In the new role, Guilbeau will assist the president “in animating the Catholic character of the university … and help to articulate and promote the university’s Catholic mission, spirituality, ministry, ideals, principles, and charisms to all members of the community, including students, faculty, staff, administration, trustees, and alumni.” He will also review and offer advice on matters such as university policy, new hires, and best practices.
Guilbeau, who said he is humbled to be called to this new role, will continue overseeing the university’s chaplaincy and campus ministry programs. He told CNA that stepping into the vice president position is a way to formalize much of what he has already been doing.
“For me, it’s assuming more of an administrative role of being an active participant in those conversations about the life and mission of the university — everything from Catholic identity and character, but also budget, alumni engagement, you name it,” Guilbeau told CNA. “All that the team of vice presidents do, I’ll just now be involved on a daily basis. The chaplain always was a part of those conversations, but this just institutionalizes that.”
Guilbeau told CNA that Catholic life, identity, and mission have always been important at CUA and that Kilpatrick, who took office on July 1, 2022, wants to continue in that vein, making identity and mission a priority of his tenure as president.
“He says over and over again, in strategic meetings and other places, that creating a Christ-centered campus in a Christ-centered community here at Catholic is a No. 1 priority,” Guilbeau said. “Building on the successes of past presidents and past chaplaincies, and since identity and mission is an ongoing constant conversation, the university chaplain being more involved doesn’t signal anything essentially new but just formalizes that relationship.”
Guilbeau said it will also help CUA to meet challenges and goals in the months and years to come.