Campus Ministry has made changes to their leadership team this semester. Gregg Cecconi has been named the new Director of Campus Ministry, replacing Kat O’Loughlin. New to Saint Anselm College, Cecconi began his role as director on July 5, 2023. Cecconi spoke about his previous experience in Campus Ministry and the process of filling the position here on the Hilltop.
Kat O’Loughlin has not left the Saint Anselm community and has accepted a new role within the college. Her role as Director of Campus Ministry has been filled by Gregg Cecconi, who started on July 5, 2023, and has been active in his new role ever since.
Though new to the college, Cecconi is not new to the duties of Campus Ministry. “I’ve been in a few different places since I’ve done Campus Ministry,” Cecconi said. “I started out at Eastern Michigan University, and some time in the UNC system,” giving him ministry opportunities at several colleges in North Carolina.
“Most of my experience comes from larger public institutions, [like] 24,000+ students, so I was really interested in the experience of a smaller Catholic college,” Cecconi said, which is how Saint Anselm ended up on his radar. While searching for the right fit, Cecconi said he “prayed about it, and occasionally checked which positions were open,” and waited to see where he “felt like [I] was called to be. Saint Anselm ended up being that perfect fit.
The hiring and application process for Cecconi was nothing different from the experience that any employee would go through. “There’s the application and the recommendations, the initial Zoom meetings,” Cecconi said, and coming to campus once employers were narrowing down potential employees. Cecconi got a tour and got to meet many of the staff, faculty, and students before beginning his role as director.
For those who don’t know what Campus Ministry does, Cecconi was happy to share. Cecconi said that “Campus Ministry is responsible for the pastoral care and the spiritual formation of the faculty, staff, and students at Saint Anselm.” Finding spiritual and pastoral opportunities for everyone at the college is the primary role of Campus Ministry. Cecconi’s role as director is “to make sure everyone feels supported and that we have the resources that we need,” Cecconi said.
“It’s important to take some time to learn about the community that you’re in,” Cecconi said regarding possible changes that would be made in Campus Ministry. Taking time to learn about the Saint Anselm community will allow Cecconi to determine the best way to support the community in their spiritual or pastoral journeys.
Regardless of possible changes, Cecconi said “What I hope to continue is the tradition that is already here, which is two-fold.” Saint Anselm is notorious for its strong traditions, with “celebrating and growing our Catholic identity and culture,” with the other side being “honor everyone’s unique journey because we are a Catholic college,” Cecconi said. Campus Ministry and the college itself don’t discriminate against those with different journeys of faith and open their doors to everyone.
Though Cecconi is a new member to the Saint Anselm community, an appreciation for the college did not take long for him to obtain. “I feel welcomed, and you very quickly realize that this is someplace special, and that people are passionate about the place,” Cecconi said. The love for the Hilltop was not lost on Cecconi and “I don’t take that for granted,” he shared.
Whether you are a member of the Catholic faith, or follow a different path of beliefs, Campus Ministry and Gregg Cecconi want everyone to know that they are a space that welcomes all. Even if religious beliefs don’t necessarily apply to you, “We are a place that welcomes everyone, you don’t need to fit a certain criteria” to pay a visit or have a chat, Cecconi said.
Students are encouraged to meet the new Director of Campus Ministry and use the opportunity to get to know him and the office that helps guide all members of the college community on their spiritual journeys.