The 33rd President of Fordham University

Office of the President

The Inauguration of Tania Tetlow

On Oct. 14, 2022, Tania Tetlow was formally inaugurated as Fordham’s 33rd president, making history as the first layperson and first woman to lead the University.

President Tetlow in the News

Meritocracy, Opportunity, and Making a Difference

Meritocracy, Opportunity, and Making a Difference

Volt Magazine sat down recently with President Tania Tetlow to discuss meritocracy in the American education system and the importance of a well-rounded education in developing opportunity. President Tetlow served as a law professor and an assistant U.S. attorney before leading Loyola University New Orleans, and now Fordham University. When asked by Volt about her professional …

President Tetlow Reflects on SCOTUS Decision, Jesuit Mission

President Tetlow Reflects on SCOTUS Decision, Jesuit Mission

The U.S. Supreme Court effectively ended the use of race-conscious college admissions in June, and now U.S. Jesuit institutions are looking for new ways to advance their mission and champion diversity. Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education interviewed three presidents of Jesuit institutions—each of them legal scholars—to discuss the decision and how to move forward in …

Opening Day at Fordham University

Opening Day at Fordham University

WPIX 11 was on hand to capture Opening Day 2023 on both Fordham campuses and to get President Tania Tetlow’s advice for new students and their parents:  “For students, it’s just to realize that pretty soon they won’t remember not feeling at home here. … For parents, it’s to let them go, as painful as …

Catholic universities say the end of affirmative action threatens their values and religious liberty

Catholic universities say the end of affirmative action threatens their values and religious liberty

The head of Fordham University said in a letter to the campus community, as “a university president—and a law professor who focused on the constitutional guarantee of equal protection—I am both disappointed and determined to find a path forward.” Writing that the school had been “preparing for this moment all year,” Fordham President Tania Tetlow …

Catholic LGBTQ conference talks controversies, but focuses on affirmation, love

Catholic LGBTQ conference talks controversies, but focuses on affirmation, love

Tania Tetlow, Fordham’s president, set the tenor for the Outreach conference with a simple but meaningful opening line. “I am here to tell you that you are loved, bathed in the overwhelming love and acceptance of God,” she said at the beginning of her June 16 keynote address. Read the full National Catholic Reporter article …

WCS Wild Audio: Earth Day Inspiration From Pope Francis On How To Frame Our Future

WCS Wild Audio: Earth Day Inspiration From Pope Francis On How To Frame Our Future

“The point of free will is we make our messes and we clean them up,” said Fordham President Tania Tetlow. “That is what we are charged with doing and it’s just a very proud part of our identity as a Jesuit Catholic institution.”  Partnering with the Wildlife Conservation Society, Fordham has embraced its Framing Our …

To Speak or Not to Speak?

To Speak or Not to Speak?

As Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida state legislature have raced to re-shape higher education in the state with bills restricting DEI efforts, limiting tenure protections, and banning the teaching of controversial subjects, the silence from Florida’s public college leaders has been deafening. None have spoken out against what experts see as serious violations of …

Weekly Wisdom interview with Fordham University President Tania Tetlow

Weekly Wisdom interview with Fordham University President Tania Tetlow

“My driving sense of purpose came from growing up in a family full of Jesuit priests. … The way I was raised is that whatever gifts you have are not for you, they are to matter to the world,” said Fordham University President Tania Tetlow.  Click here to watch the full Weekly Wisdom interview by …

2023 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade

2023 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade

“In 1841 Archbishop Hughes founded Fordham for all the Irish Catholic immigrants coming off the boat who needed opportunity, and so this is really our heritage,” said Fordham President Tania Tetlow, who marched in the parade with alumni, students, staff, and faculty. Click here to see the interview on NBC 4 starting at the 7:36 …

Meet 21 Women Leading Ignatian Ministries

Meet 21 Women Leading Ignatian Ministries

Jesuits 03-14-2023 “Welcoming women (and their half of the talent pool) into leadership can’t be passive, a matter of mere politeness,” says Tania Tetlow, president of Fordham University. “It requires learning about the range of obstacles still facing women — from the grueling experience of being constantly underestimated, to the shocking level of violence in …

The 2023 Higher Education Power 100: New York’s most influential college and university leaders

The 2023 Higher Education Power 100: New York’s most influential college and university leaders

City & State New York 03-13-2023 Tania Tetlow, President, Fordham University. Taking the mantle from the Rev. Joseph McShane last summer, Tania Tetlow is now the first woman and layperson to become president of Fordham University. Click here to read the full article.