MILWAUKEE — Dr. Debbie Tahmassebi (“tah-MAHS-a-bee”), provost at Westminster University, has been named the next provost at Marquette University, President Kimo Ah Yun announced today. The long-time Jesuit higher education leader, who was identified through a rigorous national search, will begin in the role March 1, 2026. Acting Provost Sarah Feldner will return to her role as dean of the Diederich College of Communication at that time.
An organic chemist, Tahmassebi has spent much of her 30-year career in Catholic and Jesuit higher education. Prior to being named provost at Westminster University in 2019, she served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Santa Clara University for four years; previously, she served on the chemistry faculty at the University of San Diego from 1996-2015. As part of her Jesuit formation, Tahmassebi participated in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities’ Ignatian Colleagues Program, among other AJCU sponsored conferences and retreats.
“Throughout her career, Dr. Tahmassebi has demonstrated strong, innovative leadership grounded in a deep commitment to the educational and faith-based missions at the institutions she has served. As both a highly respected provost and dean, she has proven herself to be a collaborative advocate for improving the faculty experience, advancing research and promoting student success — she could not be a better fit to serve as Marquette’s provost,” President Ah Yun said. “I had the unique and serendipitous privilege of participating alongside Dr. Tahmassebi as part of the AJCU’s Ignatian Colleagues Program, Cohort 10, and I can say unequivocally that she has a keen understanding of and appreciation for the Ignatian tradition and all that makes Jesuit higher education special.”
President Ah Yun thanked Dr. Sarah Feldner for serving as acting provost since November 2024, offering continuity during a critical time for higher education. “I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Feldner for her selfless service to Marquette as acting provost,” President Ah Yun said. “She stepped into the role with passion for our mission and a forward-focused approach to leading change amid the challenges we face in higher education. I look forward to continuing our work together as she steps back into her role as dean.”
“I’d also like to thank Dr. SuJean Choi for leading the search committee and all on the committee for their service and commitment to the university,” President Ah Yun added.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Marquette University community. Marquette’s commitment to the search for knowledge through curiosity, research and innovation creates a special environment in which to learn and grow. I look forward to engaging in that pursuit through my role and hope to maintain and enhance the academic and student experience at Marquette University,” Tahmasebi said.
As provost at Westminster, Tahmassebi served as a member of the President’s Cabinet and as cabinet lead for the Academic and Student Experience Committee of the Board of Trustees. She has provided overall academic leadership, administrative control and coordination for all academic affairs at the independent private college in Utah with approximately 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students. Her areas of oversight included the College of Arts and Sciences (which houses the School of Education), the Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business, the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and the Honors College, as well as graduate and professional education, Global Learning, McNair Scholars Program, Katherine W. Dumke Center for Civic Engagement, Retention and Student Success, Academic Advising, Disability Services, Environmental Center, Institutional Research Planning and Effectiveness, Registrar, Research and Sponsored Projects, Gore Giovale Center for Innovative Leadership, and Career Services.
Among her accomplishments as provost, Tahmassebi introduced a three-year accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree; helped lead the student life cycle group that works to identify barriers and solutions to the successful achievement of strategic enrollment goals and student success; collaborated with faculty on an update to the university’s core curriculum; partnered with the chief human resources officer to address faculty and staff compensation philosophy and structures; worked with faculty on extensive shared governance improvements; and led a partnership with an external agency to support an increase in external grant funding. She is a long-serving Board member for a non-profit, Curated Pathways to Innovation, that seeks opportunities for women and underrepresented students of color to pursue STEM careers.
While dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Santa Clara, Tahmassebi expanded the college’s Center for Arts and Humanities, promoted the digital humanities and initiated the artist-in-residence program. She also launched a state-of-the-art lab for virtual and augmented reality to serve as a pedagogical and creative resource for disciplines across the college. Tahmassebi promoted research activity and partnerships in the college, including the provision of funded opportunities for undergraduate research and creative endeavors. She was likewise committed to enhancing diversity, inclusion and equity in the college, expanding an Inclusive Excellence Post-Doc program, and hiring an extraordinary set of talented underrepresented faculty members.
Tahmassebi’s achievements include a 2012 executive fellowship awarded by the American Council on Education and service awards by the San Diego section of the American Chemical Society, the University of San Diego Parents Association Board and the San Diego Science Alliance Volunteer Partnership for advancing K–12 science education. She has also received more than $1 million in funding for her DNA research and related programs.
Prior to joining Santa Clara, Tahmassebi served as associate dean of program development in the College of Arts and Sciences, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and special assistant to the provost at the University of San Diego.
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 11,100 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.
