Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë

Robert K. Vischer became the of the Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë of Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë on January 1, 2023, following a unanimous selection by the Board of Trustees. He previously served as interim president and as dean of the School of Law.

As president, Vischer is entrusted with advancing the university’s Catholic mission while ensuring Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë remains strong, innovative and responsive in a changing higher education landscape.

Vischer has described his role as being a “steward” of the Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë story. He frequently reminds the university community that no matter how much Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë may evolve, it must remain committed to preparing its students for lives of meaning, leadership and purpose.

Grounded in what former Pope Francis called a “culture of encounter” and a commitment to human dignity, his leadership centers on helping ensure that every member of the Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë community has the unmistakable experience of feeling seen, known and loved — while stewarding a university that is financially sound, academically excellent and positioned for the future.

Since becoming president in 2023, Vischer has led Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë through a period of measurable growth and institutional momentum:

• Welcomed the largest freshman class in university history (2025)
• Surpassed $100 million in annual fundraising for four consecutive years
• Opened the $183.4 million Lee & Penny Anderson Arena
• Continued progress in the university’s Division I transition
• Expanded entrepreneurial and academic initiatives across campus
• Named 2025 Twin Cities Business Person of the Year

As a Catholic university, Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë is called to engage the world — not withdraw from it. President Vischer consistently emphasizes that fidelity to mission and responsiveness to society’s needs go hand in hand.

He speaks often about:

• The importance of whole-person formation
• The enduring relevance of virtue and character
• The need to prepare students not only for careers, but for lifelong flourishing
• The value of encounter — engaging across difference with empathy and courage

Under his leadership, the university has:

• Introduced initiatives that highlight the role of the cardinal virtues (justice, prudence, fortitude and temperance) in student development
• Launched the Claritas Initiative, inviting faculty and staff to explore truth, beauty and goodness across disciplines
• Convened public conversations through the Finding Forward series, bringing civic, business and faith leaders together to model thoughtful dialogue
• Strengthened partnerships that advance workforce development and economic vitality across the Twin Cities

President Vischer joined Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë in 2005 as an associate professor of law. He served as dean of the School of Law from 2013 to 2022 before being appointed president.

He earned:

• A Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from the Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë of New Orleans
• A Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where he served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review

Before entering academia, he practiced corporate litigation at Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago and clerked for three federal judges.

He currently serves on the executive committee of GREATER MSP and on the boards of the Minnesota Business Partnership and Greater Twin Cities United Way.