Saint Peter’s University has found its next president.

The school’s board of trustees announced Hubert Benitez’s appointment at the end of March. Effective July 1, Benitez assumes the post from Saint Peter‘s longest-serving president, Eugene Cornacchia.

Cornacchia announced his retirement last summer after 17 years with the Jersey City higher education institution. A seven-month national search ensued to find his replacement, with the board of trustees unanimously selecting Benitez.

The 16-member presidential search committee included trustees, student leadership, faculty, staff, and academic and administrative leaders, as well as the larger, external higher education community. Isaacson, Miller conducted the search.

Benitez most recently served as president and CEO of American International College in Springfield, Mass. According to his hiring announcement, he has significant experience with public, private and Jesuit higher education institutions.

‘The right person’

“With his outstanding academic credentials, considerable experience and dynamic leadership, the Board and I are confident that Dr. Benitez will not only steer the University toward continued success in its next chapter, but also be a strong advocate for our students and champion for our faculty,” said Kenneth Moore, chair of the Saint Peter’s University board of trustees. “We were all deeply impressed with his Jesuit values of service and cura personalis as well as his personal commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

“We are certain he is the right person to lead our institution forward, and we welcome Dr. Benitez to Saint Peter’s University,” Moore said.

According to Saint Peter’s, Benitez demonstrated experience in academic administration and leadership, strategic planning, program development and health sciences education along with institutional and programmatic accreditation.

Benitez thanked the trustees for his appointment.

“As a person spiritually rooted in the Catholic faith, with personal values that align with those of Jesuit education and traditions, I feel blessed to be returning to Jesuit higher education and joining the Saint Peter’s community,” he commented. “As we begin this journey together, I look forward to working with the faculty and staff of the University, as we collectively continue to build the future of this great institution.”

Getting to know you

Before AIC, Benitez was vice president of strategic initiatives, academic innovation and chief inclusion officer at Rockhurst University, also a Jesuit institution. He was also previously president and CEO of Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences.

Benitez has held a number of leadership roles throughout his career, such as provost, chief academic officer, dean of health sciences, department chair, assistant dean and professor. He is also a peer reviewer for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The voluntary, peer-based, nonprofit membership organization performs peer evaluation and accreditation of public and private universities and colleges.

Having previously spent 15 years as a clinician, Benitez has since dedicated the last two decades of his career as an academic and administrator.

“I believe that today, more than ever, our nation needs more institutions like Saint Peter’s, which educate the whole person, nurturing the personal, spiritual and professional needs of our students. With the people, resources and education the University offers, we are very well-positioned to continue to assist our diverse student body, as they enter the workforce, serve compassionately and make a difference in our communities,” Benitez said. “The possibilities at Saint Peter’s are endless.”