Ann Marie Klotz, Ph.D., Named Fifth President in Pacifica鈥檚 50-Year History听
As 51社区 celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Institute proudly announces the appointment of Dr.鈥疉nn Marie Klotz as its fifth President.听
A nationally respected higher education leader, scholar, strategist, and advocate for transformational education, Dr.鈥疜lotz brings more than two decades of leadership experience in enrollment management, student success, fundraising, organizational transformation, and strategic planning. Throughout her career, she has听demonstrated听a deep commitment to expanding access to education, strengthening mission-driven institutions, and empowering students and communities to lead lives of meaning, purpose, and impact.听
Dr.鈥疜lotz鈥檚 appointment comes at a pivotal moment in Pacifica鈥檚 evolution as the Institute expands access to its distinctive educational mission through innovative online and hybrid learning models and advances the application of depth psychology to the pressing cultural, social, ecological, and leadership challenges of the 21st century. Her experience and mission-centered leadership听aligns听closely with Pacifica鈥檚 vision for its next fifty years.听
鈥�Pacifica has always been a place听where听scholarship听and听soul听meet in meaningful ways. As we welcome Dr.鈥疜lotz, the Board is excited for a future that honors our extraordinary history while embracing new opportunities for expanded impact. We are confident this next chapter will continue to serve students and the broader community with depth,听integrity听and purpose,鈥� said Nancy听Furlotti, Board Chair.听
Dr.鈥疜lotz most recently served as Vice President for Development, Enrollment, and Student Success at听Naropa听University, where she provided executive leadership for recruitment, retention, fundraising, and student success initiatives. During her tenure, the university increased enrollment by 30 percent over three years, significantly improved student retention, doubled annual fundraising totals from $2 million to $4 million, and successfully launched a university-wide 50th Anniversary campaign.听
Through her senior leader roles at The New School, Radford University, and the New York Institute of Technology, Dr.鈥疜lotz developed extensive听expertise听in crisis management, global campus operations, and institutional growth across both public and private universities.听听
鈥�Education has the power not only to transform careers, but also to improve and enhance our communities,鈥� said Dr.鈥疜lotz. 鈥�Pacifica鈥檚 commitment to depth psychology, creativity, and human development speaks to what the world most needs right now. I am honored to join this extraordinary community and look forward to helping steward Pacifica鈥檚 next chapter with humility, courage, and care.鈥�听
A first-generation college student originally from Detroit, Michigan, Dr.鈥疜lotz earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree from Grand Valley State University, master鈥檚 degrees from Michigan State University and DePaul University, and a Ph.D.鈥痠n Curriculum Studies and Educational Leadership from DePaul University. Her doctoral research focused on the leadership trajectories and leadership styles of female university presidents.听
Dr.鈥疶hyonne听Gordon, Interim President, reflected on the transition听saying,听鈥�Leadership is never simply about preserving an institution听but,听preparing it for its next chapter. I am proud of the work we have done in the interim to strengthen Pacifica鈥檚 foundation听and听am confident that under Dr.鈥疜lotz鈥檚 leadership, Pacifica will continue to evolve with courage,听vision听and deep care for the community it serves.鈥�听
Dr.鈥疜lotz will be inaugurated in January 2027 as part of 51社区鈥檚 year-long 50th Anniversary听celebration, honoring five decades of scholarship, creativity, and transformative education while marking the beginning of a new chapter of innovation, global engagement, and expanded impact for the Institute鈥檚 next fifty years.听
Details about an upcoming听Meet the President Town Hall听for the entire Pacifica community听will be announced soon.听
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Ann Marie Klotz, Ph.D., is a veteran higher education leader with more than twenty years of experience helping students, institutions, and communities thrive. Her work focuses听on expanding educational听opportunity, strengthening organizational effectiveness, and creating pathways for individuals to build lives of meaning, purpose, and impact.听
Dr.鈥疜lotz is recognized for her听expertise听in leadership development, enrollment management, organizational听transformation听and team development.听In听particular, her听ability to unite stakeholders around shared听goals,听cultivates听effective teams.听
A first-generation college student, Dr.鈥疜lotz earned her B.A. from Grand Valley State University;听M.A.鈥痙egrees from Michigan State University and DePaul University;听and听received her听Ph.D.鈥痠n Curriculum Studies and Educational Leadership from DePaul University. Her听doctoral research examined听the career trajectories and leadership styles of female university presidents.听
Her professional experience includes senior leadership roles at听Naropa听University, The New School, Radford University, and the New York Institute of Technology.听
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Dr.鈥疜lotz has lived and worked in communities across the United States and brings a lifelong commitment to educational access, leadership development, and student success. Her professional and research interests include women鈥檚 career development, professional staff recruitment, online community building, and organizational capacity-building. She is also an active supporter of the arts and lifelong wellness initiatives.听
