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Office of the President

President Edward Feser, Ph.D.

As president of Saint Louis University, Dr. Edward Feser leads a global Jesuit research university with campuses in St. Louis and Madrid. One of only 52 private R1 institutions in the country, SLU has more than 15,000 students and 4,000 employees, an annual operating budget of more than $600 million, and an endowment of $1.9 billion.  

A portrait of SLU President Edward J. Feser, Ph.D.
Edward Feser, Ph.D., Saint Louis University's 34th president

Following an extensive national search, Dr. Feser became the 34th president of Saint Louis University on July 1, 2025. 

Rooted in his Roman Catholic faith and shaped by his Jesuit education at the University of San Francisco, Dr. Feser’s leadership journey has been defined by a steadfast belief in the power of education to transform lives and contribute to flourishing communities. 

A noted scholar of city and regional economic growth and development, Dr. Feser most recently served as Provost and Executive Vice President at Oregon State University, where his accomplishments include increased student access and success, elevated research impact, successful fundraising initiatives, and innovative community partnerships. 

As SLU president, he is committed to prioritizing the success of every student, building the university’s growing research enterprise with bold choices and focus, enhancing the agility and effectiveness of university operations, and collaborating with community partners to foster a thriving city and region for all.  

Committed to Excellence, Service, and Community

Throughout his distinguished career in higher education, Dr. Feser’s leadership has been inspired by the Jesuit tradition of fostering community, nurturing the potential of every person, and taking innovative action to serve the common good. 

“I am deeply grateful to Dr. Feser for his willingness to serve in such an important role," said Thomas P. Greene, S.J., the provincial superior of the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province, following Dr. Feser's appointment. "His experience as a scholar and administrator makes him uniquely qualified to lead a place as complex as SLU. But even more, I was heartened to hear of his desire to use education to engender hope in the young, his commitment to the University being leaven for the city, and his dedication to the University's Jesuit, Catholic identity.”

As a leader, Dr. Feser has sought to elevate — through connection and innovation — all facets of a university’s mission to advance research, educate students, expand access and serve local communities. During his tenure as Provost and Executive Vice President at Oregon State University, he:

  • Led the development and implementation of strategic plans focused on student success, groundbreaking research and institutional innovation.
  • Championed bold initiatives, including a $213 million Collaborative Innovation Complex — now under construction — to foster interdisciplinary research, powered by artificial intelligence and accelerated computing, and expanding arts and humanities programs.
  • Expanded access and support for students from all backgrounds, with a focus on ensuring that every single student has the resources they need to succeed. 
  • Implemented a new shared responsibility budget model to advance transparency and financial stability.

Drawing on his background in city and regional economic development, Dr. Feser strongly believes that all universities must be partners in serving and improving the well-being of the communities they call home. His community-focused efforts have included the launch of a downtown hub in Portland, Oregon, and the development of a campus-based innovation district in Bend, Oregon. He has served on numerous boards and commissions to address economic development, workforce strategies and public policy challenges.

President Ed and Kathy Feser
President Edward and Mrs. Kathy Feser

Background

The son of a National Park ranger, Dr. Feser grew up in the Pacific Northwest and attended a Catholic high school in Red Bluff, California. His wife of 34 years, Kathy, is a civil engineer-turned-educator who has led sustainability efforts for a school district in Oregon. They have two adult children, Jack and Mary.

Education
  • Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1997
  • M.R.P., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1994
  • B.A., University of San Francisco, 1989
Academic Leadership History
  • Provost and Executive Vice President, Oregon State University, 2017-2025
  • Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2015-2017
  • Dean, College of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2012-2015
  • Division Head, Innovation, Management and Policy, Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK, 2011-2012
  • Department Head, Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007-2011
Faculty Appointments
  • Professor, School of Public Policy, Oregon State University, 2017-2025
  • Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007-2017
  • Professor, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008-2017
  • Professor and Eddie Davies Chair of Entrepreneurship, Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK, 2011-2012
  • Associate Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2004-2007
  • Associate Professor, Department of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2003
  • Assistant Professor, Department of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1997-2002