Katherine Repasky | assistant editor

Students had the chance Wednesday to listen to President David Dausey answer questions concerning his role and his plans for the future as Duquesne University’s 14th president.

The questions were presented by Student Government Association President Mwango Kasuba, who read from a set of pre-selected questions. Students had the opportunity to submit questions throughout the week.

The audience included representatives from Duquesne organizations, such as Duquesne Program Council, the Student Bar Association, the Resident Hall Association and more. 

The conversation began with Dausey discussing his background as a first-generation college student and how his path shifted to higher education and academic administration. 

“Life is a process of becoming. I think over time, not only do we discover our gifts, we refine them and become better at them,” Dausey said.

Dausey went on to reflect upon his own education, noting his experience as a student is a primary factor in how he approaches the role of president, especially when thinking of each individual student’s background. 

“There are different groups. They have different needs, and I want to make sure I understand what those different needs are,” he said. 

Dausey said he has a personal policy of being “non-defensive toward critique.” 

He said he hopes this approach will allow him to better connect with students and better work alongside others to find the solution to problems that may arise during his presidency. 

Students who attended the presidential conversation said they would love to see more of this honest and approachable communication between the student body and university administrators. 

“Higher ups can seem really untouchable and out of reach sometimes,” said Annika Biggs,  sophomore forensic major. “Its nice to be able to come and hear these questions and answers. It humanizes them and reminds us that they just want to help us.” 

Financial responsibility and concern was a large focus of discussion for students. 

“I think of each dollar spent. I think of a student that might have taken out a loan for that dollar to be spent. Is it bettering their experience and is it furthering the university and our mission? If not, then I want it spent differently,” Dausey said. 

Rules for taking out federal student loans changed on July 1 as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to Federal Student Aid. These changes put caps on the loans students can take out based on their degree. Dausey told The Duke that the university is working on new ways to help students find financial assistance. 

“We’ve been working with a number of different stakeholders … to see if we can come up with homegrown solutions for Duquesne University itself,” Dausey said. “One of the solutions is that an outside lender would work directly with us and our students to make loans available to them.” 

He said the university has already worked through such an arrangement with its law and medicine programs and is considering similar options for other programs.

Dausey also highlighted future physical changes to Duquesne’s campus. 

“It will probably be within the next year that we take St. Ann’s down,” Dausey said, citing the building’s age as the main motivation. 

The space may eventually become a park, with Dausey hoping the university will greatly expand upon its green spaces and create a “purposeful place where students and others can gather outside.” 

Ava Hogan, a sophomore psychology and media design major, said she looks forward to these outdoor changes.

“I think it would be great to utilize even more outdoor spaces, maybe further down A-walk with more benches or covered tables,” she said.

Other students pointed to areas beyond centralized campus spots that they would like to see improved. 

“I would love to see the walk to Liberman Hall improved since the intersection at the bottom of Rockwell is a nightmare,” Biggs said. 

Dausey discussed his vision for connecting Duquesne more closely with the surrounding city, including the possibility of development along Forbes Avenue. 

“We can really create a Forbes Avenue that has shops and other things that would be beneficial for students,” Dausey said. 

Dausey will be formally inaugurated Thursday as the 14th president of Duquesne University at 1 p.m.