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From the President's Desk 

From the President's Desk 

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Forging Forward Together

Forging Forward Together

February 24, 2026

February 24, 2026

Dear Gonzaga Community,

 

I was so happy to welcome our students back to campus last week after what was hopefully a restorative and joy-filled holiday break.

 

I enjoyed time with my family and a little bit of travel while also working and planning for the new year and an exciting spring semester. I know many of our students also took some time during break for work, and it was incredible to see Gonzaga alumni working at Microsoft welcome current Zags as part of a Seattle Trek experience earlier this month, offering valuable mentorship and connection.

 

That global Zag Network, that spirit of “Zags helping Zags,” is vital to the success of our students and our University. As we head towards warmer weather and lean into the opportunities ahead, I look forward to finding new ways for Gonzaga to collaborate both on campus and off campus to make our students’ experiences the best they can be.

 

Dear Gonzaga Community,

 

I was so happy to welcome our students back to campus last week after what was hopefully a restorative and joy-filled holiday break.

 

I enjoyed time with my family and a little bit of travel while also working and planning for the new year and an exciting spring semester. I know many of our students also took some time during break for work, and it was incredible to see Gonzaga alumni working at Microsoft welcome current Zags as part of a Seattle Trek experience earlier this month, offering valuable mentorship and connection.

 

That global Zag Network, that spirit of “Zags helping Zags,” is vital to the success of our students and our University. As we head towards warmer weather and lean into the opportunities ahead, I look forward to finding new ways for Gonzaga to collaborate both on campus and off campus to make our students’ experiences the best they can be.

 

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Current Zags joined alumni working at Microsoft this month for networking, mentoring and sharing the Zag spirit.

Current Zags joined alumni working at Microsoft this month for networking, mentoring and sharing the Zag spirit.

Building The Future

Building The Future

Just before Christmas, Gonzaga hosted a gathering led by the Washington State Department of Commerce, welcoming dozens of industry, government and education leaders to campus. It was an excellent chance to meet representatives from industries so important to our region – including engineering, aerospace and manufacturing – who provide our students and graduates so many options for their educations and careers. I was proud to talk about Gonzaga’s passion for innovation, and in creating future leaders who will change the world. I also shared information on our new additions to campus, such as the Center for Materials Research and the Institute for Informatics and Applied Technology, that will help forge strong partnerships with the organizations represented in the room.

 

Just before Christmas, Gonzaga hosted a gathering led by the Washington State Department of Commerce, welcoming dozens of industry, government and education leaders to campus. It was an excellent chance to meet representatives from industries so important to our region – including engineering, aerospace and manufacturing – who provide our students and graduates so many options for their educations and careers. I was proud to talk about Gonzaga’s passion for innovation, and in creating future leaders who will change the world. I also shared information on our new additions to campus, such as the Center for Materials Research and the Institute for Informatics and Applied Technology, that will help forge strong partnerships with the organizations represented in the room.

 

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Welcoming the Washington State Department of Commerce and guests to campus.

Welcoming the Washington State Department of Commerce and guests to campus.

Supporting Our Fellow Zags

Supporting Our Fellow Zags

You’ll be seeing increasing opportunities to support reinstating Washington State Grant funding that was cut during last year’s Washington state legislative session. Those cuts deeply affect students at independent, non-profit colleges and universities in Washington, and we’re working with our peers at the Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW) to reverse course. I had the opportunity to testify briefly last week in support of Senate Bill 5828 reinstating the funding, and will visit the state capitol with student and ICW Fellow Jack Kashork (’26, political science) to discuss the issue further with state leaders. You can learn more about the best ways to support current and future Zags at SaveStudentAid.org.

 

You’ll be seeing increasing opportunities to support reinstating Washington State Grant funding that was cut during last year’s Washington state legislative session. Those cuts deeply affect students at independent, non-profit colleges and universities in Washington, and we’re working with our peers at the Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW) to reverse course. I had the opportunity to testify briefly last week in support of Senate Bill 5828 reinstating the funding, and will visit the state capitol with student and ICW Fellow Jack Kashork (’26, political science) to discuss the issue further with state leaders. You can learn more about the best ways to support current and future Zags at SaveStudentAid.org.

 

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With ICW President Terri Standish-Kuon and Seatttle U. President Eduardo Peñalver.

With ICW President Terri Standish-Kuon and Seatttle U. President Eduardo Peñalver.

Forging Forward

Forging Forward

I am traveling to Washington D.C. to connect with the Zags Network January 31, 7-9 p.m. Eastern time, in our nation’s capital, and I hope any Gonzaga students, alumni and friends in the area will join us. That is, of course, when Zags across the country gather for community service projects and game watches, and I’m thankful our event in D.C. will finish in time for our Zags alumni to gather for Gonzaga Day and cheer on the men’s and women’s basketball teams in their games that evening (Gonzaga men play Saint Mary’s in McCarthey Athletic Center, televised on ESPN at 7:30 Pacific time, while the Gonzaga women play Washington State in Pullman at 7 p.m. Pacific, televised on SWX and ESPN+).

 

January 31 also marks the end of Catholic Schools Week, and I will be joining our peers from the Association of Jesuit Colleges and University for our annual Board meeting and the launch of the AJCU’s new “We Are #JesuitEducated” campaign – watch the campaign video and spot our Zags representing our University so well.

