Marquette's 25th President

About the president

Personal information

Full name: James Kuuipo Choy Ah Yun, Jr.
Age: 59
Family: Spouse: Catherine Puckering; Children: Benjamin (22), Molly (21), Haven (17). Benjamin is a senior at Marquette studying criminology and computer science. Molly is a senior at the University of Southern California as a pre-law student studying law, history and culture. Haven is a high school senior who enjoys performing in choir and participating in musical theatre.
Hometown: Compton, California
Curriculum Vitae

Professional history

Acting President, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Marquette University
Previous positions:

Dean, J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication, Marquette University
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Letters, California State University, Sacramento
Chair, Department of Communication Studies, California State University, Sacramento
Director, Center for Teaching and Learning, California State University, Sacramento
Professor, Department of Communication Studies, California State University, Sacramento

Education

Ph.D. in Communication, Michigan State University, 1996
M.A. in Speech, Kansas State University, 1992
B.A. in Communication Studies, California State University, Sacramento, 1990

Personal trivia

First job: Newspaper carrier for The Sacramento Bee
Favorite hobby: Listening to live music
Favorite book: A Grammar of Motives
Favorite travel destination: Hawaii
Best advice: Be curious, not judgmental.
Favorite quote: “Life's not the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.” – George Strait
Unique talents: I am like a human homing pigeon in that I have an excellent sense of direction and am a great navigator.
Favorite meal: Plate lunch, which is a common multicultural meal in Hawaii

Facts about the presidential search

Hundreds of faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends submitted feedback on the desired qualifications and characteristics of the next Marquette president to help the search committee in its review of candidates and interviews.
Eleven listening sessions were held with Marquette constituents in August and September 2024.
The Presidential Search Committee began with an initial pool of 100-plus individuals who were recommended, nominated, expressed interest, or were targeted as potential candidates.
The Presidential Search Committee’s pool of top candidates included sitting presidents, provosts and deans.

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President's news conference

Presidential Search Committee

Todd Adams, chair of the Board of Trustees; chairman and CEO of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
Dr. Tara Baillargeon, dean, Raynor Library
Hon. Janine Geske, Law ’75, Hon Deg ’98, trustee; retired professor of law and retired justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Nancy Hernandez, Grad ’02, trustee; president, Hispanic Collaborative
Dr. Andrew Kim, associate professor of theology; member of University Academic Senate
Ray Manista, Arts ’87, Law ’90, vice chair of the Board of Trustees; executive vice president – chief legal and public affairs officer, Northwestern Mutual
Rev. Pat McGrath, S.J., trustee; pastor, Old St. Patrick’s Parish
Nicole Michaels, Bus Ad ’93, trustee; business and technology transformation strategist; insurance industry expert
Micky Minhas, Eng ’89, trustee; senior vice president, Marconi Group
Jim Ryan, Arts ’89, trustee; president and CEO, Flexera
Peggy Troy, Nurs ’74, trustee emerita; president and chief executive officer, Children’s Wisconsin

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,700 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.