Dean of Students tapped for AASCU leadership institute
Fitchburg State University Dean of Students Tim St. John has been selected to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)’s prestigious Emerging Leadership Program in Washington, D.C. The Emerging Leadership Program ( ELP) is designed for academic and administrative professionals to gain a greater appreciation of the Academy, and build the skills and mindset to lead campus initiatives and advance to more senior leadership roles. Participants graduate with skills, connections, and support necessary to navigate the transition to higher administrative roles. During the course of the program, participants will assess their individual leadership style and strengths and apply the skills learned in the instructional portion of the program to a project/initiative on their home campus over the course of the academic year. “Tim St. John has been a trusted partner during an important period of transition at Fitchburg State, and his leadership continues to elevate the student experience in meaningful ways,” said Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge. “As someone who deeply values the impact of AASCU’s leadership development programs, I know this experience will not only strengthen Tim’s work but also further our efforts to build a more inclusive, engaged, and student-ready campus. I’m incredibly proud that Tim will represent Fitchburg State among a national cohort of changemakers.” “I am deeply honored to have been selected for this prestigious program,” St. John said. “I’m incredibly grateful to President Hodge for encouraging me to apply and for her unwavering support of my professional growth and development. Participating in ELP will deepen my understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing public higher education today, while strengthening my leadership skills to meet this critical moment. I am especially excited to connect with fellow program participants and esteemed faculty. I look forward to applying the insights and skills gained through ELP in meaningful ways to impact both my work and leadership at Fitchburg State - always in service to our incredible students.” St. John said he will be looking to develop his knowledge base and strategic thinking about specialized populations on the Fitchburg State campus, including online students, adult learners, veterans, and students who are parents. The AASCU experience will also include the development of a campus-based project, in which St. John will work on leading a coalition of campus colleagues to support a sense of belonging and engagement for online students. St. John joined the Fitchburg State campus in January 2024 and has functioned as chief student affairs officer since May 2025. His higher education experience includes service at Clark University and the University of New England.
Fitchburg State University Dean of Students Tim St. John has been selected to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)’s prestigious Emerging Leadership Program in Washington, D.C.
The Emerging Leadership Program (ELP) is designed for academic and administrative professionals to gain a greater appreciation of the Academy, and build the skills and mindset to lead campus initiatives and advance to more senior leadership roles. Participants graduate with skills, connections, and support necessary to navigate the transition to higher administrative roles.
During the course of the program, participants will assess their individual leadership style and strengths and apply the skills learned in the instructional portion of the program to a project/initiative on their home campus over the course of the academic year.
“Tim St. John has been a trusted partner during an important period of transition at Fitchburg State, and his leadership continues to elevate the student experience in meaningful ways,” said Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge. “As someone who deeply values the impact of AASCU’s leadership development programs, I know this experience will not only strengthen Tim’s work but also further our efforts to build a more inclusive, engaged, and student-ready campus. I’m incredibly proud that Tim will represent Fitchburg State among a national cohort of changemakers.”
“I am deeply honored to have been selected for this prestigious program,” St. John said. “I’m incredibly grateful to President Hodge for encouraging me to apply and for her unwavering support of my professional growth and development. Participating in ELP will deepen my understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing public higher education today, while strengthening my leadership skills to meet this critical moment. I am especially excited to connect with fellow program participants and esteemed faculty. I look forward to applying the insights and skills gained through ELP in meaningful ways to impact both my work and leadership at Fitchburg State - always in service to our incredible students.”
St. John said he will be looking to develop his knowledge base and strategic thinking about specialized populations on the Fitchburg State campus, including online students, adult learners, veterans, and students who are parents. The AASCU experience will also include the development of a campus-based project, in which St. John will work on leading a coalition of campus colleagues to support a sense of belonging and engagement for online students.
St. John joined the Fitchburg State campus in January 2024 and has functioned as chief student affairs officer since May 2025. His higher education experience includes service at Clark University and the University of New England.
