Main News

Saint Rose Names Dr. Carolyn Stefanco as 11th President of The College

ALBANY (April 14, 2014) -- The board of trustees of The College of Saint Rose today proudly announced the selection of Dr. Carolyn J. Stefanco of Decatur, Ga., to serve as the 11th president of the College.

The board voted to approve the unanimous recommendation of the presidential search committee that Stefanco be offered the position. Currently, Stefanco is vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, a position she has held since 2010.

Stefanco will assume her new role July 1, 2014. She succeeds Dr. Margaret Kirwin, who has served as interim president since July 2013.

“We are extremely pleased to name Dr. Carolyn Stefanco as the 11th president of The College of Saint Rose. A recognized scholar and educator, her proven success is deep and broad, from her recent academic leadership at Agnes Scott College in Georgia to creating new initiatives and moving them forward at Cal Poly, many of which continue today. Her international experience in London and as a Fulbright Scholar in Croatia will enhance what Saint Rose is already doing to globalize the campus. As we approach the College’s 100-year anniversary, the entire Saint Rose community welcomes Carolyn as the College takes its place on the national stage,” said Judith Calogero, trustee and co-chair of the presidential search committee.

Continue to read the College's press release HERE.

The College of Saint Rose was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1920, led by Sister Mary Blanche Rooney in collaboration with Superior General Sister Agnes Rossiter; Provincial Superior Sister Mary Margaret Collins; Monsignor Joseph A. Delaney of the Albany (NY) Diocese; and NYS Assistant Commissioner of Education Dr. Augustus S. Downing. The first faculty consisted of Sister Rose of Lima Dolan, Sister John Joseph Moran, Sister Rita Agnes Casey, Sister Rosina Quillinan, Rev. Vincent O'Brien, Msgr. John Slattery and Miss Helen B. Carey.

Today, The College of Saint Rose boasts over 5,000 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. The College has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the "best Northern Universities."

Presidents of The College of Saint Rose

1920-1949       Bishop Edmund Gibbons

1949-1953       Sister Rose of Lima Dolan, CSJ

1953-1966       Sister Catherine Francis Soulier, CSJ

1966-1970       Sister Margaret Keeshan, CSJ (Sister Clarence Paul, CSJ)

1970-1972       Alfonse R. Miele

1972-1973       Sister Therese Lynch, CSJ (interim Acting President)

1973-1983       Thomas Manion

1983-1996       Louis Vaccaro

1996-2012       R. Mark Sullivan

July 1, 2012    David Szczerbacki

July 2013-April 2014     Margaret Kirwin (interim Acting President)

April 2014       Carolyn J. Stefanco

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who have led The College of Saint Rose include the following (left to right): Sister Blanch Rooney, co-founder, 1920; Sister Rose of Lima Dolan, president, 1949-1953; Sister Catherine Francis Soulier, president, 1953-1966; Sister Margaret Keehsan, president, 1966-1970; Sister Therese Lynch, acting president, 1972-1973.