AJCU Announces Rev. Michael J. Sheeran, SJ as President

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Rev. Michael J. Sheeran, SJ

WASHINGTON, DC - The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) announced today that Rev. Michael J. Sheeran, SJ will begin his tenure as president on April 1st. He succeeds Rev. Gregory F. Lucey, SJ, who has served as president since 2011.

During his tenure at AJCU, Fr. Lucey developed a strategic plan for the Association; continued AJCU’s visibility in Washington through federal relations initiatives; established the AJCU Mission Advisory Committee to support mission programs at member institutions; and convened the first meeting of AJCU Conference Chairs.

“It is a great privilege to lead the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. I’m grateful to Fr. Lucey for leaving me a small but mighty team who will help me to effectively represent the twenty-eight Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, especially to Congress and the Administration. Together, we will work to advance the mission of Jesuit higher education: to help students lead exemplary lives and grow in service, faith and justice,” said Fr. Sheeran.

Prior to his arrival in Washington, Fr. Sheeran was president of Regis University in Denver, CO for twenty years. He was previously Regis’ academic vice president and academic dean. Fr. Sheeran entered the Jesuit order in 1957 and was ordained a priest in 1970. He holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University and has taught at Regis, Saint Louis University and Regis Jesuit High School.

Under Fr. Sheeran’s leadership, Regis University’s student enrollment doubled. He led a successful fundraising campaign; oversaw the development of Regis’ online academic programs; established partnerships with international Jesuit institutions; and hosted Pope John Paul II and President Bill Clinton on campus in 1993.

Rev. Stephen V. Sundborg, SJ, AJCU Board of Directors Chair and Seattle University President, said, “On behalf of the AJCU Board of Directors, I welcome Fr. Sheeran as the new president of AJCU and thank him for his service. The presidents of the twenty-eight member institutions appreciate his assistance of our schools and we look forward to working with him. We also thank Fr. Lucey for his outstanding leadership over the past two years, and we wish him well in his return to Spring Hill College as its chancellor.”

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...
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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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