Luiss Guido Carli has its origins in an earlier Roman institution: Pro Deo University, founded in 1966.
In 1974 a group of entrepreneurs led by Umberto Agnelli decided to invest human and financial resources in an innovative educational project aimed at executives.
Luiss adopted a new educational approach, moving in the direction of top-notch international universities.
Other important public and private industrial groups joined the University’s founders in subsequent years, along with financial firms, which brought an authoritative representation of businesspeople to the University’s Board of Directors.
In 1977, the University officially changed its name to Luiss— Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali, or the Guido Carli Free International University for Social Studies. A year later, Guido Carli, who was then President of the Italian industrial association, Confindustria, became the University’s President. During this period, increased emphasis was put on the underlying elements of Luiss’s educational approach: a rigorous admissions process, a set number of students, the study of foreign languages and IT, and a curriculum that is in line with the needs of the marketplace and closely linked to the business world.
Guido Carli remained the President of Luiss until his death in 1993.
In 1982, Luiss expanded its number of degree programs. The Department of Law was added to the Departments of Economics and Political Science.
In 1994, the Board of Directors decided to rename the University in memory of Guido Carli.
In 1997, Luiss Management S.p.A. was established for all market-directed educational activities.
Presidents
- Father Andrea F. Morlion
from the University’s establishment to October 31, 1975
- Mons. Carlo Ferrero
from November 1, 1975 to October 31, 1978
- Guido Carli
from November 1, 1978 to April 23, 1993
- Luigi Abete
from November 1, 1993 to July 18, 2001
- Antonio D'Amato
from July 18, 2001 to December 20, 2004
- Luca Cordero di Montezemolo
from December 20, 2004 to July 15, 2010
- Emma Marcegaglia
from July 15, 2010 to June 19, 2019
- Vincenzo Boccia
from June 19, 2019 to October 19, 2023
- Luigi Gubitosi
since October 19, 2023
Rectors
- Roberto Lucifredi
from November 1, 1966 to July 27, 1974
- Giuseppe Mira
from November 1, 1974 to October 31, 1977
- Rosario Romeo
from November 1, 1978 to July 16, 1984
- Carlo Luigi Scognamiglio
from November 1, 1984 to June 18, 1992
- Mario Arcelli
from July 16, 1992 to September 30, 2002
- Adriano De Maio
from October 1, 2002 to June 16, 2005
- Marcello Foschini
from June 16, 2005 to September 30, 2006
- Massimo Egidi
from October 1, 2006 to October 3, 2016
- Paola Severino
from October 3, 2016 to June 18, 2018
- Andrea Prencipe
from June 18, 2018 to June 26, 2024
- Paolo Boccardelli
since June 26, 2024