Katia Passerini joined Gonzaga University in July 2025 as its 27th president, becoming the first woman and the second layperson to serve in that role in the university’s history. As president, Passerini leads the school’s administration, faculty, and about 7,000 students — comprised of undergraduate, graduate, and law students — while also holding a professorial appointment in Gonzaga's School of Business Administration.

Gonzaga University is a Jesuit, private liberal arts institution that serves as a pipeline for students pursuing careers in fields such as engineering, business, education, applied sciences, health care, law, leadership, and other disciplines.

Passerini is a native of Italy who steps into her role with both academic and professional experience as an educator, administrator, and researcher.

Education: Degrees in political science and economics from Luiss University and the University of Rome Tor Vergata; master's degree in international business and doctorate in information systems from George Washington University. 

Why did you choose your career path? I believe deeply in education as a force for transformation: of individuals, communities, and society. This path allows me to combine leadership, service, and lifelong learning, and it enables me to be completely immersed in a learning environment, which I have always loved. I call myself a “professional student.”

Do you have a favorite motto or quote? Everything gets accomplished with patience. It’s a reminder that sometimes we cannot achieve what we want quickly; we need to be able to understand when the right time is.

What would you tell others looking to follow a similar career path as yours? Stay open to nonlinear paths. Invest in relationships, seek mentors, and don’t rush for titles or compensation. Salary increases will come if you do a good job and focus on the growth of others, while you learn and increase your skills and capabilities.