Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer

Posted: July 8, 2022


Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to share that Jerron Lowe has been named Seattle University’s Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer. Currently he serves as Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Strategic Initiatives and Workforce Planning at the University of Denver and served as Interim Vice Chancellor of Human Resources from April 2020 to April 2022. Jerron will join Seattle University on Aug. 15. 

He brings to SU a wealth of experience in both higher education and the private sector. In 2018 Jerron joined the University of Denver and in his current role has taken the lead in strengthening the university’s HR programs and aligning them with the institution’s mission, goals and strategic priorities. Among other contributions, he has led an initiative to expand access to a higher quality of health care for employees, while implementing a diversity, equity and inclusion training program. Jerron has also been instrumental in helping the university navigate the challenges of the COVID pandemic. 

Prior to his time at the University of Denver, Jerron worked at Kaiser Permanente, where he took on increasing responsibilities in human resources over 12 years. He received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Communication from Trinity University in San Antonio and a JD from the University of Denver. 

As we seek to implement our Reignited Strategic Directions, with their mandate to create an inclusive culture, to reinforce our Jesuit character and to foster professional formation for faculty and staff, a strong Human Resources leader is essential to Seattle University’s future success. Jerron’s personal warmth and collaborative instincts, combined with his deep experience in higher education, make him a perfect fit to lead that effort.  

Jerron asked that I share the following message with you: 

I am absolutely honored to join the SU community as the Vice President for Human Resources. This is an exciting time to serve Seattle University students, staff, faculty, administrators and Board as we aim to be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world. I look forward to contributing toward the strategy and achieving the overall vision, while making SU a best place to work. 

I want to thank the members of the search committee, listed below, for successfully leading a thoughtful and thorough process. I am also grateful to Matt Philip for serving as Interim Vice President for Human Resources this past year and advancing our efforts to enhance the employee experience at SU. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Jerron. 

Respectfully, 

Eduardo M. Peñalver
President

Search Committee—Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer

Robert Dullea, Deputy Provost, Office of the Provost (Chair)

Yancy Dominick, Senior Instructor, College of Arts & Sciences–Philosophy, Faculty Associate in the Center for Jesuit Education

Colette Hoption, Associate Professor, Albers School of Business & Economics– Management

Mary Petersen, Vice President and University Counsel

Maggie Ricketts, Director, Human Resources

Kimberley Thompson, Senior Director, Disability Services

Dion Wade, Director of Campus Services, Office of the Executive Vice President

Sarah Watstein, Dean, Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons

Rachel Whalen, Executive Coordinator, Office of the Provost, Admin Support