– Would you share with us a bit of your family’s background and your early education?

Dr. Cesareo – My parents came to the U.S. as immigrants from Italy after World War II and settled in Queens, NY. What was most important to them, as newcomers to this new land and second only to their faith in God, was the high value they placed on education, both of which they passed on successfully to their children. As a family living in Queens, we belonged to St. Margaret’s Parish. When it came time for high school, I went to Cathedral Prep Seminary and then on to the college in Douglaston, NY. During that time however, it became clear to me that I was being called to be a teacher but not necessarily as a priest.

– Where did your higher education and pursuit of teaching take you from there?

Dr. Cesareo – From Douglaston, I went to Fordham University for my Master’s and Ph.D. in history, after which I won a Fulbright scholarship to study in Rome with a focus on the religious orders of the Catholic Reformation of the 16^th century.

– Where did you begin your teaching career?

Dr. Cesareo – Upon arriving back in the U.S., I taught for two years at Albertus Magnus College in CT, soon followed by fifteen years at John Carroll University in Ohio. It was there that I was introduced to administration and realized my baptismal call was to Catholic higher education.

– Where did you go from there?

Dr. Cesareo – In 2004 I moved on to Duquesne University where I was the undergraduate and graduate Dean of the Liberal Arts schools. In my third year, I heard of the president’s opening at Assumption College. What attracted me to Assumption were its strong classic liberal arts focus, its commitment to Catholic intellectual traditions, the connection between faith and reason envisioned and influenced by Fr. d’Alzon and his spirituality.

In addition, I resonated with the school and community’s strong belief in the potential of what the gospel can bring to bear on the transformation of society in building up of the Church, God’s kingdom. I believe that mine is a vocation, a call to re-invigorate the Assumptionist vision as best I can. As a college community, we are people who care for one another, faculty, administrators, staff, religious and students who can be a model for the 21^st century, a gift in and for the life and growth of the Church.

– What are some of the challenges that you face as president of Assumption?

Dr. Cesareo – The biggest challenge, as I see it, is to translate the vision I just mentioned into the school’s culture. As the college motto states, “…Until Christ Be Formed In You,” it must be everyone’s vision and work to embody this goal of transformation. It must reach into the heart and soul of each one of us. I also believe and work toward keeping the presence of the Assumptionists on campus alive. In addition to those present here now, I would like to have more visiting Assumptionists come to our campus to teach, inspire and invigorate the spiritual and intellectual life of Assumption’s college community. I am deeply committed to this partnership.

– I understand that your family also has ties to the Assumption family.

Dr. Cesareo – Yes, my wife and I have a daughter and two sons, so hopefully, we give witness as a family on campus when possible, most especially by worshipping here on Sunday together.

– Do you have any further hopes for the future?

Dr. Cesareo – I would like to see the college have more of a world wide connection with the Assumptionist congregation, especially in the area of curriculum development. Locally, we hope to work more closely with the Diocese of Worcester; sharing resources, clergy and lay personnel; collaborate with our high schools and their faculties; and possibility grant one scholarship a year to a promising high school senior. I am also looking forward to the new Campus Ministry Center which will also be a multi purpose structure added on to our present chapel site. Personally, there will be a group of us going to World Youth Day in Madrid and making a pilgrimage to Lourdes this summer. Upon our return, we will share this experience with the college community. Yes, there is much to be done but there is also much hope and with God’s help, all is possible!