History of Eduardo Peñalver in Timeline

Share: FB Share X Share Reddit Share Reddit Share
Eduardo Peñalver

Eduardo Moises Peñalver is an American legal scholar and academic administrator. He is the current president of Seattle University (since 2021) and previously served as the dean of Cornell Law School (2014-2021). He has been announced as the incoming 49th president of Georgetown University, beginning his tenure there in 2025. His career has been primarily focused on legal scholarship and academic leadership within higher education institutions.


1997: Marriage to Sital Kalantry

In 1997, Eduardo Peñalver married Sital Kalantry, whom he met at Cornell.

2003: Beginning of Academic Career at Fordham Law School

In 2003, Eduardo Peñalver began his academic career at Fordham Law School.

2006: Joining Cornell Law School Faculty

In 2006, Eduardo Peñalver joined the faculty at Cornell Law School and was a visiting professor at both Harvard Law School and Yale Law School.

2012: Move to the University of Chicago Law School

In 2012, Eduardo Peñalver moved to the University of Chicago Law School, where he served as the John P. Wilson Professor of Law.

2014: Dean of Cornell Law School

From 2014 to 2021, Eduardo Peñalver served as the 16th dean of Cornell Law School.

2014: Return to Cornell as Dean

In 2014, Eduardo Peñalver returned to Cornell after he was named the 16th dean of Cornell Law School, becoming the first person of Latino descent to hold that position in an Ivy League law school.

2021: End of Deanship at Cornell Law School

From 2014 until 2021, Peñalver was the Allan R. Tessler Dean of Cornell Law School, marking the end of his deanship in 2021.

2021: President of Seattle University

In 2021, Eduardo Peñalver became the 22nd and current president of Seattle University.

2024: Acquisition of Cornish College of the Arts

In 2024, as president, Eduardo Peñalver oversaw Seattle University's acquisition of the Cornish College of the Arts.

October 15, 2025: Announcement as President of Georgetown University

On October 15, 2025, Eduardo Peñalver was announced as the incoming 49th president of Georgetown University.