The 29th President of USF, Salvador D. Aceves ’83, Ed.D. ’95, is the first Latino and layperson — someone not ordained by the Church — to serve as the University’s president in its 170-year-long history. Born and raised in San Francisco to immigrant parents from Mexico, his journey with USF began as a first-generation undergraduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the School of Management and later a doctorate in Education. Considering that both his academic and professional journeys began at USF, President Aceves sees his recent appointment as a “homecoming.”
Aceves has worn many hats when it comes to his professional history. Within USF, he has served as the associate dean of academic programs in the School of Management, an associate professor of accounting, vice provost and chief planning and budget officer. He taught accounting at Napa Valley College and Fordham University in New York, where he also served as the associate vice president of academic financial planning. His most recent appointment was president at Regis University in Denver, Colorado, where he was also once senior vice president and chief financial officer.
Finally, after over a decade away from USF, he has made his return as President.
From his office in Lone Mountain, President Aceves gets an uninterrupted view of the east side of the city. His starchy white button-down shirt — a stark contrast to the usual black cassock that Jesuit priests wear — reflected the light coming in, bouncing illumination onto the wooden Our Lady of Guadalupe sculpture hanging above the fireplace. As someone breaking a 170-year-long tradition of ordained priests leading USF, for the first time, President Aceves’ appointment follows a narrative that many can relate to. “In many ways, I’m absolutely privileged, and excited about the appointment, but I’m also humbled, because I recognize that this is such an important opportunity…It brings to life my parents’ struggle, because so many of our parents, particularly as immigrants, were coming at great sacrifice to find a new place and wanting that better life for their sons and daughters.”
He continued, “I noticed, and this became very real during orientation, are new students parents’ saying, ‘Wow, it’s great to see you as a Latino person now in this role,’ and so I recognize that it’s not just me.” With 47% of the incoming class of 2029 being first-generation students, his appointment comes at an opportune time. “Now I think, as we bring our first generation students to campus, we ourselves need to ask, ‘How do we best support you?’ Because part of what I also recognize is no different from my parents. Sometimes our parents don’t know how to help. They want to help, and we know that, but they’re also asking the question, ‘How can we help?’ And so I’ve been a big advocate for saying…‘We admit you, but we also are admitting your families.’”
Since the start of the semester, President Aceves has been spotted around campus, talking to students in line at the cafeteria or laid out on Welch Field. Though a small-statured man, his presence has not gone unnoticed by students. “I’ve enjoyed the cafeteria. In fact, it has found its way into my inauguration speech. Because it’s been those moments where I’ve observed some things…when I think about the University of today, I think that the best way for us to describe the University is through what we’re doing through our stories. And so these are the stories that I’m now, you know, focusing on,” he said.
Compared to his time on campus as a student, President Aceves has noticed the external pressures that follow students into the classroom, affecting their ability to thrive both personally and academically. When asked what has stood out to him the most from returning to campus, President Aceves said: “Well, I would say two things. I think what has not changed is the commitment towards an education that links the mind, the heart and the hands and the spirit. I think that, to me, is very much alive as it was when I was here as a student…Now, what’s quite a bit different is all of the things that compete for our time… so that makes life a lot more complicated.”
“The question that I’ve been asking the community at large… What gives you hope? Because I really do believe that in the midst of challenges and struggles, there has to be that bright light. Something that, when you get up in the morning, gives you energy and passion,” he said. “I would ask students to reflect on that, and if we run into each other, I would want them to share that.”
Within that, President Aceves holds deep gratitude for students choosing to come to USF, and is committed to making the community feel supported in their belonging to the University. He said, “I think that is really important because that really speaks to the commitment and relationship that we are building together.”
In looking forward to his official duties as University President, Aceves hopes to “continue to maintain the trajectory of faith-based education, and position [USF] as a partner in the future of this city. I think that this city is going through a renaissance; it has had its period of ups and downs… but how can we address those issues with compassion and care?
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President Aceves’ inauguration will take place on Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. in the St. Ignatius Church. Students can volunteer through ASUSF Senate to partake in the ceremony.
President Aceves and other members of the USF administration will be panelists at ASUSF Senate’s fall town hall on Oct. 22 in the Xavier Auditorium.
Sayat Yemiru contributed to the reporting of this story.
