John Cabot University has officially welcomed Antonia Maioni as its seventh president, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the American liberal arts institution in Rome. She officially assumed office on July 1, 2026, succeeding Franco Pavoncello after more than 20 years of leadership. The appointment also makes Maioni the first woman to lead the university in its history.
Born and raised in Montreal, Maioni arrives at JCU after a distinguished academic career at McGill University, where she served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts from 2016 to 2021, becoming the first woman to head the institution’s largest faculty. During her tenure, she promoted academic innovation, expanded international partnerships, and helped strengthen collaborations with Italian institutions, including Sapienza University of Rome and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies campus in Bologna.
A political scientist specializing in comparative public policy and health policy, Maioni has also held research and visiting appointments at Harvard University and Johns Hopkins SAIS. She earned her undergraduate degree from Université Laval, a master's degree from Carleton University, and a PhD in political science from Northwestern University. Fluent in English, French, and Italian, she holds both Canadian and Italian citizenship.
In her first message to the university community, President Maioni described it as an honor to lead John Cabot University into its next phase of growth. She emphasized the institution’s commitment to a student-centered liberal arts education inspired by Rome’s international character while pledging to build on the strong foundation established by her predecessor.
Founded in 1972, John Cabot University has grown into one of Italy’s leading American universities, enrolling approximately 1,900 degree-seeking and study abroad students from more than 80 countries. Under Maioni’s leadership, the university aims to further strengthen its international profile while continuing to promote academic excellence, global engagement, and interdisciplinary education.
