From Monday, April 4 to Friday, April 8, the Holy Family University community celebrated the Inauguration of President Anne Prisco, Ph.D. with Inauguration Week, a five-day celebration of the University community and its Mission. Dr. Prisco was installed as the University's sixth president on Friday, April 8 at the Northeast Philadelphia Campus.
Holy Family University Magazine spoke with President Prisco about Inauguration Week and her reflections on her first year as President of the University.
When HFU Magazine last spoke with you, you had yet to begin your tenure as the President of the University. Regarding your first year here, what are some of your proudest accomplishments?
What I am proudest of is that people here are willing to speak up, listen, and act. I have been able to get acquainted with the Holy Family University community and with their guidance change policies, practices, and procedures in ways that can help people move forward and do the work that they want to do.
What was something about Holy Family University or the HFU community that you did not expect or anticipate but turned out to be a positive surprise once you began serving as President?
I would say the willingness of people to exchange ideas and to be open to communicating. Generally, I’ve found that’s true about Philadelphia—people in Philly actually talk to and engage with each other! At Holy Family University, I have met so many people who work here who truly live by the words of Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, Frances Siedliska, foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth: “When the Lord calls, we must answer wholeheartedly.”
What do you think Inauguration Week meant to the Holy Family University community?
For the Holy Family University community, I think Inauguration Week was a time for the community to shine with lots of attention and activity and to appreciate each other for the excellent work that we do.
Looking ahead, what do you hope to see in the next year for the University?
I hope to build on our success in many of the initiatives and areas that we identified this year. We’re starting new academic programs, rethinking how we schedule classes, and introducing new sports teams and clubs. I’m looking forward to seeing movement on all the things that strengthen us as an academic institution and as a community.