After a nationwide search process, the board of trustees of St. Joseph’s College, Clinton Hill, announced that Jack P. Calareso, Ph.D. will become the next president of the college, effective July 1. Dr. Calareso will be the first non-religious leader of the college since its founding in 1916.

He succeeds Sister Elizabeth Hill, C.S.J., president since 1997.

“Dr. Calareso comes to St. Joseph’s College highly recommended by many of his colleagues across the country,” said Chris Drewes, chair of the college’s board of trustees. “He is a strong leader with a stellar academic background and is well positioned to lead the college into the future from a position of strength.”

Dr. Calareso is the president of Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass., a position he has held since 2007. Prior to that, he served as the president of Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio, and Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, Iowa.

He has earned a national reputation for his knowledge in liberal arts education, teaching and administration. He is also a renowned speaker at international, national, regional and local conferences and workshops, as well as the author of numerous books and articles.

A strong fundraiser, Dr. Calareso has successfully planned and led a number of major fundraising campaigns resulting in significant capital improvements, growth of endowments, scholarship programs, endowed chairs and special projects.

Dr. Calareso received a Ph.D. from Marquette University in Milwaukee. He and his wife, Rose, have three grown children and four grandchildren.

Speaking on behalf of the board of trustees regarding the transition of leadership, Drewes said: “We wish to thank Sister Elizabeth Hill for her dedication, her vision and her many significant accomplishments during her years at the helm. Her presidency will have a lasting impact on St. Joseph’s College, and we are excited by the prospect of working with Dr. Calareso to build on that success.”