Gratitude and Hope for Our Future Together

Dear Seattle University Community,

On my first day as president of Seattle University, I want to thank you for the warm welcome you have extended to me and my husband, Jack. Meeting many of you at the annual Celebration of Staff event in June was one of the highlights of my summer. I came away inspired by the energy, warmth, and dedication to mission that were evident throughout the day. Since then, I have looked forward with great anticipation to officially joining this remarkable community and to spending time listening, learning, and getting to know more students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the university.

I know you join me in offering special thanks to Father Steve Sundborg for so graciously and effectively leading our university through a time of transition these past several months. As Father Steve returns to his role as chancellor, we all, myself included, will continue to benefit from his wisdom and commitment to communal discernment. The Ignatian tradition of discernment is one I deeply value, and I look forward to drawing upon it in my own leadership as we navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.

It is clear I have arrived at a university with extraordinary momentum. As we bring the goals of our Strategic Directions to life, prepare for the campuswide transition to semesters, continue integrating Cornish College of the Arts into our university, and build on the excitement of our recent move to the West Coast Conference, there is much to celebrate and much still to accomplish. I am eager to learn more about the excellent work taking place across Seattle University and to support these efforts now and in the years to come. I am grateful for the dedication, creativity, and hard work of so many across our community whose efforts have brought Seattle University to this moment and continue to move it forward.

As we know, these are challenging times for higher education. Yet they are also times that call for the distinctive contributions of Jesuit, Catholic universities. In a world that needs thoughtful dialogue, careful discernment, and an unwavering commitment to humanity and the dignity of every person, Seattle University has an important role to play in educating and forming principled leaders in service of the common good. I look forward to working together to strengthen and expand our impact in Seattle, the region, and beyond. I also look forward to deepening our engagement with the global Jesuit network.

It is an honor to join you at this important moment in Seattle University’s history and to serve as your president. Thank you for your commitment to our community, to our students and their success, and to the mission we share. I am grateful to begin this journey with you.

With gratitude and hope,

Maura B. Mast, PhD
President

Get to know Dr. Mast: watch the video.