Regis University Inaugurates Salvador D. Aceves as President

The 146-year-old private institution inaugurated its first lay and Latino president

Regis University inaugurated Salvador D. Aceves, Ed.D., as President on Friday, Sept. 22 at the St. John Francis Regis Chapel on the Northwest Denver Campus. The only private Jesuit Catholic university in Colorado, Regis had been led by Jesuit clergy since its founding in 1877. Aceves becomes the first lay and Latino President in the University’s 146-year-old history.

Dignitaries including U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, Lt. Gov. of Colorado Dianne Primavera and Rev. Thomas P. Greene, S.J. of the Society of Jesus Central and Southern Province were joined by faculty, staff, students and the community.  

In his inaugural address, Aceves emphasized that the formation of students — and what they learn while at school at the University — will ultimately help transform the world around them.

“Regis is committed to sustaining and growing the diverse, equitable and inclusive community of care. And Regis is committed to the laboring for a transformed world and renewed ecosystems,” Aceves said. “With respect to a transformative and excellent education reaches educate students will have cultivated habits of paying attention to the world around them, of reasoning in clear and critical ways of reading widely and deeply of communicating effectively, of listening generously to others of exploring their own depths reflectively and openly of helping others especially those most in need, of caring for the health of our planet, and of always practicing gratitude.”

Primavera, an alumna of Regis University spoke about how the university’s mission impacted her own career, as well as the future ahead for the institution.

“Today, we celebrate Salvador D. Aceves as he takes on his new role serving students, faculty and staff at Regis University, but also investing in the greater Denver community. I look forward to partnering with you and continuing to work together to strengthen our communities and our state,” Primavera said.

Salazar noted the importance of Jesuit mission for the university.

“We’re not on this journey by ourselves, but on this journey together — so service to others at the core of it all, and it comes from the legacy of Ignatius. So today, Salvador Aceves, you are in a wonderful and most fortunate position. The world needs you, the United States of America needs you, Colorado needs you. My warmest congratulations to you and the Regis community,” Salazar said. 

Aceves, who served as the University’s Chief Financial Officer before being chosen as the next President, has been with Regis for nearly a decade. Aceves’ selection followed an eight-month national search conducted by a 16-member search committee comprising trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and students.  

Chair of the Regis Board of Trustees Derek Scarth spoke about his faith in Aceves. He recognized his strength leading the University in this new chapter.

“As board chair, my leadership and faith in our new president is rooted in Dr. Aceves, in his proven aptitude and academic affairs, his extensive operational expertise and above all, his own deep faith and love for the mission of Regis University. Since his appointment as president, he's reinvigorated this place with his attitude and grace,” Scarth said.

Prior to joining Regis, Aceves worked extensively at other Jesuit universities, both as an administrator and faculty member. He served as associate vice president for academic, financial planning and analysis at Fordham University, where he also held an appointment as associate professor of accounting in the Gabelli School of Business.

Previously, he served as vice provost and chief planning and budget officer for the University of San Francisco, where he also held a faculty position as associate professor of accounting, teaching in both the School of Business and Management and the School of Law. He also received five teaching awards there. Dr. Aceves graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a doctoral degree in education with a focus on global business. He also holds a Master of Science in taxation from Golden Gate University. Earlier in his career, he worked at both Price Waterhouse and Citibank.

Since Aceves took office in January, Regis has been designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a federal designation given to institutions serving a largely Hispanic student body.