John F. Kucia interview

For 34 years Dr. John F. Kucia served Xavier University, first as the Director of Alumni Relations from 1984 to 1986, then as Assistant to the President from 1986 to 1990, and finally as Administrative Vice President from 1990 to 2018. During these years, he worked closely with five different Xavier presidents and played a key role in transforming Xavier’s campus. In addition, Kucia oversaw Xavier’s intercollegiate athletic program through a period of growth. In this interview, he discusses the five Xavier presidents with whom he worked, identifying the challenges and achievements of each. He talks about the land acquisitions, building projects, and facilities development that occurred during his tenure, including the Cintas Center, the University Station and the Health United Building. He also discusses the success of Xavier’s athletic programs and the vital role that sports play in university life. Kucia earned a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania and is co-author of the book Leadership in Balance: New Habits of the Mind, which he talks about in the interview. He currently serves as Xavier’s Vice President Emeritus