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May 28, 2026
Dear Gonzaga Community,
The end of the academic year invites us into a moment of reflection and hope. Together, we give thanks for the many ways you have educated and accompanied our students, strengthened our community, and advanced our shared Mission.
This season also brings moments of transition. In my message to faculty and staff today, I mentioned several organizational changes. I wanted to take a moment to recognize, specifically, those members of my leadership team who are concluding their service to the University or are impacted by the changes. Their contributions have helped shape Gonzaga into the strong, Mission-driven institution we are today.
On behalf of the entire University, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the following colleagues:
Chuck Murphy, Chief Strategy Officer
Chuck Murphy’s 47 years of service to Gonzaga have left a lasting imprint on every aspect of the University. From his early work in finance to his leadership as chief strategy officer, Chuck helped guide Gonzaga through periods of significant growth and transformation with steady judgment and deep care for the institution.
His influence is visible across our campus in the spaces that form our students, in the financial strength that sustains our Mission, and in the many colleagues he mentored and developed over the years. Chuck approached each responsibility with humility and a long view, consistently asking how Gonzaga could better serve students not only today but for generations to come.
Throughout his tenure, Chuck has exemplified quiet, faithful leadership rooted in our Jesuit, Catholic Mission. We are deeply grateful for his wisdom, his integrity, and his enduring commitment to Gonzaga.
Chuck will conclude his nearly five-decade career at Gonzaga at the end of May.
Dr. Robin Kelley, Chief Diversity Officer
Since 2020, Dr. Robin Kelley has guided the formation of the Office of Inclusive Excellence with the belief that an institution’s success depends on how well it values, engages, and includes the richness of human difference in its community. She has lived this out by establishing processes and functions that help foster inclusion and belonging in our community.
Among other accomplishments, Dr. Kelley coordinated the development of the institution’s first Inclusive Excellence Strategic Plan and created the Inclusive Excellence Leadership Academy; created the Unity Through Diversity Symposium; revised faculty recruitment and retention guidelines; conducted a University-wide campus climate survey; implemented a revised Underrepresented Postdoctoral Fellowship Program; led the BIAS Response team and unconscious bias and harassment reduction workshops; served in several compliance roles; and taught undergraduate and graduate courses on cultural competence and diversity.
We are grateful to Dr. Kelley for her vision. Her last day at Gonzaga is June 1.
John Sklut, Senior Advisor to the President and Liaison for External and Government Affairs
For 18 years, John has served Gonzaga with dedication and wise counsel across several leadership roles, including as Chief of Staff to President McCulloh for more than five years, Assistant General Counsel, Assistant Dean of Students for Gonzaga School of Law, and more recently, as Special Advisor to the President and liaison for external and government relations.
In his work, John has strengthened the University’s relationships with local, state, and national partners, advancing Gonzaga’s Mission through thoughtful engagement in public policy and community collaboration. His leadership has also been instrumental in key initiatives such as the UW-Gonzaga Health Partnership and in supporting the work of the President and Board of Regents.
John is transitioning his work of external and legislative affairs to the newly formed University Relations division in June while also continuing his work in support of the UW-Gonzaga Health Partnership and the Board of Regents.
Borre Ulrichsen, Chief Information Officer
Since 2016, Borre Ulrichsen has led the transformation of Gonzaga’s technology environment with clarity of vision and a strong commitment to service. He has strengthened the University’s digital infrastructure, advanced key initiatives, and encouraged a culture of learning and innovation across our teams. His work has made our systems more responsive to the needs of students, faculty, and staff, and his leadership will have lasting impact.
A few notable initiatives Borre has championed include support for the University’s multi-year ZRM effort, implementation of a streamlined help desk/self-service process and online interface; the 2018 redesign of gonzaga.edu and launch of myGU, as well as this month’s transition to our new website platform; upgrade of the campus Wi-Fi; rollout of digital Zag Card credentials; and development of Ask Isi, Gonzaga’s first AI-powered tech support assistant.
Starting in June, Borre will guide the transition of Information Technology Services to the new Finance and Administration division. He plans to retire by the end of the year.
Chuck and Robin, thank you for your steadfast leadership and generous service to the University. You have helped shape the lives of our students and strengthened this community in ways that will continue to forward our Mission for years to come.
John and Borre, thank you for your willingness to continue serving the University in new ways. Your leadership through these transitions will be instrumental in their success.
I also give my sincere thanks to all who concluded their service to the University this year. I am grateful for the dedication, care, and faithful contribution each of you has offered to our students and our shared Mission.
You are all in our prayers as you embark on the next chapter of your journey. With deepest respect,
Katia Passerini, Ph.D.
President, Gonzaga University