Jersey City, N.J. – Saint Peter’s College is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Stephen M. Hess, S. J., to the position of associate vice president for student life and development. In addition, current administrator Eileen L. Poiani, Ph.D., has been named special assistant to the president.
Fr. Hess previously served as interim vice president for mission at Gonzaga University. During his tenure at Gonzaga, Fr. Hess also served as director of campus activities and dean of student development. Prior to that, he served as director of residence life at Seattle University. In addition, Fr. Hess was the associate pastor at Saint Ignatius Parish in Portland, Oregon, and also served as the director of the Mikono Center at the Jesuit Refugee Service in East Africa.
“Fr. Hess’ proven track record of creating opportunities for students, faculty and staff to explore the mission of Jesuit education, and how it plays a role in their own personal development, will have a tremendous impact on our community,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s College. “We welcome him to Saint Peter’s and look forward to working with him on ways to strengthen our students’ college experience in an atmosphere of cura personalis.”
During his career in higher education, Fr. Hess has engaged with students and professionals in a variety of contexts, such as serving as a residence hall chaplain, working with Catholic Ministries and interning with the Institute for Administrators in Catholic Higher Education. Fr. Hess has also been involved with the American Educational Research Association, the Association for the Study of Higher Education, the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators, NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) and the Working Class Studies Association. Additionally, he has presented at many conferences on the subject of class issues that students face while in college.
Fr. Hess holds a Bachelor of Arts in speech communication and Master of Arts in organizational leadership, both from Gonzaga University. He also possesses a Master of Divinity from the Weston School of Theology and a Doctor of Philosophy in higher education administration from Boston College.
Dr. Poiani has a long history with Saint Peter’s College. She was the first female professor in the mathematics department and the first female vice president appointed in the College’s history. She most recently served as vice president for student affairs. In her new role as special assistant to the president, Dr. Poiani will oversee several institutional projects across all areas of the College. She will focus on taking a key leadership role in enhancing Archdiocesan relations. Additionally, she will be assisting in the upcoming Middle States self-study and special fundraising initiatives. Dr. Poiani also will serve as a College representative for various activities in the Office for Advancement and External Affairs.
“Eileen’s commitment to our Jesuit and Catholic mission, her broad experiences as a faculty member and administrator, and her rich understanding of institutional history and culture are all vital to the College,” added Dr. Cornacchia. “I am confident that many important initiatives will be successfully advanced through her leadership and guidance.”
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Saint Peter’s College, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment.
Contact:
Sarah Malinowski
(201) 761-6239