Latest Fitchburg State University News
- Fitchburg State’s five new Presidential Fellows unveiledFitchburg State University President Donna Hodge is proud to announce its five new Presidential Fellows for the academic year. The Fellows Program was launched in 2024 with the goal of fostering leadership growth among faculty and librarians by providing a unique professional development opportunity. The fellows represent President Hodge and the President’s Office and contribute to university- and community-wide initiatives that further Fitchburg State’s mission, vision and core values. The 2025-26 Presidential Fellows are: Professor DeMisty Bellinger-Delfeld (English Studies Department); Associate Professor Jonathan Harvey (Humanities Department); Professor Denise Sargent (Education Department); Associate Professor Deborah Stone (Nursing Department); and Connie Strittmatter (Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library). Re-appointed Fellows include Professor Katharine Covino (English Studies Department), Professor Laura Garofoli (Psychological Sciences Department), Assistant Professor Dustin Halterman (Education Department) and Associate Professor Lindsay Parisi (Exercise and Sports Science Department). “Our Presidential Fellows represent the best of Fitchburg State’s commitment to bold ideas and collective progress. By giving our faculty and librarians the time and platform to lead projects of their own design, we are investing not only in their professional growth but in the transformation of our university and the communities we serve,” President Hodge said. Professor David Weiss will coordinate this year’s Presidential Fellows Program. “This program reflects a simple but powerful truth: leadership is not confined to titles or offices. It is cultivated in classrooms, libraries, and laboratories—and it flourishes when people are trusted to innovate. I am proud of this year’s Fellows, and I look forward to the ways their work will advance our mission as the number one state university in Massachusetts,” Hodge said. "At Fitchburg State University, the Presidential Fellows exemplify the kind of leadership that inspires progress—rooted in purpose, driven by curiosity, and committed to making a lasting impact on our campus and beyond," said Weiss. The Presidential Fellows will have the opportunity to propose, engage, and see to fruition a focused project or initiative of their choosing, in consultation with the President’s Office, which is meaningful, impactful, and elevates the “Number One State University” throughout the North Central Region, Massachusetts, and beyond.
- Banned Books Week events: Censoring local author Robert CormierFitchburg State University and the Fitchburg Historical Society are collaborating to recognize Banned Books Week in October with “Censoring Cormier: Readings from the Fitchburg State University Archives.” The reading of archival materials is related to the censorship of local author Robert Cormier's work. Cormier’s novel The Chocolate War, was one of the most censored novels at the time of its publication as part of the first wave of book challenges and bans in the United States. “Cormier’s works began to be challenged and removed from schools and libraries over 40 years ago,” said Fitchburg State Associate Librarian for Instruction and Community Engagement Olivia Rossetti. “Our goal with this event is to reflect on the evolution of censorship as Cormier experienced it, and consider how the issue has or has not evolved since then.” These hour-long events will feature a 30-minute reading, followed by a discussion. The first event will begin at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the Fitchburg Historical Society, 781 Main St. Fitchburg State University hosts the second event at the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9. “Banned Books Week is such an important event, and we’re excited to partner with Fitchburg Historical Society to expand the reach of this work,” Rossetti said. “We hope to see lots of faces, both from our university community and the community at large at our events this October.” The events are both free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Free parking is available in the parking lot behind the Historical Society building (accessed via Central St.), or free on-street parking on Main St. Designated visitor lots for Fitchburg State may be located on the university website at fitchburgstate.edu/about/maps-and-directions.
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- Presidential Ambassadors Showcase on Sept. 25Academics change lives. That’s the theme of this year’s Presidential Ambassadors Program at Fitchburg State University. The program fosters leadership development among students by providing unique opportunities to design and implement projects that strengthen communities. The Presidential Ambassadors Showcase will take place on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Hammond Hall Main Lounge from 4-5:30 p.m. "This showcase is more than a celebration of student projects; it is a reflection of who we are as a university," President Donna Hodge said. "Our Presidential Ambassadors embody the momentum and mission of Fitchburg State. They take the lessons learned in the classroom and bring them to life through service, leadership, and innovation. Their work reminds us that education is not only about personal achievement, but also about building stronger communities and opening doors for those who will follow. I am proud of the example they set and grateful for the energy and vision they bring to our campus and beyond." This event highlights the projects of President Hodge's Presidential Ambassadors, recognizes campus community contributions, and honors the transformative power of education. “The Presidential Ambassador Program exemplifies who we are at Fitchburg State,” said Dr. Christine Dee, Professor of History and Special Assistant to the President, who will supervise the ambassadors this year. “We love to learn, to build, and to move forward. The ambassadors combine their academic interests with project management skills to enact positive, meaningful change. Dr. Hodge empowers all students at Fitchburg State to chart their own educational path. This program is an example of the student-focused opportunities the president has created at the university.” This year’s Presidential Ambassadors are: Veronica Barton, Kole Broderick, Alexis DeSimone, Priscilla Fordjour, Geybrell Liriano, Sophia Moore, Sydney-Amelia Nortelus, Peter J. Norton, Alexis Sandmann, Reshawn Stewart, Aidan Thompson, Matthew Gill and Julia Arena. Arena and Gill are returning Presidential Ambassadors. “We are excited to work with these talented and diverse students,” said Dee. “Together, they are a powerful team that serves our campus with distinction.” At the State of the University Address to kick off the start of the year, President Hodge honored this year’s group of Presidential Ambassadors, who are bold representatives of the university’s spirit, service, and momentum, with green blazers. The Ambassadors volunteer at high-level campus and community events, they meet alumni and legislators, and they tour special guests around campus. They do it all with poise, humility, and a deep love for Fitchburg State. “These students represent the best of who we are and the best of where we’re going,” Hodge said.
