Pasco college names new leader, its third in seven years

St. Leo University in Pasco County, one of the largest Catholic universities in the country, has named longtime higher education leader Jim Burkee president. 

Burkee becomes the school’s 12th president — and the third in the past seven years. He starts Sept. 1, according to a statement.

Burkee replaces Edward Dadez, a 25-year veteran of the school named president in July 2022. Dadez retired in February; James DeTuccio, the school’s CFO and vice president of business affairs, served as interim COO while the board conducted a search for the next president.