When I first returned to NDNU in 2021, I knew we were at a crossroads. But I also knew something else: that this community had the heart, the intelligence, and the faith to meet the challenge. I had seen that spirit before. I knew what it was made of — a deep resilience that comes straight from the legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and their remarkable foundress, Saint Julie Billiart.

That same spirit — determined, creative, and compassionate — has carried this institution through wars, depressions, pandemics, and cultural shifts. It is the spirit that says: “Teach them what they need to know for life.”

And for nearly 175 years, that’s exactly what we have done.

Saint Julie began her mission during the French Revolution — a time when educating women was considered a radical act. Her courage inspired others and gave rise to a movement that crossed borders and oceans. By 1851, the Sisters were teaching here in California, establishing what would become one of the oldest Catholic institutions of higher education on the West Coast.

As we approach our 175th anniversary in 2026, we carry that legacy forward — a legacy built on faith, service, and a deep belief in the transformative power of education. From lace-making to artificial intelligence, NDNU has always adapted to the needs of each new generation while remaining rooted in our enduring mission.

We continue to educate those who might not otherwise have access — and to prepare them not only for work, but for life, for leadership, and for service.

The Challenge We Faced

When I accepted the presidency in 2021, NDNU had already made a courageous decision. Our Board of Trustees and the Sisters had recognized the demographic and economic realities facing small private universities across the country. And they acted boldly.

They chose to transition NDNU from a traditional, residential undergraduate university to one focused on graduate and degree-completion programs for working adults.

It was not an easy choice. It meant saying goodbye to long traditions and reimagining what our future could be. But it was the right choice — a choice grounded in foresight, stewardship, and mission.

The truth is, we were in a turnaround. We carried significant debt. Enrollment had declined. The path ahead was uncertain. But what we had — what we have always had — faith, resourcefulness, and a community that refused to give up.

The Sisters provided bridge loans to keep the university operating, giving us time to build a sustainable plan. And that time — that act of faith — changed everything.

A New Chapter Begins

This past year, we turned a page in NDNU’s history. We completed the sale of our campus land to the University of California’s investment arm. With that sale, Notre Dame de Namur University became debt-free for the first time in decades.

We have repaid the Sisters. We have stabilized our finances. And we now have the resources to invest in our people, our programs, and our mission.

This sale was not simple. It required approvals from the Sisters’ leadership, the Archdiocese, and even the Vatican itself. It took patience, perseverance, and faith. But through that long process, our purpose never wavered. And when the transaction closed, we didn’t just balance the books — we secured our future.

So today, we can say with pride and gratitude: NDNU is debt-free, financially stable, and moving forward with confidence.