Southwest University Will Install New Leadership

The institution will hold a ceremony on October 14, 2026, to transition Ben Arriola to CEO and appoint Jeremy Burciaga as president.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in People

Southwest University Will Install New Leadership

Live Poll

Do you believe changes in university leadership usually lead to improvements for students and faculty?

Southwest University is set to host a formal leadership transition ceremony on October 14, 2026. The event will finalize the transition of Ben Arriola to chief executive officer and the appointment of Jeremy Burciaga as the university president.

Why it matters

The change in executive leadership marks a significant shift in the administrative structure of Southwest University. This ceremony serves to formalize the new roles for both Arriola and Burciaga as they assume their respective responsibilities.

The leadership transition ceremony is scheduled to occur at 10 a.m. at 6140 SW University Way in El Paso. This event follows the university's decision to shift Ben Arriola from president to the role of chief executive officer.

The players

Ben Arriola

Ben Arriola is transitioning from the role of president to chief executive officer at Southwest University.

Jeremy Burciaga

Jeremy Burciaga is assuming the position of president at Southwest University.

Southwest University

Southwest University is an educational institution located in El Paso, Texas.

The details

Southwest University is conducting this transition ceremony at their campus facility in El Paso. The event highlights the move of Ben Arriola into the chief executive role, while Jeremy Burciaga takes on the presidency of the institution.

The leadership transition ceremony will be held on October 14, 2026, starting at 10 a.m.

Market Landscape

This leadership transition mirrors a broader trend of administrative restructuring at regional higher education institutions as identified in the 2024 American Council on Education survey on higher education leadership transitions. The move positions Southwest University to potentially refine its governance as it updates its executive hierarchy.

Residents and stakeholders in El Paso may notice updates to university communications and administrative policies following the appointment of the new leadership team. These changes will likely affect how the institution interacts with the local community and manages its future development projects.

The takeaway

This transition establishes a new reporting structure that separates the roles of president and chief executive officer at the university. Such changes are often implemented to allow for greater specialization in academic and operational governance as the institution grows.