Dear faculty and staff colleagues,
As I prepare to take office as Duquesne’s 14th president on July 1, 2026, I am excited to share some important updates on my transition planning. Since the Board of Directors announced my appointment in November, I have been actively collaborating with leaders across our University community to ensure that, together, we can hit the ground running on day one.
Becoming Duquesne’s president is both a profound honor and a source of inspiration. I’m incredibly proud of our dedicated team of faculty and staff, whose efforts have created the tremendous momentum we are experiencing as I prepare to begin my presidency. If we are to continue building on the remarkable successes of the past decade, I will need the insight, creativity, and partnership of every member of our community. Your commitment and hard work have shaped Duquesne’s journey thus far, and your voices will be essential in guiding its next chapter.
In recent weeks, I have begun meeting with various groups across our campus and the city — faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners — to hear directly from you. Your hopes, aspirations, and concerns for our beloved University are helping me understand where we currently stand and where we can go together. I am grateful for the candid and thoughtful feedback many of you have shared.
I am pleased to announce that, starting next week, I’ll be hosting a series of small-group listening sessions for faculty and staff. The first two sessions will be held on Feb. 4 and Feb. 10, and you can sign up for one of them through this Doodle poll. Please note that space will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. I will add more open session dates throughout the spring and summer and share additional information about them in the coming weeks.
To ensure that every member of our community has the opportunity to be heard, even if you are unable to attend an in-person session, we have developed a confidential online survey. Your candid feedback is welcome, and you can submit your comments anonymously if you prefer.
My goal with these sessions – and with the broader listening tour – is to create an open space where you feel comfortable sharing your honest feedback. I want to hear what you’re thinking, whether that’s suggestions for me in my new role, ideas that will propel Duquesne’s future, or things we need to improve on.
For more information about my transition activities, the listening tour, and additional resources — including a save-the-date for my presidential inauguration ceremony this fall — I encourage you to visit our newly launched presidential transition website. This site will serve as a central hub for updates throughout the spring.
As I stated when the Board announced my appointment, it is one of the greatest honors of my life to serve this University as its next president. I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you — with energy, humility, and a deep belief in what Duquesne can achieve when we listen to one another and work together.
Kind regards,
David
David J. Dausey, Ph.D., Ed.D.
President-Elect
Duquesne University
