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School Deans and Center Directors

Alison Benders

Executive Director, Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education

Alison Benders

Alison Benders serves as the Vice President of Mission and Ministry and Executive Director of the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education, and is charged with developing and executing a strategic vision for activating the Jesuit, Catholic Tradition and the broader mission of Santa Clara University to the campus community and beyond.

Ed Grier

Dean, Leavey School of Business

Ed Grier

Ed Grier, a veteran global operations executive and business school leader, is the dean of Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business. He previously served as dean of the School of Business at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Don Heider

Executive Director, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

Don Heider

Don Heider is the John Courtney Murray, S.J. University Professor of Social Ethics as well as professor of communication. Previously he was associate provost and dean of the School of Communication at Loyola University in Chicago.

Brigit Helms

Executive Director, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship

Brigit Helms

A 1983 Santa Clara University alumna, Brigit Helms is a veteran leader in global development, financial and economic inclusion, economic policy, and social entrepreneurship.

Michael J. Kaufman

Dean, School of Law

Michael J. Kaufman

Michael J. Kaufman is the dean of Santa Clara University's School of Law. Prior to joining SCU, he served as dean of Loyola University Chicago School of Law and as associate dean for academic affairs.

Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, S.J.

Dean, Jesuit School of Theology

Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, S.J.

An esteemed Jesuit theologian, speaker, and leader, Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, S.J., STL ’98, Hon. ’12, serves as the dean of the Jesuit School of Theology. 

Daniel Press

Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Daniel Press

Versed in bringing together scholars from disparate disciplines, Daniel Press creates innovative interdisciplinary collaborations among the faculty. His experience in both leading and serving positions him to expand upon the vision of the College and to engage faculty and staff in achieving its goals.

Elaine  Scott

Dean, School of Engineering

Elaine Scott

Elaine Scott joined Santa Clara University as dean of the School of Engineering in August 2019. Previously, she was the founding dean of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) at the University of Washington in Bothell.

Sabrina Zirkel

Dean, School of Education and Counseling Psychology

Sabrina Zirkel

Sabrina Zirkel is a well-established scholar who studies race, ethnicity, gender, and class across all sectors of education. Prior to SCU, she served as Associate Dean in the School of Education at Mills College.