March 13, 2024
Christopher Cuccia ’97CBA, ’01MBA, ’07PD, ’09Ed.D., Associate Provost for Academic and Graduate Affairs, Seton Hall University, will be among several alumni honored by The School of Education (SOE) at the 13th Annual Leaders in Education Awards Dinner (LEAD) on April 11 in the D’Angelo Center on St. John’s University’s Queens, NY, campus.
Congratulations! What does it feel like to receive this award?
It is an incredible honor. As a proud alumnus of St. John’s University—and one who recalls when the first Leaders in Education Awards Dinner was hosted—I am sincerely humbled by this recognition. It has served as an opportunity to reflect on my career thus far: the colleagues alongside of whom I’ve served, the mentors from whom I’ve learned, and the communities in which I’ve worked.
My hope is that I’ve upheld the St. John’s University mission of service, integrity, and excellence in all that I do. To be recognized in this way by alma mater—for being a leader in the field of education—is very much a personal and professional highlight. In addition, I’m grateful to be acknowledged among so many dedicated educators who are committed to making a difference in the lives of others.
Please tell us a little about yourself and your current profession.
As a four-time graduate of St. John’s, I am a very proud alumnus and former employee, having served in a variety of administrative and adjunct faculty capacities over 17 years. While employed at the University, I had the opportunity to experience the Vincentian Mission Institute, received the Outstanding Administrative Achievement Medal, and most notably, worked alongside countless numbers of colleagues and students who inspired and challenged me.
I presently serve as the Associate Provost for Academic and Graduate Affairs at Seton Hall University. Like St. John’s, Seton Hall is another dynamic and mission-oriented institution that is committed to making an incredible difference in the lives of its students. Most importantly, all my experience and education serves as preparation for the most important roles I will ever play: husband to my beautiful and loving wife of 18 months, Ilissa, and father to my soon-to-be-born daughter in just a few short weeks.
How has a degree from The School of Education impacted your career path?
Not only have my degrees from The School of Education positively impacted my career, but the School and the University, broadly, have had a profound impact on who I am as a person and an educator. The University’s Vincentian charism and mission instilled a desire and an appreciation for the value of service and the desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. My experience with The School of Education did not simply involve the acquisition of knowledge, but also the benefits of exposure to very practical, real-world experiences and a deep network of alumni with whom I have had opportunities to engage throughout my career.
Were there any professors in The School of Education who influenced your life?
There were many faculty members who were wonderful influences in my life, though none more than Rene S. Parmar, Ph.D., Professor of Measurement and Evaluation, Division of Administrative and Instructional Leadership, and Jerrold Ross, Ph.D., former Dean of The School of Education (1995–2014). Dr. Ross was someone I had the privilege of knowing and working closely with as both a student and an administrator under his charge. Very simply, he was a monumental figure, and his vision, wit, and commitment to teaching excellence serve as the epitome of a true educator and left an indelible mark on me, both personally and professionally.
Dr. Parmar was my dissertation adviser and, more importantly, a mentor and patient guide throughout the process. Her tutelage and unwavering presence were not only the foundation for my culminating work in the doctoral program, but also served as an imitable model of a scholar and educational leader to which I might aspire.
If you could hold on to memories from being a student in The School of Education, what would those memories be?
As a student in The School of Education, I greatly appreciated and relied on the sense of community that permeated throughout my graduate work, which was always reflected in the interactions with faculty members and fellow students. It was not uncommon for my fellow classmates and I to meet in more casual locations on campus or in computer labs to write papers, work through complex class projects and assignments, and benefit from one another’s example and the sense of camaraderie that helped to make the educational experience at St. John’s so transformative. It is these memories of community and connection that ground me in my current work as an educator and leader.
What wisdom would you like to share with the next generation of alumni?
Any recommendations I have to share are from lived experience. The first would be to learn to embrace change. The world is constantly evolving, and the ability to adapt and embrace change is essential for personal and professional growth.
Another would be to pursue lifelong learning. Never stop seeking knowledge and expanding skills. The pursuit of learning doesn’t end with graduation and leaving the formal classroom; it’s a lifelong journey that enriches your life and opens up new opportunities.
In addition, stay curious and open-minded. Embrace new ideas, perspectives, and experiences, as they can broaden your horizons and deepen your understanding of the world around you.
And finally, remember always that we have both the responsibility and, above all, the privilege, of knowing that what we do as educators is in service to others—our students, our communities, and our institutions—in a manner that is consistent with the history and mission of St. John’s.