New President Named For Caldwell University In North Jersey

CALDWELL, NJ — Dr. Jeffrey Senese, who served recently as the president of St. Leo University in Florida, will become the 10th college president of Caldwell University next month, the college announced Friday.

"Following a comprehensive national search, the Sisters of St. Dominic have unanimously approve the recommendation of the Caldwell University Board of Trustees to appoint Jeffrey D. Senese, Ph.D. as its tenth president," the school announced.

The outgoing president, Dr. Matthew Whelan, who was inaugurated in 2021, is leaving when his contract ends on June 30.

Senese departed St. Leo in Florida last year following years of turbulence at the on-line school, said a report in Inside Higher Ed.

Below is the university's press release:

Following a comprehensive national search, the Sisters of St. Dominic have unanimously approved the recommendation of the Caldwell University Board of Trustees to appoint Jeffrey D. Senese, Ph.D. as its tenth president.

Dr. Senese will join the Catholic Dominican institution on July 10, 2023, and brings extensive experience in higher education leadership to Caldwell including having most recently served as President of Saint Leo University in Florida. Senese also served as a Provost and Vice president for Academic Affairs in several institutions including Saint Leo University, Cardinal Stritch University and Johnson and Wales University. Senese was also a faculty member at Indiana University and the University of Baltimore for more than a decade, has engaged in extensive funded national research and has been widely published. He has extensive international work experiences in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and South Africa.

"I am so very thrilled to be joining the wonderful Caldwell University community,” said Dr. Senese. “I am also looking forward to being a servant leader to the students, faculty, staff and alumni communities. I see amazing potential for the future of Caldwell University!"

“In Dr. Senese, Caldwell University has found an innovative, strategic and values-based leader,” said Brian J. Aloia, Esq., Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees. “His accomplishments demonstrate that he works collaboratively and successfully with multiple groups of stakeholders, and his passion for Caldwell’s mission, heritage and story was apparent from our first interaction. Our students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and the community will benefit greatly from Dr. Senese’s presence, poise and experience.”

Senese earned his bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University, a master of arts degree from Indiana State University and a Ph.D. in criminal justice/research methods/statistics from Michigan State University. He and his wife Alicia have two children.

Senese will succeed Dr. Matthew Whelan who is departing the University upon the conclusion of his contract June 30, 2023 following three years of service.

Caldwell University is a four-year Catholic university in the Dominican tradition, founded in 1939 by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell, New Jersey, voted one of the most beautiful downtown communities in New Jersey and the state’s #1 Small College Town. Caldwell is one of the most affordable private universities in New Jersey and was named a Regional Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report for 2023.

Approximately 2,000 students are enrolled each year, with nearly 25 percent residing in one of three residence halls, many of whom compete on one of Caldwell’s 16 NCAA Division II or intercollegiate teams, including the emerging sports of acrobatics & tumbling and sprint football.

Caldwell is a United States Department of Education-designated Hispanic Serving Institution. The University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral academic programs including Art Therapy, Esports Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, Nursing, and Applied Behavior Analysis along with many traditional majors and programs. The undergraduate core curriculum emphasizes the liberal arts and sciences with a mission to educate students to become citizens who pursue truth and contribute to a just society. Core values of respect, integrity, community and excellence define the Caldwell experience. Learn more at www.caldwell.edu/.