Dr. D.J. Washington officially named Union’s 20th president

The Board of Trustees for Union Commonwealth University met Friday, December 20, 2024 and named interim president Dr. D.J. Washington officially as Union’s 20th president effective January 1, 2025, coming about 10 months after he was announced as interim president, and about six months since taking the reins in June.
Washington is a 2003 graduate of Union, formerly Union College, and prior to being named interim president served his alma mater on its Board of Trustees. The Cedar Hill, Tenn. Native came to Union to play basketball, and since graduating has remained in various roles in higher education, most recently at the University of Notre Dame.
Washington was the first person in his family to attend college and made history as Union’s first Black Student Government Association President, and now as its first Black President. In a release earlier this year, Washington was quoted saying, “When I talk to the students, they see me as one of them,” as he identified with being a first-generation college student.
During his months back on Union’s campus, Washington has made it a point to become involved in not only academic life at Union, but also to be a visible member of the community.
An official statement regarding his official appointment as President was released on Friday afternoon:
Union Commonwealth University (UCU) is pleased to announce that Dr. DJ Washington has been appointed as the institution’s 20th president, effective January 1, 2025. The decision was made by the Board of Trustees during a special meeting on Friday, December 20, 2024.
Dr. Washington, a 2003 alumnus of Union, has served as Interim President since June 1, 2024. In February, the Board selected Dr. Washington to lead UCU on an interim basis. Since then, he has guided the institution with visionary leadership, fostering a renewed sense of energy and purpose across campus.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be named the 20th president of Union Commonwealth University,” said Dr. Washington. “This institution holds a special place in my heart, and it is a privilege to serve the Union community as we work together to build on our legacy and forge a path of continued growth and innovation. I am grateful to the Board, our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners for their trust and support.”
Board Chair Mike Goss ’80 praised Dr. Washington’s contributions and the overwhelming support he has received from the university community. “Dr. Washington has proven to be an exceptional leader during his time as interim president, demonstrating a deep commitment to Union’s mission and values,” said Goss. “Over the last six months, community leaders, faculty, staff, students and alumni expressed strong support for Dr. Washington to our board members. We are confident that he is the right person to lead UCU into its next chapter of excellence.”
Before taking office, Dr. Washington was the Director of Employer and Regional Engagement at the University of Notre Dame, while also serving his alma mater on the Board of Trustees since 2019. His extensive experience in higher education, coupled with his personal connection to Union, uniquely positions him to guide the university toward a bright and promising future.
Details about Dr. Washington’s official inauguration and additional updates regarding his presidency will be shared in the coming weeks.