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Vita Honored at Reception

04/04/2023

Leaders at Saint Louis University gathered in the Sinquefield Stateroom in DuBourg Hall on April 3 to honor Paul Vita, Ph.D., who is leaving his post as dean and director of SLU-Madrid to become the inaugural president and vice-chancellor of James Hope University in Nigeria.

Paul Vita

University Provost Michael Lewis, Ph.D. (left) speaks during an April 3 reception to honor Paul Vita, Ph.D. (right), who is leaving his post as dean and director of SLU Madrid to become the inaugural president and vice-chancellor of James Hope University, a new institution of higher education in Nigeria. SLU Photo.

During the special reception, University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., and Provost Michael Lewis, Ph.D., talked about Vita's impact on the Madrid campus. Vita’s accomplishments include growing the student body nearly two-fold, doubling the size of the faculty, increasing the number of full degree programs, and opening San Ignacio Hall, among others.

Vita has been a member of the SLU community for nearly 25 years. He joined the SLU-Madrid faculty in 1999 and became chair of the English Department there in 2000. In 2008, he was appointed academic dean of the campus, and in 2012 he took on additional leadership responsibilities as the campus’ director.

“Paul has led the campus’ strategic transformation into a highly-respected American Jesuit institution serving students from all over the world, especially Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S.,” Lewis wrote in a recent message to the SLU community announcing Vita’s next leadership role.

As the inaugural president and vice-chancellor of James Hope University, Vita will lead the start-up of the new institution of higher education in the Lekki Peninsula, a flourishing cosmopolis of Lagos, Nigeria. He is expected to leave his position at SLU for his new role next month.

The Provost recently traveled to Spain to meet with members of the Madrid campus community to identify an interim dean and director, which is expected to be announced soon. The University also plans to launch an inclusive international search for the permanent leadership of the Madrid campus.