaga University in 1995.

Rev. Robert L. Niehoff, S.J.

Born August 14, 1953, in Puyallup, Washington – fives miles east of Tacoma — Robert L. Niehoff, the seventh of eight children, told his parents of his intent to become a priest when he was still in elementary school. He joined the Society of Jesus in 1972, earned his B.A. in philosophy in 1977 at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, two master’s degrees in theology from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley in 1984, an M.B.A. at the University of Washington in 1986, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Gonzaga University in 1995.

Father Niehoff was Associate Provost and Vice President for Planning and Budget at the University of San Francisco when he was tapped in 2005 to join John Carroll.

He has always worked in higher education, non-profit organizations, or church and Jesuit community administration — often as a financial problem-solver. Early in his career, Father Niehoff tutored inmates at the Cook County Jail in Chicago. He later served his Jesuit tertianship year in the Philippines – after which he traveled in China, Thailand, and Nepal.

Since his ordination in 1982, he has served as Treasurer of the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley; Associate Treasurer of the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus; CFO of the Archdiocese of Nassau, in the Bahamas; Financial Analyst, Co-director for Mission and Identity, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Life at Gonzaga University, and Superior of a Jesuit community.

Father Niehoff is currently a member of the Finance and Administration Committee and the Committee on Law Center Affairs of the Georgetown University Board of Directors. He is a member of the Academic Affairs and Finance Committees of Saint Louis University’s Board of Trustees and is a member of the University Relations and Academic Affairs Committees of Regis University’s Board of Trustees. He also serves on the Catholic Community Connection Board of Directors, the Ohio Campus Compact Board of Directors, the Executive Committee of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, and is a member of the National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management. Father Niehoff is a graduate of the class of 2009, Leadership Cleveland.


AJCU Board of Directors

Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D.
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. 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


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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.
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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.
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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.
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