The Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, OSA, PhD, ’87, has been named Vice President for Mission and Ministry, Villanova University announced Friday, Feb. 13.
Assuming the role in June, Father Scianna succeeds the Rev. Kevin DePrinzio, OSA, PhD, who was elected to the General Council of the Order of St. Augustine, where he is serving a six-year term in Rome.
As vice president, Father Scianna will oversee the University’s Office for Mission and Ministry, which is responsible for upholding Villanova’s commitment to living out its Augustinian Catholic mission across every aspect of University life. The office achieves this through a variety of service, scholarly and pastoral programs. It is also committed to promoting research and programming on contemporary issues through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. It provides faith-based opportunities for students, faculty and staff of diverse religious backgrounds.
Father Scianna brings more than 35 years of experience in ministry, education and administration to this role. He has spent five years as Senior Associate Dean of Students for Student Support at Villanova University, where he has worked closely with students facing personal and academic challenges. He has also contributed to campuswide wellness initiatives through serving on the CARE and Mental Health and Well-Being committees. Additionally, he has served as a mentor for the University’s Faith and Learning Program, a spiritual advisor for the Augustinian Leadership in Business Program and a faculty member in the Department of Education and Counseling. He was also the inaugural Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Villanova, where he oversaw anti-hazing initiatives, educational programming, staffing, budget and communications.
Before returning to Villanova, Father Scianna held leadership roles within the Augustinian Order, including serving as Prior Provincial of the Midwest Province from 2010 to 2018, where he oversaw 120 friars across the United States, Canada and Peru. In this position, he managed personnel and fundraising campaigns. Additionally, his 13 years as Headmaster of Cascia Hall Preparatory School have given him extensive experience in strategic planning and leading major capital campaigns. Even during his time away from Villanova, he remained closely connected to the University by serving on the Board of Trustees from 2008 to 2018.
“The Office of Mission and Ministry is fundamental in ensuring our Augustinian Catholic values are reflected in all that we do at Villanova,” University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, said in the University’s announcement. “With Father Scianna’s breadth of institutional, pastoral and educational experience, the Office is well-positioned to continue enriching our community and upholding the Augustinian traditions that guide and ground all we do as a University.”
Father Scianna earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Villanova University; a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union and a Master of Arts in Education from St. Xavier University, both in Chicago, Ill; and a PhD in Educational Studies from the University of Oklahoma.
The Rev. Arthur Purcaro, OSA, PhD, the current interim Vice President for Mission and Ministry, will continue to serve until Father Scianna assumes the role on June 1.
