April 6, 2026 — Today, Fr. Sean Carroll, SJ, provincial of the Jesuits West Province, announced that Jesuit Superior General Father Arturo Sosa, SJ, has appointed Father José Ignacio Badenes, SJ, as the next Rector of the Jesuit Community at Loyola Marymount University. Fr. Badenes will begin his new mission on August 15, 2026.
Fr. Badenes first came to LMU in 1996, as a professor of modern languages and literatures (Spanish). With the exception of leaves for visiting professorships and sabbaticals, LMU has been his home ever since.
He currently serves as LMU’s Vice Provost for Academic Integration and Engagement and Senior International Officer, ensuring coherence and mission alignment across the university while overseeing select academic portfolios and serving as a key international liaison.
He earned his Ph.D. in Hispanic languages and literatures from the University of California at Santa Barbara and has master’s degrees in romance languages and literatures from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and in divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University.
Fr. Carroll said, “In this Easter season, as we rejoice in the new life Christ offers and discern how we are sent in His service, I would like to thank José for his willingness to serve in this important role. I am likewise very grateful to Father Eddie Siebert, SJ, who has served as Rector since 2020, for his deep care, his attentive leadership and his great fidelity.”
