Office of the President

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Dominican University President Nicola Pitchford talks to students during an outdoor campus event.

I am endlessly impressed by the kindness, resilience, and curiosity of Dominican students. They embrace difference and challenge injustice, they seize opportunity, take risks, and strive both for growth and for authenticity. These students inspire my deep pride and admiration.

Dominican embodies the ethos of California and its progressive values. We welcome people of all beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities. Our diversity is our strength. 

Thus it is my happy privilege and essential responsibility as president to champion our students’ every effort and ensure an equitable, evidence-based college experience for all athletes, artists, activists, and scholars who call our beautiful campus home.

This is the spirit of the Dominican Experience, our commitment to engage every student in learning with community partners, crafting a capstone project, building a digital portfolio, and working towards their goals with a committed network of advisors and coaches.

Reach out, visit, and join us. Dominican’s doors are open. You have the right to be here, and you belong.

Nicola Pitchford, PhD
President
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Strategic Planning

Dominican University of California continues to iterate on its "Dominican at 130" strategic plan, guided by the following principles:

  • The Board of Trustees recognizes the progress made toward achieving the vision for Dominican at 130 years and is committed to advancing the initiatives outlined therein; 
  • Dominican’s rich history and founding ideals of study, reflection, community, and service will guide all planning work; 
  • Our process will be informed by data and rely on our campus’s best ideas for innovation;
  • Senior leadership will engage the campus in articulating the path to the future;
  • Our process will be responsive to Dominican’s Strategic Diversity Plan so that we may continue to meet the needs of an inclusive culture and changing student demographics; 
  • Our process will invite participation from students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners.
     

Office of the President Leadership

Contact Information

For media inquiries, please contact Communications and Media Relations. For the President's Office, please contact:

President Pitchford, Dominican University of California

Inauguration

The inauguration of Dr. Nicola Pitchford was held Friday, May 13, at 4 p.m. on our campus in San Rafael, California.

Inauguration Details
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Speeches and Writings

President Pitchford's research interests and expertise include issues in higher education, contemporary British literature, feminist theory, race and national identity, and landscape writing.

Selected Works of Nicola Pitchford, PhD
Dominican University of California Campus

Messages from the President

Here you will find an archive of messages sent to the Dominican community.

View Message Archive
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Campus Leadership

Learn more about the senior administration and board of trustees.

Senior Administration
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The Dominican Experience

Our signature academic model is designed to support the success of every Dominican student.

The Dominican Experience

University News

Meet our Team

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Sandy Pearson

Executive Assistant, Office of the President
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Jaime Libby, MA

Special Assistant to the President & Board Secretary
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Sarah Gardner

Senior Advisor to the President for Communications, Media Relations, and Public Affairs