 

I will also attend the annual meeting of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) with Interim Provost Mia Bertagnolli. We will connect with fellow Catholic Higher Education leaders to reflect and plan how to best promote the value and mission of higher education in turbulent times. After this meeting, presidents from across the country will join the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) for a conference that includes meetings with our Washington State representatives on Capitol Hill. We will be addressing the most urgent policy issues facing independent, nonprofit schools like Gonzaga.

 

Both the ACCU and NAICU gatherings arrive at a vital moment for higher education, as colleges and universities are facing incredible challenges to their ability to serve students. I am proud to represent Gonzaga as we collaborate with our peer institutions to make sure the value of higher education to our country and communities is understood. By truly leading with hope and working with institutions in pursuit of our shared missions, I know a bright future is possible tomorrow even as we navigate trying times today. I see that spirit of working together every day on our campus. Sharing that Gonzaga spirit in Washington state and Washington, D.C., is a responsibility and an honor.

 

Good luck as you settle in for the spring semester. I look forward to sharing the journey ahead with all of you!

I am traveling to Washington D.C. to connect with the Zags Network January 31, 7-9 p.m. Eastern time, in our nation’s capital, and I hope any Gonzaga students, alumni and friends in the area will join us. That is, of course, when Zags across the country gather for community service projects and game watches, and I’m thankful our event in D.C. will finish in time for our Zags alumni to gather for Gonzaga Day and cheer on the men’s and women’s basketball teams in their games that evening (Gonzaga men play Saint Mary’s in McCarthey Athletic Center, televised on ESPN at 7:30 Pacific time, while the Gonzaga women play Washington State in Pullman at 7 p.m. Pacific, televised on SWX and ESPN+).

 

January 31 also marks the end of Catholic Schools Week, and I will be joining our peers from the Association of Jesuit Colleges and University for our annual Board meeting and the launch of the AJCU’s new “We Are #JesuitEducated” campaign – watch the campaign video and spot our Zags representing our University so well.

 

I will also attend the annual meeting of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) with Interim Provost Mia Bertagnolli. We will connect with fellow Catholic Higher Education leaders to reflect and plan how to best promote the value and mission of higher education in turbulent times. After this meeting, presidents from across the country will join the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) for a conference that includes meetings with our Washington State representatives on Capitol Hill. We will be addressing the most urgent policy issues facing independent, nonprofit schools like Gonzaga.

 

Both the ACCU and NAICU gatherings arrive at a vital moment for higher education, as colleges and universities are facing incredible challenges to their ability to serve students. I am proud to represent Gonzaga as we collaborate with our peer institutions to make sure the value of higher education to our country and communities is understood. By truly leading with hope and working with institutions in pursuit of our shared missions, I know a bright future is possible tomorrow even as we navigate trying times today. I see that spirit of working together every day on our campus. Sharing that Gonzaga spirit in Washington state and Washington, D.C., is a responsibility and an honor.

 

Good luck as you settle in for the spring semester. I look forward to sharing the journey ahead with all of you!

In gratitude,

In gratitude,

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Katia Passerini, Ph.D.
President, Gonzaga University

Katia Passerini, Ph.D.
President, Gonzaga University

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Highlights

Highlights

I want to highlight some of the excellent work being done by the Gonzaga community that exemplifies our work and our Mission:

I want to highlight some of the excellent work being done by the Gonzaga community that exemplifies our work and our Mission:

A circle logo saying Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System Gold

Seeing STARS

Seeing STARS

Gonzaga received a second consecutive STARS (Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) Gold Rating recognition from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. It’s a testament to the campus-wide work done to promote sustainability and support our Mission to care for the planet.

Read more »

Gonzaga received a second consecutive STARS (Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) Gold Rating recognition from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. It’s a testament to the campus-wide work done to promote sustainability and support our Mission to care for the planet.

Read more »

 
A man and a robot facing each other

AI in the Core

AI in the Core

The foundation of Gonzaga’s Core Curriculum is a commitment to inquiry and discernment, and this story featuring faculty reflecting on how AI impacts their Core classes illustrates how important our humanity is in using this technology ethically.

 

Read more »

The foundation of Gonzaga’s Core Curriculum is a commitment to inquiry and discernment, and this story featuring faculty reflecting on how AI impacts their Core classes illustrates how important our humanity is in using this technology ethically.

 

Read more »

 
A woman stands in front of a class

A Shared Mission

A Shared Mission

Gonzaga is working with the Diocese of Spokane and the Nazareth Guild to equip K-12 teachers in eastern Washington’s Catholic schools with tools and strategies to better serve special needs students.

 

Read more »

Gonzaga is working with the Diocese of Spokane and the Nazareth Guild to equip K-12 teachers in eastern Washington’s Catholic schools with tools and strategies to better serve special needs students.

 

Read more »

 
A man in a baseball cap in a dirt hole

Learning Through Experience

Learning Through Experience

History professor Andrew Goldman is teaching and researching in and around Rome at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies, and I’m excited to see what new perspective on the ancient world he brings back to Gonzaga’s students.

 

Read more »

History professor Andrew Goldman is teaching and researching in and around Rome at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies, and I’m excited to see what new perspective on the ancient world he brings back to Gonzaga’s students.

 

Read more »

 
 

Keep up with President Passerini on her social media accounts.

Keep up with President Passerini on her social media accounts.

 
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This email was sent to velonza@gonzaga.edu from

 

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502 East Boone Avenue • Spokane, WA 99258 • (800) 986-9585

 

Website •  Privacy Policy  • Forward to a Friend  •  Unsubscribe