Dr. John Petillo, President

Dr. John J. Petillo was named president of Sacred Heart University in March 2011. Before that, he had served as interim president since October 2010 and dean of the University’s Jack Welch College of Business & Technology since March 2009. Under his leadership, Sacred Heart has experienced unprecedented growth both academically and physically. During his tenure, the University has added or begun construction on approximately 10 new buildings, not including extensive renovations at the West Campus site that formerly house GE’s worldwide headquarters. In addition, the University has added the Colleges of Education & Human Development and Nursing and the School of Computer Science & Engineering as well as many new programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The University has also greatly expanded international educational opportunities for students under Dr. Petillo.

Previous Professional Experience 

Before coming to SHU, Dr. Petillo was president of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, where he oversaw a series of reforms relating to transparency and accountability, including the adoption of Sarbanes-Oxley protocols for the university. 
 
His other professional experience includes serving as president and chief executive officer of the Newark Alliance, a private-public partnership dedicated to enhancing Newark’s quality of life; regional president of First Union Insurance Services; chief executive officer of The Tribus Companies; chairman, president and chief executive officer of CareAdvantage, Inc.; and president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. He was also chancellor and chief executive officer of Seton Hall University and Immaculate Conception Seminary; chancellor for Administration for the Archdiocese of Newark; and deputy director of Catholic Community Services.

Education

Dr. Petillo holds a bachelor’s degree in classical languages and a master’s in counseling from Seton Hall University; a professional diploma in counselor education from Fordham University; a master’s in public administration from Rutgers; a master of divinity degree in pastoral theology from the Darlington School of Theology; and a Ph.D. in counseling and personnel services from Fordham. He received honorary doctor of humane letters degrees from St. Peter’s College in New Jersey, Universidad Apec in the Dominican Republic and South Korea’s Kyoung-Gi University.

Professional Affiliations 

Dr. Petillo currently serves as chair of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC) and as a member of St. Vincent’s Medical Center Board of Trustees.

Family

Dr. Petillo is married to a board-certified internist. They have a daughter.

Follow

You can follow Dr. Petillo on Twitter, Instagram, and read his blog.