Presidential Transition Committees

Presidential Transition Steering Committee

The steering committee's primary responsibilities are to prepare the University community to celebrate our departing president, welcome and support the president-elect, and provide periodic updates to the internal/external community on details/updates of the transition efforts.

Presidential Transition Steering Committee Membership

  • Mike Reilly, Chair of the Board of Trustees and Co-Chair of the Transition Committee
  • Christy Larsen, Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee
  • Joe Poss, Vice President/CAO, University Advancement and Co-Chair of the Transition Committee
  • Astrid Kingsford, Sr. Assistant to the Vice President and Administrative Assistant to the Transition Committee
  • Mia Bertagnolli, Interim Provost
  • Julia Bjordahl, Director of Operations, Office of the President
  • Mike Graham, S.J., Board of Trustees
  • Kurt Heimbigner, Interim Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications and Co-Chair, Communications and Celebrations Subcommittee
  • John Hemmingson, Board of Trustees
  • Mary Herche, Board of Trustees
  • Ray Kliewer, Vice President for Human Resources and Co-Chair, Onboarding and Orientation Subcommittee
  • Bob Lyons, S.J., University Chaplain and Board of Members
  • Renee Reuther, Board of Trustees
  • Larry Simkins, Board of Trustees
  • Sarah Schwering, Presidential Communications Specialist and Co-Chair, Communications and Celebrations Subcommittee
  • Dori Sonntag, Associate Vice President/COO, University Advancement and Chair, Stakeholder Engagement Committee
  • Chris Standiford, Athletic Director
  • Diane Timberlake, Board of Trustees

Presidential Transition Subcommittees

Three subcommittees are mobilized to frame the work of the transition: Communications and Celebrations, Onboarding and Orientation, and Stakeholder Engagement. 

Communications and Celebrations

This subcommittee is organizing a series of events and engagement opportunities that highlight the achievements and contributions of President McCulloh; creating a communications plan to position Dr. Passerini for success as the University’s next leader; and providing periodic updates to the internal/external community on appropriate details/updates of the transition efforts.

  • Co-Chair – Kurt Heimbigner, Interim Assoc. VP, Marketing and Communications
  • Co-Chair – Sarah Schwering, Presidential Communications Specialist
  • James Aitken, Sr. Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Communications
  • Julia Bjordahl, Director of Operations, Office of the President
  • Holly Jones, Sr. Development Strategist/Writer, University Advancement
  • Whitney Franklin, Director of Strategic Initiatives, University Advancement
  • Jessica Maiers, Assistant Director of Marketing, Marketing and Communications
  • Ashley Martin, Sr. Director of Marketing, Marketing and Communications
  • Stephanie Rockwell, Assistant Vice President, Operations and Fundraising Strategy, University Advancement
  • Kate Vanskike, Sr. Director, Content Strategy and Publications, Marketing and Communications

Presidential Announcement Task Force

This task force's work is complete. On January 15, 2025, Gonzaga was thrilled announce the selection of Katia Passerini, Ph.D., as our 27th president.

  • Kurt Heimbigner, Interim Assoc. VP, Marketing and Communications
  • Sarah Schwering, Presidential Communications Specialist
  • Julia Bjordahl, , Director of Operations, Office of the President
  • Joe Poss, Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer

Onboarding and Orientation

This subcommittee will create a smooth transition for Dr. Passerini as she assumes her role; facilitating a process for her to listen and learn about Gonzaga’s history, traditions, and culture; and supporting her understanding of key priorities and major issues facing higher education in the context of Gonzaga’s community, unique institutional characteristics, communication norms/channels and academic calendar.

  • Co-Chair – Ray Kliewer, Vice President for Human Resources
  • Co-Chair – Joe Poss, Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer
  • Julia Bjordahl, Director of Operations, Office of the President
  • Laura Gatewood, Assistant Vice President, Donor Relations, University Advancement
  • Heather James, Dean, Foley Library
  • Robin Kelley, Chief Diversity Officer
  • Ellen Maccarone, Vice President for Mission Integration
  • Dr. Tom McKenzie, Professor of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences and Faculty President
  • Joe Smith, Chief Financial Officer
  • Jacquie Van Hoomissen, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Stakeholder Engagement

This subcommittee supports the events and engagement opportunities of the transition effort; guiding engagement with key University stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, Jesuits, parents, donors, alumni, tribal leaders, community leaders, and other members of the community for Dr. Passerini; and capturing and sharing Gonzaga’s important traditions as part of the transition process.

  • Chair – Dori Sonntag, Associate Vice President/COO, University Advancement
  • Matt Eastman, Program Manager II, Information Technology Services and Staff Assembly President
  • Maddie Ediger, Student and GSBA President-Elect
  • Whitney Franklin, Director of Strategic Initiatives, University Advancement
  • Yoli Gallardo, Dean, School of Education
  • Kara Hertz, Assistant Vice President, Alumni and External Relations
  • Jason Houston, Dean, Gonzaga in Florence
  • Kathleen Jeffs, Associate Provost for Assessment, Accreditation, and Programs
  • Astrid Le Roy, Program Assistant III, Office of the President
  • Ellen Maccarone, Vice President for Mission Integration
  • Kent Porterfield, Vice Provost for Student Affairs
  • Jacob Rooksby, Dean, Law School
  • John Sklut, Sr. Advisor to the President, External and Government Affairs
  • Brian Steverson, Professor, John L. Aram Chair of Business Ethics
  • Shannon Strahl, Deputy Athletics Director and COO, Senior Women’s Administrator
  • Wendy Thompson, Director of Tribal Relations

April Campus Visit Task Force

  • Task Force Chair – Dori Sonntag, Associate Vice President/COO, University Advancement
  • Matt Eastman, Program Manager II, Information Technology Services and Staff Assembly President
  • Maddie Ediger, Student and GSBA President-Elect
  • Laura Gatewood, Assistant Vice President, Donor Relations, University Advancement
  • Astrid LeRoy, Program Assistant III, Office of the President
  • Kate Vanskike, Sr. Director, Content Strategy and Publications, Marketing and Communications
  • Dr. Veta Schlimgen, Associate Professor of History and Faculty Representative
  • Father Gilbert Sunghera, S.J., Superior, Della Strada Jesuit Community
  • Becky Wilkey, Director, Campus Security & Public Safety