University of Dayton President Eric F. Spina has announced he will retire in June 2027, after serving 11 years as UD's 19th president and nearly 40 years in higher education.
Spina reflected on his decision in a post to his From the Heart blog, noting that his choice followed "months of reflection, prayer, and conversation" and describing leaving the University he loves as "without a doubt, the hardest thing I have ever done."
"Dr. Spina's successful decade-plus as president of UD has brought transparent leadership, stability, and inspiration to campus and the greater Dayton region," said Deb Tobias, chair of the University of Dayton board of trustees. "He has preserved UD's Marianist commitment to community. He has inspired a philanthropic ethos on campus, in Dayton, and among our 125,000 living alumni. He has modeled to our students that UD is a welcoming higher ed institution dedicated to experiential learning and holistic education for every member of our student body. Eric has prepared the University to meet the future with optimism and determination."
Since becoming president in 2016, Spina has been known as an accessible and student-centered president, regularly engaging with students on campus, attending Flyer athletic events and move-in days, hosting meals with faculty and staff, and participating in UD Student Government Association town halls.
He has been deeply committed to sustaining and stewarding UD's Catholic, Marianist mission and values and connecting to Catholic Social Teaching and the Marianist charism to advance UD as a university for the common good, a phrase he emphasized at his installation.
Key accomplishments
That mission focus has extended into the broader Dayton community, where he helped solidify UD's role as an anchor institution. Signature partnerships and initiatives during his presidency include the The Hub Powered by PNC Bank in downtown Dayton, the establishment with the African-American community of the Greater West Dayton Incubator, the Roger Glass Center for the Arts, and the onMain development with Premier Health, a state of Ohio Innovation Hub with extraordinary promise for the future.
Under Spina's leadership, UD completed the We Soar campaign, the University's first comprehensive campaign in 20 years. The effort exceeded its philanthropic goal by 13%, raising $453 million to expand access and opportunity, set records for philanthropy from alumni and the public, and surpassed goals for volunteer engagement. More than 18,000 people made their first gift to UD during the campaign, and the annual One Day, One Dayton giving day now regularly attracts more than 5,500 gifts. The campaign helped support a reimagined undergraduate experience that provides every student with a holistic advisor and guarantees a meaningful hands-on learning opportunity before graduation.
A hallmark of Spina's tenure has been a strong focus on access and affordability for students from historically underrepresented and lower-income backgrounds. UD has nearly doubled the number of Pell‑eligible students during the past decade and launched initiatives such as the Flyer Promise scholarship program, the UD Sinclair Academy, and the Kessler Scholars program, contributing to a more inclusive and representative campus community. In 2023, the American Talent Initiative and Bloomberg Philanthropies recognized UD as a national "High Flier" for its progress and impact with lower-income students. Spina has also elevated UD's voice nationally and in Ohio through his service on numerous boards and leadership councils.
The University's campus also has seen significant physical advances during his presidency, all aimed at enhancing the student experience, including the renovation of UD Arena, the construction of Adele Center and Hathcock Hall, the Roger Glass Center for the Arts, and the soon‑to‑open health and wellbeing building. In keeping with UD's commitment to sustainability, a power purchase agreement beginning in spring 2026 will secure renewable electricity from a waste‑heat‑to‑power facility to supply 100% of campus electricity needs and reduce the University's carbon footprint by about 71%.
"As a transformational leader deeply committed to our mission, Eric has reshaped UD through a rare blend of vision and humanity," said Darlene Weaver, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. "He redefined UD's strategic identity as a ‘university for the common good,' assembled an exceptional board, and, by prioritizing access and affordability, launched a generation of talented leaders. Because he leads with clarity and courage, Eric has earned the enduring trust of stakeholders from Dayton to the national stage. It is a privilege to work alongside a leader who has made us undeniably better and stronger."
Background
Before coming to Dayton, Spina spent 28 years at Syracuse University as an engineering faculty member, department chair, funded researcher, dean, and nearly nine years as vice chancellor and provost. A native of Buffalo, New York, he is a graduate of Canisius High School, Carnegie Mellon University and Princeton University. At Syracuse, he retired as a trustee professor and vice chancellor and provost emeritus.
Spina has often explained how he knew UD was a special place during his first 90-minute interview.
"Our Catholic, Marianist mission and values are ingrained in the people here, and it is abundantly clear why we are here and why we do what we do," he said. "There is a higher purpose that you can feel at UD every day. Indeed, we don't just talk about getting students jobs, we think about and educate students holistically, work to help them find their passion and purpose, and prepare them to work for the common good."
Next steps
With more than a year remaining in his tenure, Spina has emphasized his focus remains on advancing the University's mission alongside his leadership team, and ensuring a smooth presidential transition. The University of Dayton board of trustees is engaging an executive search firm to support the transition process.