Marymount University’s Board of Trustees has voted to extend the contract of President Irma Becerra through June 30, 2028, citing the University’s historic progress under her leadership and a shared commitment to continued growth in the years ahead.
President Becerra, who became Marymount’s seventh president in 2018, has overseen a period of dynamic transformation for the University marked by newfound national recognition, record enrollment, the launch of innovative academic programs and strategic modernization across infrastructure and operations.
“President Becerra has led Marymount through an exceptional chapter of significant progress and achievement, despite the ongoing challenges facing institutions of higher learning,” said Peter Converse, Chair of Marymount University’s Board of Trustees. “Her bold vision and strong leadership have elevated the University to new levels of academic excellence, institutional visibility and student success. This contract extension is indicative of the Board’s confidence in her continued leadership and her ability to guide Marymount to even greater heights.”
With President Becerra at the helm, Marymount earned its first-ever national ranking from U.S. News & World Report and is now positioned among the top 300 universities in the country. This year, the University was also recognized by Carnegie as both a Research College & University (RCU) and an Opportunity College & University (OCU), one of only 33 institutions nationwide to hold both designations.
In recent years, Marymount has achieved record-high enrollment, welcoming its largest-ever freshmen classes for three consecutive years. The University is projected to surpass the high-water mark this fall. The institution has also developed new undergraduate and graduate academic offerings aligned with growing industries and secured millions in external funding to expand its research portfolio and student support.
A focus on institutional branding and outreach has strengthened Marymount’s reputation regionally and nationally, while its designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) has further solidified the University as a leader in higher education access and inclusion.
“I am deeply honored by the trust the Board of Trustees has placed in me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving this incredible community,” President Becerra said. “When I joined Marymount in 2018, I saw the potential to build something special. Together, we have done just that. Our momentum is real, and we are working our way toward a bright future.”
Other major achievements of her presidency include:
- A modernized academic portfolio that includes new undergraduate degrees in high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, mechanical engineering and neuroscience, and graduate offerings in business intelligence, education, speech-language pathology and more.
- Record fundraising, with Marymount surpassing $7.5 million in gifts during the 2024 fiscal year alone.
- Technology and facilities upgrades, including the implementation of Workday, the renovation of residence halls and learning spaces and the expansion of dining services on campus.
- Expanded athletics and co-curricular offerings with new NCAA Division III teams and club sports, now serving nearly 500 student-athletes.
- Diversification of revenue through strategic partnerships, commercial leasing at the University’s Ballston Center, the creation of extended-stay housing and the launch of new University assets such as the Early Learning Academy.
- Leadership within Virginia higher education, including President Becerra’s service as Board Vice Chair for the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, Vice Chair of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges and Board of Trustees member for the Science Museum of Virginia.
With the University celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2025, President Becerra has positioned Marymount for continued growth in academic programs, student services and campus infrastructure.
“Marymount’s story is one of transformation,” President Becerra added. “In the face of national challenges in higher education, we’ve doubled down on innovation, access and student success. I’m proud of what we’ve built, and I look forward to continuing this important work together as a University community.”
Learn more about President Becerra’s background and accomplishments.
