Bobby Ahdieh to Lead Pace University in January

The Texas A&M-Fort Worth leader is set to begin his tenure as president of Pace University on January 1.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in People

Bobby Ahdieh to Lead Pace University in January

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Bobby Ahdieh, the chief operating officer of Texas A&M-Fort Worth, will transition to his new role as president of Pace University on January 1, 2027. He succeeds Marvin Krislov in leading the university, which serves a student population of approximately 13,600.

Why it matters

Ahdieh's departure marks a significant leadership change following his successful tenure overseeing the growth of the Texas A&M law school. His move to New York will see him depart a regional development project in Fort Worth projected to generate significant economic activity.

During Ahdieh's tenure leading the law school, enrollment grew from 458 to over 2,000 students, while national rankings improved from 83 to 22. Annual fundraising for the institution quadrupled during this same period.

The players

Bobby Ahdieh

He is the outgoing chief operating officer of Texas A&M-Fort Worth and the incoming president of Pace University.

Marvin Krislov

He is the individual being succeeded by Bobby Ahdieh in the role of president at Pace University.

The details

Ahdieh, who previously served as a trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice and as a law clerk for Judge James R. Browning, led the development of the Texas A&M-Fort Worth innovation campus. This project is projected to cost over $1 billion and is expected to create 25,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Ahdieh began leading the Texas A&M law school in 2018.
Pace University announced Ahdieh's appointment on October 20, 2026.
Ahdieh begins as Pace University president on January 1, 2027.

Market Landscape

The leadership change arrives as Fort Worth continues to aggressively pursue academic and commercial integration through the development of the Texas A&M-Fort Worth innovation campus. This project represents a broader trend of urban academic hubs seeking to revitalize downtown districts.

Residents and stakeholders in Fort Worth may observe shifts in the management of the ongoing innovation campus project as a new leadership team takes over. The transition will eventually finalize on January 1, 2027, when Ahdieh assumes his duties in New York.

The takeaway

Ahdieh leaves behind a track record of significant institutional growth marked by increased enrollment and fundraising. His appointment highlights the ongoing mobility of high-level academic administrators across major national university systems.