Christopher Callahan

President at University of the Pacific

Christopher Callahan is a seasoned university executive and the 26th president of the University of the Pacific, a position he assumed on July 1, 2020.

Background and Education

Callahan holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Boston University, a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and completed the Harvard Seminar for New Presidents at Harvard's Graduate School of Education.3 4

Career

Before becoming the president of the University of the Pacific, Callahan had a distinguished career in higher education and journalism:

Founding Dean and Professor, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University (ASU): He served in this role from 2005 to 2020, transforming the school into one of the nation's top journalism programs. During his tenure, he increased student enrollment, retention, and diversity, and raised over $100 million through philanthropy and partnerships. He also established several innovative programs, including the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism and the Knight-Cronkite Local TV News Innovation Initiative.1 3 4
CEO of Arizona PBS: From 2014 to 2020, Callahan was the CEO of Arizona PBS, one of the largest public television stations in the nation. He integrated the station's operations with ASU, increased revenue, and launched several new programs.1 3
Vice Provost of ASU's Downtown Phoenix Campus: From 2011 to 2020, he was the lead university executive for the Downtown Phoenix Campus, overseeing a campus with nearly 13,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff.1 3
Associate Dean at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism: Prior to his roles at ASU, Callahan served as the associate dean from 1998 to 2005 and held various other positions at the University of Maryland, including director of the Capital News Service.3

Achievements

Callahan is known for his innovative approach to education, particularly his emphasis on experiential learning. At the Cronkite School, he implemented a "news teaching hospital" model, which involves students in immersive, experience-based learning that serves communities. He also forged significant partnerships with major corporations and nonprofits, which helped in creating new programs and opportunities for students.1 3

Current Role at University of the Pacific

As the president of the University of the Pacific, Callahan leads a nationally ranked comprehensive university with campuses in Stockton, Sacramento, and San Francisco. The university offers over 100 degree programs and is known for its personalized learning environment and wide array of experiential learning opportunities.3 4 6

You can follow him on social media using his LinkedIn username @pacificprezcallahan.2 5