In a quiet, woodsy patch of land just five miles from downtown Denver, Colo., Shawna Cooper Whitehead welcomed students back to campus for her historic first year as president of Regis University.

Dr. Cooper Whitehead officially began her tenure as president of the Jesuit university on July 1, and students began classes on Aug. 24.

A seasoned veteran of higher education, she comes from Boston College, where she served as vice president of student affairs. She also held roles at Seton Hall, Loyola University Chicago, the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston University.

Dr. Cooper Whitehead is not only the first woman to serve as president of Regis but the first Black woman to serve as president of a Jesuit college or university in the United States. And she’s stepping into the role at a time when universities across the country are contending with threats to higher education from artificial intelligence and a decline in the college-age population. 

America sat down virtually with Dr. Cooper Whitehead to talk about her background, approach to Jesuit education and plans for her tenure.

This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

Dr. Cooper Whitehead, where are you from?

I am originally from Champaign-Urbana, Ill., which is home to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the flagship state institution of my home state. So that’s probably why I went into higher education—from having been surrounded by it my entire life.

You started your career working at a handful of non-religiously-affiliated schools like Boston University, M.I.T. and Northwestern before breaking into Catholic universities. Was that an intentional pivot?

It was. I was working mostly in student affairs and student activities, and I really did love that work, but I think what was missing was mission and values. I’m Catholic myself. I was born and raised Catholic. And so Loyola Chicago had an opening on the academic side of the house. One of the most profound experiences that I had was when the Loyola Chicago undergraduate students took it upon themselves to vote to increase the student fee to support scholarships for undocumented students. And I was like, “This is part of a culture I want to be in.” Because it wasn’t just talking about it; it was action associated with it. That’s what’s really special about working at a mission-driven institution. 

I’d also say that I was really grateful to work with not just students but student organizations on who comes to campus. When it comes to Jesuit and mission-driven institutions, we can say, “No, that person goes against our values.” We’re not going to bring someone to our campuses who is going to spread hate. We have no problem educating or engaging in debate, but not with someone or an entity that is going to shift away from who we are as a Jesuit Catholic institution.

To a 17-year-old high school senior, what distinguishes a Jesuit university? What makes someone who’s not acquainted with that world say, “This is for me”?

We have to double down on our mission. That’s what separates us from other institutions. But when I talk to prospective students about coming to an institution, it’s about fit. For us, we’re the only Jesuit Catholic institution [of higher learning] in the Rocky Mountain West. So if you like the mountains, if you like being outdoors and you want an education that’s a little bit more intimate, we have a smaller undergraduate population, and we’re well known for not just our liberal arts, which is the foundation of much of Jesuit education, but also our health sciences. I haven’t been to a health care setting here yet that doesn’t have a Regis nurse. And what the Regis nurses say is, “It’s that foundation in the liberal arts that we’re known for, that distinguishes us from other nursing schools in the area.”

Some of your earliest roles in the world of higher education focused on fostering space for diversity on campus—you were an advisor to the Black Graduate Student Association and the Black Student Union at M.I.T.,  you served as director of African American student affairs at Northwestern. Now, you’re not only the first woman to serve as president of Regis University but the first Black woman to serve as president of a Jesuit college. How does an investment in diversity reflect in your leadership ethos?

Diversity is not singularly defined, and I do think our world sometimes just immediately goes to race or gender, but it’s much bigger than that. It goes back to really trying to think about serving people on the margins. When I think about diversity, it certainly includes race and gender, but how does it expand beyond that? I want to make sure that I’m always including everyone. It’s not just about the identities that I hold; it’s the identities that I don’t.

I always say [that] if you leave a university the same way you came in, then we haven’t done our job. It’s about exposing individuals to different things and not necessarily to change you but to understand. That’s what I think diversity is about.

What aspects of your own upbringing and personal life most influence your approach to leadership?

I was Catholic-educated from kindergarten through eighth grade. There, I was the only Black girl for nine years. In that time in my life, I was trying to prove myself—prove that Black women are smart. So I was an overachiever type and all that other good stuff. But I also want to make sure that our students, regardless of the background that they’re coming from, don’t always have to feel like they have to prove themselves. It’s me against me. I’m just trying to be the best Shawna Cooper Whitehead I can be.

You’re entering your presidency during a difficult era in higher education. In the past few years, several schools have publicly struggled to handle student protests and displays of free speech on campuses. Nearly every school has been forced to grapple with the ways artificial intelligence threatens higher education. What’s your philosophy for handling the difficulties and changes that may arise during your time as president? 

Part of the reason that I was O.K. taking a leadership role in this particular environment is that I couldn’t see myself being worried for my profession and my industry without contributing to it in a positive way.

Part of it is using the Jesuit value of accompaniment. By that, I mean I don’t do these things alone. I can indeed make an executive decision, but oftentimes I’m consulting my colleagues or faculty or students.

I lead through humility and curiosity—not pretending that I know everything, and asking lots of questions.

What’s new about a Shawna Cooper Whitehead presidency? What distinguishes your tenure from the legacy that precedes it?

In my previous role as vice president of student affairs at Boston College, I had to make sure the student experience was positive and that it included mission at the heart. This role, instead of doing, it’s more about asking the right questions and leveraging the talent that’s already here. Regis has had a number of changes in leadership, and I hope to provide stability, but at the same time bring in the knowledge and voices that can help contribute toward that. And I think that’s going to be different for folks.

We had to make some tough decisions––you know, many higher ed institutions are looking at the financials. And so we’re looking at everything from what are the right programs to how do we stay true to our mission, how do we motivate individuals, how do we think about fundraising and admissions––all those pieces that are part of the university. A lot of presidential roles are like fundraising and government relations and all those other things, which I certainly will do, but right now, the priority is this community and focusing on the faculty, staff and students who are here on campus so that they feel empowered.

On a personal level, what does it mean to be assuming this role right now?

I’ve said this to several people: It’s almost unbelievable. I’ve always wanted to help people, and that’s the only reason I’ve ever pursued leadership positions. I’ve always been a person who believes in divine intervention, and I had a prayer of discernment at the start of my interview, and I said: “You all are going to pick the right president. And true facts: I’m not miserable in my current role. But I want to help more, and I think Regis could benefit from some of the skill sets that I have.” 

Editors’ note, Sept. 9: This article has been updated to clarify Dr. Cooper Whitehead’s work history.

Will Martino is a Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J., fellow at America Media.