Aquinas College celebrates the inauguration of Alicia Córdoba, D.M.A.

"Honored, humbled, feeling at home."

Surrounded by family, friends, colleagues, and a large, loving Aquinas community, Alicia R. Córdoba, D.M.A. was inaugurated as the ninth president of Aquinas College on October 7, 2022, at the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center. Notably, Dr. Córdoba is the first female president of Aquinas.

October 7th was specifically chosen by Dr. Córdoba to celebrate this landmark occasion in her life and that of Aquinas College because it is the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Rosary. Dr. Córdoba has a long tradition and commitment to the Holy Mother, and of course our Dominican Sisters, who founded Aquinas College in 1886 and recognize the tradition that in 1208 a rosary was given to St. Dominic by Our Lady of the Rosary in the church of Prouille. Today, we see our rich Catholic and Dominican heritage come full circle, from St. Dominic and Our Lady of the Rosary in 1208, to our Dominican Sisters who founded the school in 1886, to our newest leader invested in her office here today in 2022.

Reflecting on the path that led her to Aquinas, Dr. Córdoba said, "With all humility, I believe God has been preparing me to serve you. At various points throughout my career, my mentors, friends and family would point to my abilities to organize, bring people together, to have a vision and make it a reality, and most importantly my desire to serve others in order to help them make their own hopes and dreams come true."

You can read Dr. Córdoba's full remarks here.

Replays of live video

Celebration of the Eucharist Mass from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel

Inauguration from Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center Aquinas College

News coverage of the Inauguration

WOOD TV8: Aquinas College inaugurates first woman president

Grand Rapids Business Journal: Aquinas College inaugurates new president

MLive: West Michigan's Catholic college, Aquinas, inaugurates its first female president

Córdoba begins her tenure at Aquinas College on July 1, 2022. 

“On behalf of the board of trustees, I am delighted to welcome Dr. Córdoba as the ninth president of Aquinas College,” said Board Chair Marcie Hillary, ’97. “After a rigorous national search, extensive on-campus interviews and prayerful discernment, President-elect Córdoba was the clear and unanimous choice to lead Aquinas College at this pivotal time in higher education.

“Alicia is a servant-leader who brings decades of experience in higher education leadership, demonstrated fundraising success and stewardship, and strong financial acumen within the higher education business model. Her skill set is a perfect match for the criteria we have established for our next president and will be a strong complement to those of our current leadership team.”