Dear Members of the Roosevelt University Community,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I write to share an important update regarding the leadership of our University. At this week's Board of Trustees meeting, President Ali Malekzadeh announced his intention to retire at the conclusion of his contract on June 30, 2027 after twelve years of distinguished service as president of Roosevelt University.
Throughout President Malekzadeh’s tenure, the University has advanced its mission of access, opportunity, and social justice. Initiatives such as the tuition reset and the Roosevelt Pledge strengthened affordability and access, contributing to three consecutive years of enrollment growth. In 2025, the Roosevelt Pledge provided free tuition to 262 Illinois first-year students and helped enroll our largest incoming class in recent years: 844 students, an increase of 133 percent.
The integration of Robert Morris University broadened Roosevelt’s academic offerings, enriched campus diversity, supported our designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution, increased enrollment by 863 students, and welcomed approximately 500 student athletes, positioning the University to pursue NCAA Division II membership.
President Malekzadeh has also championed equity and community engagement. He established the Office of Social Justice and Advocacy, the Women’s Leadership Council, and the Presidential Award for Social Justice, efforts that earned him two Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards for Diversity and Inclusion from the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
His leadership was especially vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Faculty and staff worked tirelessly to transition the University to fully remote teaching and operations while ensuring students received the support they needed. The University also prioritized the health and safety of the RU community by providing free personal protective equipment, implementing distancing procedures for anyone required to be on campus, and establishing on campus testing protocols to monitor and reduce transmission risks.
Roosevelt achieved record philanthropic success under President Malekzadeh’s leadership, securing the largest gift in University history, $25 million, along with more than $154 million in fundraising and grants. The endowment grew from approximately $75 million to $170 million, and major grants supported transformative initiatives such as the McNair Scholars Program, TRIO Student Support Services, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Inclusive Excellence Initiative. This strengthened financial foundation contributed to Fitch Ratings assigning the University a positive outlook, even as the higher education sector overall remains under a negative outlook.
President Malekzadeh also founded the American Dream Reconsidered Conference in 2016, now a signature University event. The conference has welcomed distinguished national voices (including United States Attorney General Eric Holder, United States Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor, political analysts David Axelrod and Bill Kristol, rapper, actor and activist Common, and entrepreneur and philanthropist Peter Thiel) to explore and reimagine the American Dream.
These accomplishments reflect the dedication of the entire Roosevelt community, and President Malekzadeh has played a central role in fostering unity, purpose, and progress. The Board of Trustees is deeply grateful for his leadership, collaboration, and service.
The Board will engage a premier executive search and leadership advisory firm to initiate a national search for Roosevelt University’s next president. This effort will be guided by a search committee appointed by the Board. In the coming weeks, we will share additional information about the search process, including opportunities for participation and feedback from the University community. We remain committed to a thoughtful, inclusive, and comprehensive process that builds on Roosevelt’s strengths and positions the University for continued success.
President Malekzadeh will continue to lead the University over the coming year, advancing key priorities and ensuring a smooth transition. As he shared,
"Serving as president of Roosevelt University has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life. I am confident that Roosevelt is well positioned for continued success."
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you for your vision, steadfast leadership, and unwavering commitment to Roosevelt University. Please join me in congratulating President Ali on his extraordinary leadership and well-deserved retirement.
Sincerely,
J.C. Gonzalez-Mendez, Chair
Roosevelt University Board of Trustees
