Matt Parlow is set to become Chapman’s 14th president on Sept. 2 of next year, once Daniele Struppa officially steps down. The Board of Trustees decided on Dec. 10 that he was the best fit for the university moving forward. Parlow has over a decade of experience at the school, currently serving as executive vice president and chief advancement officer.

When Parlow came to campus to speak on Nov. 19, he emphasized strengthening the school’s diversity and commitment to its students. The Panther’s Sean Pacheco covered his full town hall meeting, where the president-elect also discussed Chapman’s $30 million budget deficit.

In a press release, the Board of Trustees outlined some of the key reasons for his appointment: strong leadership, experience in education, an understanding of the Chapman community and his successes within the law school.

Parlow said that he is proud to follow both Struppa and Jim Doti’s legacies at the school and that while Chapman has come a long way in the past few decades, it can improve even further.

“To me, this is also personal,” Parlow said in the press release. “I love Chapman. It’s been a home for me in so many ways, and it is a community I am deeply connected to, with so many people I care so much about. Chapman is special.”

He was appointed ahead of Jennifer West, who was the only other candidate invited to the school to speak. The appointment ended what the board called a “multi-month national search.”