Georgetown’s board of directors named W. Robert Berkley, Jr. (B’95), a CEO and alumnus of the McDonough School of Business, as the board’s new chair during its summer meeting.
Berkley most recently served as a vice chair on the board and is the chairman, president and CEO of W. R. Berkley Corporation, one of the largest property and casualty insurance providers in the U.S.
On July 1, Berkley succeeded Thomas A. Reynolds III (B’74), who has served as chair since 2021.
“Tom has done an extraordinary job leading the board,” said former Interim President Robert M. Groves. “He has been steadfast in his support and has provided invaluable guidance and leadership during a period of transition. I thank him for his many years of service to our university. We look forward to Rob’s leadership as our new board chair — he has a deep understanding of Georgetown and the challenges and opportunities we face, essential qualities in a board leader.”
Georgetown’s board of directors also approved two new degree programs, received updates on capital projects in DC and abroad, and amended its bylaws.
In addition, the board approved a new budget for fiscal year 2027. The balanced budget includes $292 million for financial aid, the largest commitment to financial aid in the university’s history.
New Graduate Degree Programs
The board approved a new Master’s of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology within Biomedical Graduate Education at the School of Medicine. The program will launch in fall 2027 with applications opening this summer.
Distinguished University Professor Lucile Adams-Campbell, the first African American woman to earn a doctorate in epidemiology in the U.S., will serve as the program director. The 45-credit curriculum focuses on health disparities and offers students a practitioner-focused pathway that includes a required public health practicum and capstone project.
“Some of the most entrenched public health challenges of our time require us to better understand the factors behind why health outcomes differ across populations and where evidence-based interventions can improve health and well-being,” Adams-Campbell said.
“Georgetown’s new MPH in Epidemiology will prepare students to use data, science and community engagement to identify factors that influence health and develop solutions that strengthen communities. By combining rigorous epidemiologic training with practical field experience, we are preparing graduates who can turn evidence into action.”
The board also approved the creation of a Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Leadership and Artificial Intelligence in the School of Continuing Studies. The new graduate program is aimed at emerging leaders and experienced professionals and will train students to lead strategically in complex, AI-driven organizations.
Campus Improvement Updates
The board received updates on an expansion of Georgetown’s space in Jakarta, Indonesia. The space will expand the footprint of Georgetown SFS Asia Pacific (GSAP) in the country’s capital. GSAP currently offers a Master’s in Diplomacy and International Affairs for mid-career professionals and a semester abroad in Indonesia for SFS graduate students.
The renovated space will enable the creation of three new academic programs starting in fall 2026. The new space will also include a modern lecture hall, classrooms, lounge areas and faculty offices.
In addition, the board members received a progress report on the university’s future boathouse following the agreement last year that will provide Georgetown with land along the Potomac River.
Georgetown received regulatory approvals for the boathouse’s design this spring and is in the final process of exchanging land with the National Park Service and the District of Columbia.
The boathouse will serve as a hub for the men’s and women’s rowing teams. Georgetown will also provide rowing programming for the DC community, and the boathouse docks will be open to the public year-round for canoeing, paddleboarding and kayaking.
Leadership Transitions
The board celebrated the service of several longtime leaders and welcomed new leaders to the community.
The summer meeting marked the first board meeting for Georgetown President-elect Eduardo M. Peñalver, who began his tenure on July 1. Peñalver delivered a presentation on AI, political polarization and his vision for the growing Capitol Campus.
The board also expressed its gratitude for Groves’ leadership over his time as interim president.
“It has been an honor to work alongside Interim President Groves as he led our university through a challenging moment in higher education,” Reynolds said. “His leadership furthered our mission as a Catholic and Jesuit university to serve the common good, and we wish him all the best.”
The board also celebrated the service of six departing board members: Rosemary Berkery, former chair and CEO of UBS Bank USA; Thomas Purcell, president and CEO of Lake Trail Capital; Sonny Kalsi (B’90), CEO of BentallGreenOak; Fr. Daniel Huang, S.J., associate lecturer at the Pontifical Gregorian University; Afsaneh Beschloss, founder and CEO of RockCreek; and Kevin Warren (B’84), former executive vice president and chief marketing and customer experience officer at UPS.
Other Updates
During the summer meeting, the board voted to amend its bylaws. The amended bylaws will promote interdisciplinary cooperation by replacing the board committees on the Law and Main Campuses with two new committees, one focused on undergraduate education and the other focused on graduate and professional education.
The board also heard from Matthew Biel, director of the Thrive Center for Children, Families and Communities, on the work of the center in advancing family-centered care. In addition, Paul Almeida, dean and the William R. Berkley Chair at the McDonough School of Business, and Reena Aggarwal, founding director and Robert E. McDonough Professor of Finance, presented on the work of the Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy.
