The William Peace University Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to appoint Jennifer E. Walsh as Peace’s 13th president, effective June 1, 2026. Walsh brings more than 25 years of proven academic and strategic leadership experience to her new position.
Board of Trustees Chair Rob Wood said the Board immediately recognized that Walsh was uniquely prepared to take on the role of president at Peace.
“Dr. Walsh has spent her career doing exactly what small private universities need most — building programs that attract and support students, forging strategic partnerships that extend institutional reach, and delivering sustainable results,” said Wood. “She understands the distinct advantages Peace offers, and she has the experience to help us build on them.”
Walsh said she appreciates Peace’s emphasis on both innovation and tradition.
“What drew me to William Peace University, first and foremost, was the people — a community that is warm, highly relational, and deeply proud of Peace’s legacy in North Carolina,” said Walsh. “From my earliest conversations, I felt a spirit that is both welcoming and forward-thinking, and I was immediately drawn to the way Peace combines tradition with momentum.”
Bobbie Cole, assistant vice president for student life and member of the presidential search committee, said she believes Walsh’s distinct leadership qualities will allow her to build on the University’s upward trajectory.
“She brings an ability to inspire meaningful change while staying grounded in what is realistic and sustainable, and she clearly understands the importance of being intentional when building momentum and success for the campus communities she serves,” said Cole.
Walsh said she is excited to help Peace increase its impact while preserving the culture that has supported so many students.
“Peace is well positioned for what comes next, with an immersive learning model, a beautiful downtown Raleigh campus, and proximity to the vibrant Research Triangle,” she said. “I am energized by the aspiration to transform Peace from Raleigh’s best-kept secret into the Triangle’s essential talent partner — so every student graduates ready for meaningful work and a meaningful life.”
Walsh was identified through a robust national search conducted by Academic Search, a firm that specializes in higher education executive searches. Wood noted that her professional background supports Peace’s emphasis on career preparation and immersive learning, as well as its focus on improving accessibility and affordability in higher education.
“Our goal is to expand access to a Peace education to more students in the Triangle, across North Carolina, and beyond — while preserving what makes this university so distinctive,” said Wood. “Peace is unapologetically high-touch, and that personal experience creates a lasting connection to the University because it is rooted in the same academic excellence, career readiness, and sense of community that have defined Peace for generations.”
Walsh said she feels a sense of connection with Peace’s history, including the many years as a women’s college.
“My own family’s story was transformed by the opportunity my maternal grandmother had to attend a women’s college in Texas — an opportunity that was rare in the early 1900s — and the ripple effects of that education still shape our family today,” said Walsh. “That is why Peace’s founding legacy resonates so strongly with me; it represents confidence, opportunity, and the power of education to expand what is possible.”
A Relational Leader
According to Wood, Walsh’s proven ability to build strong partnerships with businesses and community leaders will be key to helping the University maximize its central location in Raleigh and the Triangle.
“Board members are eager to facilitate the conversations and collaborations that will lead to more opportunities for our students and a deeper relationship with our community.”
Cole observed that Walsh’s strength in relationship building will be a boon for the student experience.
“Her innovative thinking and vision for growth will open new possibilities for how Peace connects with Raleigh, the RTP region, and the industries shaping North Carolina’s future,” she said. “I’m especially excited about what this will mean for our students and the continued impact we can make in the community.”
Walsh said she’s looking forward to connecting with Peace alumni and learning about their experiences.
“I want to hear their stories: what Peace made possible for them, the faculty and staff who mentored them, and the traditions that still feel essential,” said Walsh. “Those stories will help us preserve and celebrate Peace’s identity with authenticity — not as nostalgia, but as living heritage that still has power today.”
Board of Trustees Vice Chair Sarah Gaskill ’02 is excited about the future of Peace under Walsh’s leadership.
“As someone who experienced Peace as a student, it was important to me that our next president truly understood the power of the close-knit environment that allows students to connect — to faculty, administration, and each other. Dr. Walsh recognized that spirit right away and spoke thoughtfully about building on that foundation while helping the University continue to grow and evolve.”
Wood said the Board is confident that Walsh is the right person at the right time.
“The Board is proud to welcome a leader of Dr. Walsh’s caliber at such a pivotal moment for William Peace University,” said Wood. “She has a sincere appreciation for the history of this institution and a bold vision for where it goes next. That combination is exactly what Peace needs.”
About Jennifer E. Walsh
Walsh previously served as Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief Strategy Officer at Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU), the largest private, non-profit institution in Hawai‘i. At HPU, Walsh delivered significant growth by strengthening access and affordability, modernizing academic programs to emphasize career-relevant skills, and accelerating strategic industry partnerships. Her leadership resulted in the launch of thirty new degree programs in high-demand fields, fueling significant increases in undergraduate and graduate enrollment.
She holds an M.A. in politics and a Ph.D. in political science from Claremont Graduate University and a B.A. in political science from the University of California, Riverside. Walsh’s scholarly work includes authoring Three Strikes Laws (Greenwood Press, 2007) and publishing peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on higher education, criminal justice policy, constitutional law, political philosophy, and American politics.
About William Peace University
Founded in 1857, William Peace University is the oldest institution of higher education in Raleigh, North Carolina, serving close to 800 students in 30+ undergraduate and 10 professional online programs. Peace’s educational approach is applied, adaptive, and nimble — with career preparation built in from start to finish. An immersive curriculum and innovative teaching methods ensure students graduate career ready and prepared to thrive in an ever-changing workforce.
