Exciting Leadership Change: Jim Burkee Appointed New President of Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is welcoming a new president next month. Jim Burkee will take over as the 12th president of the institution, following the retirement of Edward Dadez in February. The university’s board sifted through over 300 applications to find the right fit.

Burkee replaces James DeTuccio, who served as interim president after Dadez’s departure. Currently president at Avila University in Missouri, Burkee starts his role at Saint Leo on September 1.

He expressed excitement about joining at a unique time for the university. “I felt called to Saint Leo when innovation and mission are blending in exciting ways,” he said. Burkee sees value in balancing new ideas with lasting principles, something he believes Saint Leo embodies through its online learning and community services.

At Avila, Burkee made significant strides. He tripled student enrollment, enhanced academic programs, raised over $34 million in donations, and improved connections with Catholic institutions. Before Avila, he held leadership roles at other colleges and taught history at several universities.

Burkee has a strong academic background, holding advanced degrees from Northwestern University and two bachelor’s degrees from Concordia University. He is a first-generation college graduate from a working-class family.

Noel Boeke, chair of the Board of Trustees, praised Burkee’s rich experience, saying he is the ideal person to guide Saint Leo’s future.

His presidency will aim to boost student enrollment and retention, increase fundraising, and strengthen partnerships within the community and industries. As the first and oldest Catholic university in Florida, Saint Leo is looking forward to a promising future under Burkee’s leadership.

Educational institutions are also witnessing nationwide trends. Recent statistics show many universities face declining enrollment rates. However, Burkee’s focus on community and innovation might offer a solid framework to attract more students, particularly in a post-pandemic world where online learning is more crucial than ever.

For more insights on educational trends, check out reports from the National Center for Education Statistics here.

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