The Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area is pleased to announce that Dr. Irma Becerra, President of Marymount University, has been appointed as the Chair of the Consortium’s Board for the period of 2025-2026.
“I am truly honored to assume the role of Chair for the Consortium’s Board of Trustees,” Dr. Becerra said. “Our region is home to some of the world’s most respected colleges and universities. Together, we have a unique opportunity to lead with vision, tackle complex challenges, and strengthen opportunities for the students and communities we serve. I look forward to building on the Consortium’s strong foundation and working alongside my fellow presidents to advance our collective mission.”
Since arriving at Marymount in 2018, Dr. Becerra has guided the University through transformative growth, from expanding academic programs and student services to achieving recognition as Virginia’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution. A Cuban-born American engineer and the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Florida International University, she has launched innovative programs and positioned Marymount as a leader in student opportunity and success.
Under her leadership, Marymount has earned its highest-ever national ranking in U.S. News & World Report and was one of only 33 universities nationwide recognized by Carnegie and the American Council on Education for both research excellence and student opportunity. The University was just one of three private, not-for-profit institutions in Virginia classified as an Opportunity College & University with High Outcomes, reflecting its commitment to serving first-generation, lower-income, and underrepresented students while ensuring that graduates achieve earnings well above regional medians. Marymount has also been ranked among the top private institutions in Virginia for return on investment by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce and was named to the 2026 Forbes Top Colleges list, underscoring its growing reputation for excellence, equity, and strong student outcomes.
In addition to her role at Marymount, Dr. Becerra serves on several influential boards, including the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV), the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the Science Museum of Virginia, and United Educators.
According to Andrew Flagel, President and CEO of the Consortium, “At a pivotal moment for higher education, and understanding the tremendous pressure facing college presidents, I am so grateful that President Becerra agreed to take on leadership of our Consortium Board. Her vision for regional partnership and commitment to educational opportunity comes at a time when we need the Consortium to have a transformative impact for our members and our community.”
Dr. Flagel added, “The Consortium also extends its deepest appreciation to Roberta ‘Bobbi’ Cordano, President of Gallaudet University, for her outstanding leadership as Board Chair from 2021 to 2025 – the first chair in our history to serve two consecutive terms. Her profound insight, unwavering dedication, and exceptional leadership indelibly shaped the Consortium, driving collaboration, sparking innovation, and advancing collective progress. Under her leadership, we launched our partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank and our annual conference to reduce student hunger; completed a collaborative study and hosted a regional conference on reducing gun violence; launched our regional effort to expand workforce housing and published our comprehensive Economic Impact Study.”
The Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area (the Consortium) was established to drive collaboration in higher education across the National Capital Region. Over the past sixty years, the organization has evolved into a powerful catalyst for expanding economic and workforce development. The Consortium leads a wide-ranging portfolio of programs and initiatives that leverage the reputation, expertise, and unique strengths of its member institutions, which serve over 300,000 students, provide over 100,000 jobs, and collectively contribute over $15 billion annually to the regional economy.
Marymount University is a nationally ranked, private, Catholic, doctoral-granting university and Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in Arlington, Virginia, minutes from downtown Washington, D.C. Founded in 1950 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Marymount has spent 75 years cultivating a spirit of curiosity and service while fostering intellect, compassion, and global citizenship in its students. Marymount is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s most ethnically and internationally diverse campuses—over 4,000 students from 51 states and territories and 66 countries—reflecting its commitment to creating a welcoming environment where students explore their passions, pursue their dreams, positively impact the world, and Learn with Purpose.
As Marymount celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025, it remains dedicated to innovation, excellence, and preparing students to make a meaningful impact. Learn more at marymount.edu.
Contact:
Jeffrey A. Dagley
Director of Strategic Initiatives & Assistant to the President
Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area
jdagley@consortium.org
https://consortium.org