A Legacy of Leadership: Honoring over 40 years of service, global understanding, and impact.
As Georgetown’s longest-serving president, John J. DeGioia (known as Jack) has been a defining leader of the university and its global community for over two decades – expanding the university’s footprint in the nation’s capital and beyond, deepening the school’s Jesuit identity, and building new interdisciplinary partnerships across campus and around the world. As he transitions into a new role as president emeritus this spring, Paul Almeida, dean and William R. Berkley Chair, shares a personal reflection on DeGioia’s impact over the years as a leader, colleague, and friend.
How would you define President DeGioia’s leadership over the years?
Jack believes deeply in our Jesuit values, including our mission to serve the common good, to make a difference in the world, to support the marginalized, and to be women and men for others. He championed these efforts during his tenure as president and lived these values as a leader and servant of our community. Jack also has a talent for bringing people together. Where else in the world can you learn alongside people of inter-religious faiths and backgrounds and foster productive dialogue and understanding? This is Georgetown, and it’s been carefully woven into our DNA through Jack’s leadership and personal values.
Jack’s impact can also be felt through simple interactions within the campus community. Even as a young faculty member, Jack took the time to get to know me by name and remember details about my life and kids. I greatly valued his partnership and support over the years, and I know I am just one example of how his leadership has resonated with colleagues across our community.
What can people learn from his approach to service?
President DeGioia was the first lay person to lead a Jesuit institution in the United States, yet in many ways he is the embodiment of our Jesuit character. As a Georgetown graduate himself, he demonstrated the importance of leading by example, finding deeper meaning and purpose in our work, and creating a culture of belonging. When you embrace leadership with these principles at the forefront, you can unleash the good in everyone and empower people to reach their full potential. Jack has set a new standard for the type of leadership that is needed at academic institutions as we contemplate the role of higher education in a changing, ever-evolving world.
How can we carry forward his legacy?
Georgetown is known for our Jesuit character, our global emphasis and for interdisciplinary programs and research. In addition to strengthening our campus in Washington, D.C., Jack took our university to new regions across the world – we launched a campus in Doha, established centers in London, and grew our presence in the United Arab Emirates through the Executive MBA in Dubai, among many other international initiatives.
Global engagement through the lens of our Jesuit values is central to our identity at Georgetown and it is a critical part of how we shape the future of business and society. We will continue Jack’s legacy by immersing ourselves in new cultures, remaining true to our Jesuit identity, and finding new ways to make a positive difference and bring our global community together.
This story was originally featured in the Georgetown Business Spring 2025 Magazine. Download the Georgetown Business Audio app to listen to the stories and other bonus content.