Washington, D.C., October 23, 2025
News Summary
Eduardo M. Peñalver has been unanimously selected as the 49th president of Georgetown University, with his term starting on July 1, 2026. Currently the president of Seattle University, Peñalver brings extensive legal expertise from his role as dean at Cornell Law School. He is notable for being the first Latino president at Georgetown and aims to enhance student experiences while addressing political polarization on campus and focusing on artificial intelligence studies.
Washington, D.C. – Eduardo M. Peñalver has been unanimously voted as the 49th president of Georgetown University, with his tenure set to begin on July 1, 2026. Peñalver is currently the president of Seattle University, a Jesuit institution, where he has served since July 2021.
Before leading Seattle University, Peñalver served as the dean of Cornell Law School from 2014 to 2021. He is noted for being the first non-interim president of Georgetown to openly claim Latino heritage and the second layperson to hold this prestigious position.
Peñalver’s background includes clerking for former U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, which underscores his extensive legal expertise. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a law degree from Yale Law School. Throughout his tenure at Seattle University, he focused on enhancing students’ experiences both academically and personally.
During his time at Cornell Law School, Peñalver worked to double financial aid spending to improve student access, which resulted in over 40% of graduates leaving debt-free. The chair of Georgetown’s Board of Directors, Thomas A. Reynolds, praised Peñalver’s exceptional leadership, emphasizing its alignment with the university’s Jesuit values.
Peñalver expressed a strong commitment to transparency, open communication, and engagement within the university community. He plans to address the contentious issue of political polarization on campus, further enhance Georgetown’s focus on artificial intelligence studies, and advance the expansion of the Capitol Campus.
Peñalver comes from a diverse family background, with a father who immigrated from Cuba and a mother of Swiss descent. He is a known advocate for diversity and inclusivity in education and has criticized federal funding cuts to universities, asserting the necessity of adequate resources for higher education.
Beyond his academic and administrative roles, Peñalver has a multifaceted professional background encompassing law, academia, and advocacy. He is also a licensed pilot, enjoying flying, and has notably flown his dog, Griffey, from New York to Washington State.
Peñalver will succeed Interim President Robert M. Groves, who has been serving since the previous president, John J. DeGioia, stepped down after 23 years due to health issues. Peñalver envisions a “progressive, Jesuit, and Catholic” educational environment at Georgetown, emphasizing his dedication to enriching the educational spirit of the university.
FAQ
Who has been named the 49th president of Georgetown University?
Eduardo M. Peñalver has been unanimously voted as the 49th president of Georgetown University.
When does Eduardo M. Peñalver start his role at Georgetown University?
His tenure will begin on July 1, 2026.
What position does Eduardo M. Peñalver currently hold?
He is currently the president of Seattle University, a Jesuit institution, since July 2021.
What previous roles has Eduardo M. Peñalver held?
He previously served as the dean of Cornell Law School from 2014 to 2021.
What are some of Eduardo M. Peñalver’s educational qualifications?
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a law degree from Yale Law School.
What initiatives does Eduardo M. Peñalver plan to focus on at Georgetown University?
He plans to tackle political polarization on campus, enhance Georgetown’s focus on artificial intelligence studies, and further the expansion of the Capitol Campus.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | 49th President of Georgetown University |
| Start Date | July 1, 2026 |
| Current Role | President of Seattle University since July 2021 |
| Previous Role | Dean of Cornell Law School (2014-2021) |
| Educational Background | Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, law degree from Yale Law School |
| Vision for Georgetown | Progressive, Jesuit, and Catholic educational environment |
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Additional Resources
- Washingtonian
- Wikipedia: Georgetown University
- OSV News
- Google Search: Eduardo M. Peñalver
- Georgetown Voice
- Google Scholar: Eduardo M. Peñalver
- Washington Post
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Georgetown University
- WTOP
- Google News: Eduardo M. Peñalver
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