Trustees Appoint Provost Weiner, Ph.D., Interim President of Assumption University
The Chair of Assumption University’s Board of Trustees, Francis J. Bedard, Esq., CPA ’81, today announced that the Board has appointed Provost Greg Weiner, Ph.D., as interim president of the University, effective tomorrow, Wednesday, April 13, to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of University leadership. President Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., will assume the role of President Emeritus and provide support and guidance to Dr. Weiner until his retirement on June 30.
“The University’s Board of Trustees are thankful to Dr. Weiner for accepting this appointment as interim president of Assumption University,” said Chairman Bedard. “Among Dr. Weiner’s first tasks will be to collaborate with members of the campus community, with President Cesareo’s guidance, to chart a course forward for the University during this interim period that ensures continuity of leadership and University operations as the presidential search commences. The Trustees again express their gratitude to President Cesareo for his 15 years of tireless leadership to the students, alumni, faculty, and staff of the University.”
“Dr. Weiner has been a trusted advisor since he was appointed provost and academic vice president in May 2019 and I am pleased that the Trustees chose an internal candidate as the interim leader of the University, which will expedite the transition process,” said President Cesareo. “I am confident that Dr. Weiner will provide steady and informed leadership as the University continues a national search for its next president. With a common commitment to strengthening the University and Assumption experience, I look forward to collaborating with Dr. Weiner in the coming months.”
“I am honored by the opportunity to help lead Assumption into a new chapter of our shared story and I join our Trustees in thanking President Cesareo for his leadership of the University and his counsel to me as provost,” said Dr. Weiner. “During this interim period, we will continue to enhance the student experience, define our Catholic identity in educational terms, and invest in liberal arts, pre-professional and professional programs to prepare our students to make meaningful contributions to society and their fields upon graduation.”
Dr. Weiner began his teaching career at Assumption in 2011 as an assistant professor of political science. Since that time, he has been appointed associate professor, then provost. He also serves as a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and is founding director of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Center for Scholarship and Statesmanship at the University. In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Weiner has served as an officer of the Representative Faculty Senate; chaired the Standing Committee on General Education; participated in committees on the revision of the core curriculum; and contributed to Assumption’s restructuring from a college to university. In recognition of his dedication to Assumption students, Dr. Weiner received the Student Government Association’s first “Above and Beyond” award for faculty. He is also the recipient of the University’s Paul Ziegler Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarship.
Prior to his service to Assumption students, Dr. Weiner amassed a considerable – and influential – presence in Washington, D.C., advising leaders at the highest level of American government. He served as president and founder of Content Communications, LLC, a political and public relations firm that advised members of the President’s Cabinet, governors, and members of Congress; as communications director and policy advisor for Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska; as campaign manager for a U.S. Senate candidate from Texas; and as deputy press secretary and staff assistant to U.S. Senators Lloyd Bentsen and Bob Kreuger. He also served as a reporter for the Williamson County Sun newspaper in Georgetown, TX.
Dr. Weiner earned a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas, Austin; a master’s degree in liberal studies from Georgetown University; and a Ph.D. in government from Georgetown University.