LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. — Siena College alumnus Kenneth Paulli, OFM, has been appointed executive assistant to President Kevin Mullen, OFM, president.
Kenneth, who holds a doctorate in education, will assist Kevin on all matters at the college, with special attention to the mission of advancing Siena’s Franciscan and Catholic traditions.
“As an alumnus, a tenured faculty member, and former chair of the Education Department, Ken brings a wealth of talent and commitment to this new task,” said Kevin.
He will continue to serve on the faculty of Siena’s nationally-accredited teacher education program.
Originally from Westchester County, N.Y., outside of New York City, Kenneth graduated from Siena College in 1982 with a bachelor of science degree in marketing and management.
Siena was more than just a school for business, science or liberal arts, he said. “It was a very special place for discovering the many ways people respond to St. Francis of Assisi.”
After graduation, Kenneth taught high school, then joined the Franciscan Order, earned a master’s degree in theology from the Washington Theological Union, and was ordained a priest.
He served parishes in Connecticut and New Jersey, and received his doctoral degree from Columbia University’s Religion & Education program in New York City. His dissertation, which examined religious rituals through an education lens, focused on the theory of multiple intelligences.
Kenneth joined the Siena College faculty in 1999, and has taught introductory and senior-level education courses. As chair of the department, he recently accepted an award of appreciation from the statewide association of Advocacy for Gifted and Talented Education. On Nov. 17, he received a TrustCo Bank Award for Excellence.
In addition to his ministries of teaching, research, writing, and administrative leadership, he has given numerous parish missions and retreats in the United States and Canada. He also shares his gifts as a presider and preacher regularly with nearby parishes.
— Janet Gianopoulos is director of news services at Siena College.