The Student News Site of St. Edward's University

Hilltop Views
The Student News Site of St. Edward's University

Hilltop Views
The Student News Site of St. Edward's University

Hilltop Views

St. Edward’s University names Matthew Shank as interim president

Dalia Zamora, Managing Editor • May 14, 2026
Dalia Zamora / Hilltop Views

The St. Edward’s University Board of Trustees announced yesterday the appointment of Matthew Shank as the university’s interim president. Shank is set to begin a transition period on June 1 and will officially assume the role on July 1. President Montserrat “Montse” Fuentes is stepping down on June 30 after leading the school for five years.

Courtesy of St. Edward’s University

The announcement, shared in a letter from Board Chair Linus Akanoh, Jr., follows a search process that sought a leader capable of navigating the “profound change” currently facing the higher education landscape.

Shank arrives at St. Edward’s with an extensive background in academic administration. He previously served for seven years as the president of Marymount University in Virginia and most recently held the presidency of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges. His resume also includes serving as the dean of the School of Business Administration at the University of Dayton, as well as various faculty and administrative positions at Northern Kentucky University.

“The Board is confident that Dr. Shank can provide the clarity, stability and forward momentum our institution needs,” Akanoh stated in the email.

According to university leadership, Shank’s selection was bolstered by positive feedback from shared governance groups across the campus. Leaders involved in the interview process reportedly praised his collaborative leadership style and his commitment to mission-centered stewardship.

A key priority for the interim presidency will be maintaining the university’s distinctive Holy Cross mission and liberal arts identity. Shank is expected to focus on institutional stability while the university prepares for a long-term transition.

While Shank will lead the university for the immediate future, the Board of Trustees has already outlined a timeline for the permanent succession. The university plans to officially launch a nationwide search for a permanent president in the spring of 2027.

The university community will have several opportunities to meet Shank this summer, as the administration plans to host both formal and informal events to facilitate his introduction to the campus.

“We are excited about his leadership in the period ahead,” Akanoh said. “Dr. Shank has a deep respect for our mission and for the people who bring it to life each day.”

Tags:
More to Discover
More in News
A new transit option has arrived on St. Edward’s with CapMetro’s BikeShare system that features a 23 dock station.
St. Edward’s partners with CapMetro for new eco-friendly transit option
The bees used in the St. Edward's University Bee Lab under Matthew Steffenson. The lab focuses on studying Colony Collapse Disorder, an environmental phenomenon when bees in a healthy colony disappear. The reasons behind it are still a mystery and widely discussed in scientific communities, but Steffenson brings in students over the summer to study the potential reasons for it.
'They are essential to nearly every ecosystem on Earth': Pollinator conservation thrives at both local, national levels
A living witness to nearly 300 years of campus history, Sorin Oak provides shade and sanctuary for St. Edward’s University students during the “Rooting of the Ring” ceremony. Having survived a fire, tornadoes and extreme freezes, the oak remains a central touchstone for student life and university tradition.
The 260-year resilience of Sorin Oak is the anchor of the hilltop
From left to right, Wild Basin’s founding seven: Margaret Hessin, Lucille Stegman, Flora “Esther” McCormick, Janet Poage, Flo Macklin, Martha Hudson and Willa Mae Hardesty at the Early Access Trail Opening in 1995. The women who blazed the trail before the trail was even open.
Wild Basin celebrates 50 years of community, conservation, connection
St. Edward’s Board of Trustees announces final candidates for interim president
St. Edward’s Board of Trustees announces final candidates for interim president
Bella Rodriguez (left), Emily Hernandez-Corona and Hadley Strickland, interns at Get Fertilizer Wiser, volunteering at the Austin Parks Foundation’s “It’s My Park Day” on March 7. They presented their cause and worked firsthand on invasive plant removal, native plantings and park cleanup, showing their dedication to the community and the environment.
Get Fertilizer Wiser: Civics Lab students lead community effort to promote responsible fertilizer use
More in News / Campus News
Students can now see additional security vehicles, marked accordingly, patrolling campus throughout the day. The security officers wear fluorescent vests and are primarily responsible for smaller routine checks around campus.
Increased security on campus aims to ease community concerns with introduction of tiered model
President Fuentes
President Fuentes announces she will not return to St. Edward’s in fall
St. Edward’s pioneers environmental conservation method in Central Texas, plants first tiny forest of the area on campus
St. Edward’s pioneers environmental conservation method in Central Texas, plants first tiny forest of the area on campus
The Grab and Goat, convenience-style store located below the St. André Apartments, has recently remodeled its interior and changed its hours. Starting this semester, it will no longer be open on weekends.
Topper Eats closes St. André’s Grab and Goat on weekends due to budget, traffic issues
A group of four faculty and staff members started the the Climate Resilience Living Laboratory at St. Edward's University to find ways to mitigate climate change by turning the campus into a living laboratory to find real-world, scalable solutions. They are (left) Jim Morris, Steven Fletcher, Amy Concilio and Roy Johnson.
Cli-Res Living Lab demonstrates college campuses can mitigate climate change, help urban tree canopy through interdisciplinary collaboration
Shelves at The Huddle reflect reduced inventory available through the Central Texas Food Bank, which lost over $5 million in funding earlier this year.
St. Edward’s food pantry navigates, funding cuts, SNAP benefit freeze and government shutdown
About the Contributor
Dalia Zamora
Dalia Zamora, Managing Editor
Dalia Zamora is a junior majoring in environmental science and policy and minoring in environmental biology and climate change. She is from a small town on the outskirts of Houston called Waller, where she returns each semester to be a UIL journalism judge at invitationals. This is her third year working for Hilltop Views and first semester as managing editor. Previously, she worked as a copy editor and wrote a couple stories. Dalia is also an Ecology and Data Science scholar and ambassador, where she serves as a near-peer mentor. She is usually around campus, and you can find her in the Hilltop Views office or exploring and interning for the food forest. She is excited to continue to bring her interdisciplinary knowledge into the newsroom and hopes to help bridge the gap between science and storytelling.