Welcome to Westcliff San Francisco: Grace Shepherd Leads the Way
As Westcliff University continues a year of major growth, its newest milestone is taking shape in one of the West Coast’s most iconic cities: San Francisco. Towering glass buildings, cable cars and ocean air surround the new campus, setting the stage for a bold new chapter of learning and innovation.
For students, Westcliff San Francisco is a gateway to this historic city, with new opportunities around every corner. Located just blocks from its world-famous waterfront, the campus stands within reach of some of the most influential companies in the world.
The new campus would be nothing without a vibrant environment for students. At the helm of the student experience is Grace Shepherd, the new campus manager for Westcliff San Francisco. She’s the type of leader who doesn’t just manage a campus, she brings it to life. With a background in public service, Shepherd truly understands what it takes to build a lasting community.
“I’ve always loved how energetic and passionate students are about learning, and I’m the same way,” she said. “I’m really excited to lead a team and advise students, all things I love so much.”
With a world-renowned city as her backdrop, Shepherd is ready to lay the foundation for something bigger than a classroom. She is building a space where student potential and a little fun take center stage.
Hello, Westcliff San Francisco!
Building a campus from the ground up is no small task. But instead of shying away from the challenge, Shepherd is stepping into it with a clear vision.
“The goal is really about growth and working with student life to make sure students are getting the experience they deserve,” Shepherd said.
That experience begins the moment a student steps off the sidewalk. For Shepherd, Westcliff San Francisco is a place where the energy of the city flows into every classroom, and where learning feels as alive as the streets outside.
“A lot of our students are usually online, so when they come to campus, I want them to feel like they’re part of something,” she said. “I want them to meet people they wouldn’t normally meet and feel like they’re actually getting that real college life.”
With its diverse neighborhoods, vibrant culture and rich history, the city becomes part of the learning journey. That is the beauty of being in a city as emblematic as San Francisco. There is something for everyone to enjoy.
“You could spend a day in San Francisco and feel like you’ve lived eight lives,” she said. “Go to the aquarium. Take the ferry. Try new food. I think that is also a huge part of it.”
While the student experience remains the top priority, Shepherd’s goals for Westcliff San Francisco go beyond what happens on campus each day. She is focused on ensuring long-term stability and strengthening community partnerships that reflect both the academic strength and professional quality Westcliff is known for.
It is a vision that requires more than ambition. It takes someone with the perspective and leadership to bring it to life — and luckily, Shepherd is more than prepared to lead the way.
Built for the Role
Before there was a campus to lead, there was a leader with big questions and a drive to do more. Shepherd started where many of Westcliff students are now; balancing ambition with uncertainty, and fueled by a desire to make a difference.
Her journey took her through legal clinics, public service projects and leadership roles that placed communities of all types at the center. Each step forward shaped her into the kind of leader who listens first and leads with intention. The perfect candidate to manage the new campus at Westcliff San Francisco.
“Being able to work at the Community Legal Information Clinic really helped my approach to leadership,” she reflects. “How you communicate with students and understand where they’re coming from is huge to being the leader they need.”
In that past role, Shepherd saw the value of listening. She learned that understanding someone’s story often matters more than rushing to solve their problem. It is a practice she brings into every conversation and every challenge to support the students she now serves.
Now, at Westcliff San Francisco, those lessons have found their next home. Shepherd will work with the same mindset and care that shaped her early career, guided by a belief that education works best when students feel seen.
The Blueprint Becomes Real
The skyline of San Francisco is constantly changing. So is Westcliff. And in this moment of growth, both the city and the university find themselves at the edge of something new.
Grace Shepherd is helping turn that new beginning into reality. With every student she meets, she is helping to shape not just a campus, but a culture. One that reflects the heart of the city it calls home and the spirit of the students it serves.
“I want them to come away from their time here thinking, ‘That was more than I expected,’” she emphasizes. “You as students are not only the focus of the university but also the future.”
In addition to its vibrant campus life, Westcliff San Francisco is proud to offer cutting-edge academic programs designed for today’s fast-evolving world. Key program offerings include the Master of Business Administration, Doctor of Business Administration, Master of Science in Information Technology and the Master of Science in Computer Science.
Westcliff San Francisco is not just opening its doors. It is opening a future. And with Shepherd leading the way, that next chapter already feels personal, possible and ready to begin.