John Cabot University in Rome is pleased to announce that Dr. Antonia Maioni will become the next President of JCU. The University’s Board of Trustees voted to confirm Dr. Maioni as JCU’s seventh President, effective July 1, 2026.
Dr. Antonia Maioni
Dr. Maioni will succeed President Franco Pavoncello, who will step down in June 2026 after two decades of dedicated and inspirational leadership.
Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Dr. Maioni will be the first woman to lead JCU. She brings to the role a distinguished record of academic leadership, international engagement, and a strong commitment to student-centered education. Her experience and vision position her well to guide the University through its next chapter of growth and strategic development.
A professor of Political Science and Public Policy at McGill University in Montreal, Dr. Maioni completed her undergraduate studies at Université Laval in Quebec City, followed by an MA from Carleton University in Ottawa, and a PhD from Northwestern University.
Dr. Maioni served as McGill’s Dean of Arts from 2016 to 2021, the first woman to lead the university’s largest faculty, home to the social sciences, humanities, and liberal arts. Her tenure was marked by significant renewal, including the launch of a new School of Public Policy, and the creation of new international programs in Italy, with Sapienza University of Rome and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Bologna. She also fostered major improvements in the student experience and advanced key development efforts during McGill’s Bicentennial Campaign.
Dr. Maioni previously served as Associate Vice-Principal for Research and International Relations (2014-16), and as Director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada (2001-2011). From July 2023 to December 2024, she was the William Lyon Mackenzie King Professor at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. During her 2022-23 sabbatical year, she was a Fellow at Johns Hopkins/SAIS in Bologna.
A researcher specializing in health policy and comparative politics, Dr. Maioni has published extensively and is a frequent media commentator. She speaks English, French, and Italian, and is a citizen of Canada and Italy.
“It is an honor and a genuine pleasure to accept the invitation to lead John Cabot University into a new chapter in its history,” commented Dr. Maioni. “I enthusiastically embrace the University’s mission of providing an international liberal arts education inspired by Rome, a global hub of cultures. I look forward to joining John Cabot’s dynamic and diverse community and building on the enduring legacy of President Franco Pavoncello, as we move forward into an exciting future.”
“The Board of Trustees is thrilled to welcome Dr. Antonia Maioni as the next President of John Cabot University, said JCU Board Chair Salvatore Salibello. “Her arrival marks an exciting moment in the University’s history, and we have every confidence in her ability to strengthen and advance the JCU mission. As we look ahead with great enthusiasm to the vision and energy she will bring, we also take pride in the strong foundation built over many years. Dr. Maioni is exceptionally well-prepared to lead JCU into a vibrant new chapter while honoring the principles and traditions that have guided our university’s growth.”
“It is a great pleasure to welcome Dr. Maioni to the John Cabot University community,” said current JCU President Franco Pavoncello. “Her distinguished career, dedication to academic excellence, global outlook, and profound commitment to the liberal arts embody the values that define JCU at its very best. As I prepare to conclude my tenure, I could not imagine a more capable or inspiring leader to take the helm. I am certain that under Dr. Maioni’s leadership, the University will continue to grow in strength, purpose, and distinction.”
