Valparaiso University named Thais Carter the next Bonnie and Peter Raquet endowed director’s chair for the Institute for Leadership and Service.

“Thais has already brought tremendous gifts and vision to the Institute,” said Brian T. Johnson, assistant vice president for mission and ministry at Valparaiso. “Her passion to deepen and broaden concepts of vocation, her strategic insight and campus outreach and her sense of welcome and care for all members of the academic and local community will continue to grow the Institute’s influence.”

Carter joined Valparaiso University in November 2015 after more than a decade in corporate communications. She has helped to grow and launch several programs for the Institute for Leadership and Service, including the Pathways to Purpose speaker series, the annual Bridge/Work conference, skill-building workshops and a podcast.  

The Institute for Leadership and Service at Valpo is dedicated to preparing students for lives of leadership and service. In 2015, Valparaiso University alumni Peter ’65, ’70 M.A. and Bonnie Thalacker ’70 Raquet established the endowed director’s chair for the Institute for Leadership and Service. The endowment provides a permanent source of support for the institute’s programs and supports Forever Valpo: The Campaign for Our Future, a $250 million endowment campaign focused on raising permanent support for student scholarships, faculty development, and programs that prepare students for lives of leadership and service.

Carter will be responsible for the strategic leadership, coordination and guidance of the Institute for Leadership and Service.  

Carter received her Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Columbia College in Chicago.