USF’s 29th President Arrives on Campus

Salvador D. Aceves ’83, EdD ’95 begins his tenure at USF this week. The university’s first lay president and first Latino president arrives from Regis University in Denver, where he served as president since 2023.

When Aceves’ appointment by the Board of Trustees was announced in May, USF received dozens of messages for the new president from alumni, staff, students, parents, and faculty. Here, a selection of the well wishes:

“Felicitaciones Presidente Aceves. As a double Don also, I would like to welcome you back to USF and congratulate you on being our next president. Like you I love this university and have remained an active volunteer throughout the years. Currently, I serve on the PRIDE Alumni Board and the Asian Pacific American Network Board, as well as serve on other nonprofit and governmental boards. I look forward to meeting you in the future and seeing how you bring our university forward!” Lynna Do, BA '97, MPA '03

“Dear Salvador, What a wonderful surprise when I opened the announcement of USF's new president and saw your picture! So many memories from leadership team came to me immediately, but one thing was certain in my mind: we could not be in better hands. I know the road ahead is a difficult one, but to me, you bring hope. Count on all of us to work together toward a better future. With my most heartfelt congratulations and best wishes.” Marcelo Camperi, professor of physics and astronomy and former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

“I was SO excited to hear this news! Welcome back to USF, Salvador!” Calypso Tapia, Office of Institutional Research and Analytics

“Congratulations!! Yay!! A Latino president!” Adela Baumann, parent of a current student

“Welcome home to San Francisco and USF. I look forward to meeting you and getting to know your family life experiences growing up in the city.” Hector Esparza, Fromm Institute student at USF

“Congratulations on your presidency from a former board member as well as a former resident on Brazil Avenue.” Frank Noonan ’56

“Dr. Aceves, Congratulations! Thank you for your commitment to the important work of educating our students in mind, hand, and heart. As a Catholic mother of one of your psychology students in a city with much need, I am hopeful that you will look to partnerships in the Jesuit tradition for USF students to make ripples of change. I hope that my daughter will encounter professors who have the knowledge and enthusiasm to teach, lead, and inspire and opportunities to serve the SF community at large. She has had a life changing and successful first year!” MonaLisa Avila, parent of a current student

“As a Jesuit and an alum, I am excited that you were selected to take the reins of our university. I pray that you will lead USF to new heights while keeping it rooted in its Catholic and Ignatian roots, always having before you USF’s mission to be a light for the city and the world.” Dennis Marzan, SJ ’99

“Dear President Aceves, I was admitted to USF Law’s incoming fall 2025 class and recently read about your hire as USF President. As a first-generation Latino student changing careers from education to law, I was excited to hear the news! The more I read about your story and vision for the university, the more I felt inspired to join USF this fall. I wish you success in your new role!” Andrew Soler

“Congratulations, Professor Aceves! What wonderful news that you are coming back to USF. I'm so happy to hear about this next chapter for you and thrilled that USF will benefit from your phenomenal leadership.” Nancy Easterbrook Millward MBA ’03

“Welcome Mr. Aceves! Our daughter is about to start her third year at USF in the School of Nursing and Health Professions. She is learning a tremendous amount about life and, of course, nursing! We wish you all the best at USF.” Pam and Paul Piccione, parents of a current student