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FROM PRES IDE N T S H A L L | K A T I A P A S S E R I N I , P h . D .
Stability
Progress
t has been four months since I received the
from that mission. We have increased awards to Pell-
extraordinary opportunity to serve Seton Hall as
eligible students by more than 25 percent in the last five
interim president. I realize how fortunate I am to
years. And we are among the top performers for career
lead one of the most consequential higher education
outcomes.
I
institutions in the nation.
Bishop Bayley had a vision when he established Seton Hall. Relying on faith, he built a great university. Most
Hall faculty to delivering instruction of the highest
students during the early decades were immigrants
quality. Our professors are devoted to sharing knowledge
and children of immigrants. And nearly all were first-
with students and welcoming them into their labs and
generation students.
scholarly projects.
Seton Hall is still drawing people from all over the
We are dedicated to increasing affordability. This
world. I grew up in Rome, the Eternal City. But even in
year, we allocated more than $170 million in University-
Rome, America was always the dream. I came to this
funded scholarships. This anchors the total cost of
country to achieve my dream. That is why I feel at home
attendance among the lowest in our peer group. And
at Seton Hall. That is why I came here in 2020 to serve as
we will continue to analyze and optimize our pricing to
provost and executive vice president. That is why I am
increase access whenever and wherever possible.
honored to lead the University today. Seton Hall is a place where people come to achieve
We value living in a community where everyone is included and respected. We don’t shirk from addressing
their dreams. When they leave, they make a better world
difficult issues. We engage in a spirit of mutual
for everyone. Our singularity stems from a dynamic set
understanding and respect, which provides a powerful
of characteristics that can only be found here.
opportunity to examine humanity from all sides.
Most importantly, we put students first. Our care
All of these qualities have enabled our success since
and concern for students infuses our teaching, research
the beginning and remain foundational to our success
and service. It stems from our identity as a Catholic
today. They are why I am committed to making
university that is committed to intellectual, spiritual and
us even more vital as one of the world’s leading
moral growth.
Catholic universities.
We emphasize social mobility. Seton Hall was
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We are devoted to teaching and learning. As provost,
I witnessed an unparalleled commitment from the Seton
Our academics are vibrant and respected. The College
founded to educate people who were not afforded full
of Human Development, Culture, and Media — which
opportunities in society, and we have never strayed
was inaugurated this fall — offers students learning
