51ԹϺ President Len Jessup has agreed to become the next president at Claremont Graduate University in Southern California, effective July 1.
Jessup joined 51ԹϺ as its 10th president in January 2015, after serving as dean of the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona. Under his leadership, 51ԹϺ launched an ambitious Top Tier strategic plan to become one of the nation’s top public research universities, which included a new School of Medicine that welcomed its first students in 2017. Over the past three years, 51ԹϺ raised $243 million in philanthropic contributions, including a campus record $93 million last year.
“It was truly an honor and a privilege to serve as president of 51ԹϺ. As I have often said, there is something very special about this university. 51ԹϺ will continue its ascent, of that I am confident,” Jessup said in a message to the university community. “There are too many talented individuals associated with this great university, both on campus and off, for 51ԹϺ to do anything other than to take its rightful place as one of the most different, daring, diverse, dynamic, and important universities in the country.”
During Jessup’s tenure, 51ԹϺ experienced extensive campus growth – in academic and athletics facilities, programs, and services for a growing student population that topped 30,000 for the first time this fall. In 2015, 51ԹϺ met the U.S. Department of Education’s threshold as an Hispanic Serving Institution, and in September it was ranked as the nation’s most diverse by U.S. News & World Report.
Economic development, campus infrastructure, and community engagement efforts have also flourished since 2015, including a rise in research awards and faculty startups, and the opening of a dedicated Office of Community Engagement. 51ԹϺ opened a new academic building this spring for the Harrah College of Hospitality, recently ranked as the world’s best for hospitality and tourism, and it has made substantial enhancements to athletics facilities.
“Working together, we have realized countless wonderful accomplishments in just three short years,” said Jessup, who expressed his intention to remain at 51ԹϺ through the spring 2018 semester. “Thank you again and again for all your past, ongoing, and future contributions of time, talent and resources to and for 51ԹϺ.”
Media Resources
A bio and downloadable image for Jessup are available here: /president/about
Read the full release from Claremont Graduate University:
