The Wagner College Board of Trustees announced today the appointment of Angelo Araimo as the 20th president of Wagner College. Araimo has served as the interim president since October 2021.
“We are fortunate that the best candidate for president was already a member of the college leadership team,” said Joan Nicolais, trustee chair. “Angelo was the right person to step into the role as interim president and he has exceeded our highest expectations. We have extensive goals and great confidence that Angelo will lead the college forward.”
Araimo joined Wagner in 1994 as the director of admissions. He ascended through key leadership roles including dean of admissions and financial aid, vice president for enrollment and planning, and vice president for advancement. The college achieved a 50% growth in enrollment and record increases in retention and diversity under his leadership.
As the head of advancement, he oversaw eight consecutive record-breaking Day of Giving fundraising initiatives, including the monumental 2021 event that raised more than $1 million in 24 hours.
Nicolais added that Wagner College faculty have expressed overwhelming support for Araimo as the board has been evaluating his progress, describing him as enthusiastic, pragmatic and well-respected. Following his interim appointment last October, the faculty issued a resolution that said, “We regard [Angelo Araimo] as a person of the highest integrity. His implementation of initiatives to advance the mission and vision of the college has established a strong foundation to build dynamic growth in challenging times. He has earned our friendship, respect, and confidence.”
Lori Weintrob, professor and director of the college’s Holocaust Center, said “President Araimo’s openness and empathy will allow new ideas to flow into campus and take us to the next level. He is a leader who sees the strengths in other people and elevates them to lead, so this moment isn’t just for him but for all of us.”
President Araimo shared, “I’m grateful for the support of the faculty, and for the board’s faith in me. Over the past six months, we’ve been able to complete the search for a new provost, restructure our finances to allow for growth and significant campus improvements, record the highest annual-fund totals in memory, and achieve re-accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The MSCHE team was impressed by our focus on student success, and that is because we are all working together on a common goal. It is an honor to serve alongside every student, employee and alumnus.”
“The future is bright,” said Nicolais. “As the world is changing rapidly, President Araimo brings a track record of success in enrollment and fundraising along with deep relationships with our partners on Staten Island and beyond. He understands what it takes to lead a college in these times.”
Araimo has served under three past Wagner College presidents and was a central leader through pivotal times in Wagner’s history. He led Wagner College admissions through the financial crisis of 2008, successfully maintaining enrollment while also increasing revenue. Wagner’s annual fund and endowment have each reached all-time highs through his fundraising efforts, and he was senior vice president through the Covid-19 pandemic and Wagner’s safe return to campus.
This past February, Araimo formed a steering committee to begin work on a new comprehensive strategic plan that will overlap with a multi-year renovation of residence halls and the expansion of academic programs.
Prior to working at Wagner, Araimo was director of admissions and an instructor in history at St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn. He earned his B.A. and M.A. in history from St. John’s University, where he was also a teaching fellow in their doctoral program in modern world history.
