Caltech hires Towson University's Stephanie Shea as general counsel from January 2027

Why it matters: Caltech's senior leaders, Board of Trustees and Jet Propulsion Laboratory colleagues will be advised by a new general counsel from 6 January 2027.

Caltech said Stephanie Shea, who holds the posts of senior vice president, general counsel and presidential chief of staff at Towson University, will become its general counsel on 6 January 2027.

In the role, Shea will run the Office of the General Counsel, join the senior administrative leadership group and give legal advice to staff at Caltech and its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), as well as to the Board of Trustees and Institute leaders, Caltech said.

Her predecessor, Jennifer Lum, is retiring on 5 January 2027 after 16 years' service, according to the Institute.

President Ray Jayawardhana said Shea stood out in a strong candidate pool thanks to her wide experience, curiosity and collaborative approach.

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Editor’s view

Abigail Taylor, Leadership and Governance Editor

Caltech's trustees, senior leaders and JPL staff will switch to a new legal adviser when Lum steps down on 5 January 2027, with Shea in post from the next day.

What to watch

• Shea is due to start at Caltech on 6 January 2027, one day after Lum retires.