University of Tulsa Names Stacy Leeds President
Stacy Leeds, a nationally respected higher education leader and Cherokee citizen, has been named president of The University of Tulsa. Leeds was selected following a comprehensive national...
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Stacy Leeds, a nationally respected higher education leader and Cherokee citizen, has been named president of The University of Tulsa.
Leeds was selected following a comprehensive national search led by WittKieffer consultants Zach Smith, Executive Partner and Market Leader, Education, and Christine Pendleton, Senior Partner. She is the University’s 22nd president and the first woman to serve in the role on a permanent basis, marking a historic milestone for the institution. 
Formerly dean of the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, Leeds brings more than 25 years of experience as a professor, senior administrator, and academic leader at prominent research institutions. Her previous roles include serving as vice chancellor for economic development at the University of Arkansas, where she led initiatives to expand the university’s innovation, intellectual property, and research enterprise.
An alumna of The University of Tulsa College of Law, Leeds’ appointment represents a homecoming to the institution. She is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership style, financial stewardship, and commitment to accountability and institutional excellence.
In addition to her academic leadership, Leeds has an extensive record of public service, having served as a Supreme Court Justice on the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court and as a commercial arbitrator. Her background includes significant nonprofit and board leadership, reflecting a deep understanding of philanthropy and community engagement.
Wittkieffer’s Zach Smith and Christine Pendleton led this search.
