History Made: UST Welcomes First Woman President

University of St. Thomas is pleased to announce that Dr. Sinda K. Vanderpool has been named the institution's 10th president. Dr. Vanderpool will make history as the first woman to lead UST in its 77-year existence. She brings to UST a reputation as a collaborative leader who focuses on people.

"University of St. Thomas is a place where intellect, faith and human dignity are all held in equal esteem, guided by a mission that resonates deeply with my own calling in Catholic higher education," said Dr. Vanderpool. "It is a privilege to lead an institution that not only pursues academic excellence, but also forms students in virtue, leadership and service. I am honored to help steward UST's next chapter of growth and impact."

Most recently, Dr. Vanderpool served as President and Vice Chancellor of St. Mary's University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada - a role she has held since 2022. While there, she increased enrollment, nearly doubled the endowment and emphasized student success. Moving to Houston will be a homecoming for Dr. Vanderpool, who graduated from Lamar High school, just a few miles from UST. Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, Archbishop Emeritus of Vancouver and member of UST's Board of Directors, is enthusiastic to witness first-hand Dr. Vanderpool's distinguished scholarship, track record of administrative excellence, passion for student success, and deep Texas roots.

"Dr. Vanderpool is uniquely qualified to lead UST," said Archbishop J. Michael Miller on behalf of UST's Board of Directors. "Alongside her impressive academic and professional credentials, she has a strong track record of launching initiatives that support student success. Her accomplishments deeply reflect the Basilian values that shape our faith and mission at UST. As both a spiritual and intellectual leader, we are confident in her commitment to serve our community."

Dr. Vanderpool began her career in higher education at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she spent 18 years serving in multiple leadership roles and ultimately becoming Associate Vice Provost for Student Success. In that time, she built a nationally recognized model of wraparound support for first-generation, low-income, veteran, and underrepresented students, most of which did not exist before her arrival. Her focus wasn't just on access, but on building cultures of belonging, persistence, and philanthropy. She also helped raise significant federal and private funding and established endowments to support food-insecure and first-generation students in perpetuity

She earned her doctorate in French Literature from Princeton University and a bachelor's degree in French from Davidson College in North Carolina with high honors, Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude. Her scholarly pursuits led her to delve deeply into the literature from Catholic saints and mystics, which contributed to her eventual conversion to the Catholic faith, as well as her expertise in the liberal arts and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.

Dr. Vanderpool succeeds Fr. Dempsey Rosales-Acosta, who has served as interim president of UST with steady, heartfelt leadership since December 2024.

"It has been a great honor to serve as President of the University of St. Thomas," Fr. Dempsey said. "This university is a shining example of the values of our Basilian founding fathers: goodness, discipline, and knowledge. While it is always difficult to conclude a chapter of service, I do so with peace and gratitude, knowing our students and faculty are in excellent hands with Dr. Vanderpool. It is with excitement and high expectations that I look to the future."

Dr. Vanderpool joins UST after an intensive national and international search led by Bob Corrigan, outgoing Chairman of the UST Board of Directors, as well as extensive engagement with the Basilian Fathers, faculty, alumni, and friends of UST.

University of St. Thomas is excited to welcome Dr. Vanderpool back home to Houston and celebrate this history-making moment for this vibrant, Catholic community.