Make wishtv.com your home page

New president for Valparaiso University

VALPARAISO, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — The Valparaiso University Board of Directors has selected José Padilla as the university’s next president. Padilla, who most recently served as vice president, university counsel and secretary of the University of Colorado System, will begin his new role next month.

Padilla succeeds Mark Heckler, who announced in August 2019 he was stepping down from the position. Colette Irwin-Knott has served as interim president since July

“We are delighted to have found such an exceptional leader for our university,” said Frederick Kraegel, chair of the Valpo Board of Directors. “José’s deep and varied background in all aspects of higher education make him ideally suited to lead Valpo.”

Padilla has also held senior leadership roles at DePaul University in Chicago. The university says the selection followed an “exhaustive search” that lasted more than a year and included more than 100 candidates. 

Padilla will serve as president-elect beginning Jan. 1 and will work with Irwin-Knott to transition to the permanent role on or before March 1.