ROME – A distinguished career in Canada, marked by prestigious appointments and top-level academic achievements. Then, one day, a turning point: accepting a new challenge that would take her from Montréal to Rome. Antonia Maioni (in the pic above), Italian-Canadian professor and researcher born and raised in Montréal, took office two weeks ago as the seventh president of John Cabot University (JCU): she’s the first woman to lead the American international university in the Italian capital.
Bilingual in English and French, and fluent in Italian, Professor Maioni has held international positions, including William Lyon Mackenzie King Professor at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and Fellow at Johns Hopkins SAIS in Bologna. She was also a longtime pillar of Montréal’s prestigious McGill University, where she served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts (2016–2021), becoming the first woman to lead the university’s largest faculty. She also held the positions of Associate Vice-Principal for Research and International Relations and Director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada.
Since July 1, she has been living in Italy. She accepted the position offered by JCU, bringing with her not only extensive academic expertise in political science and social and health policy, but also the commitment that has always defined her career: making academic research accessible to everyone.
We interviewed her via video call, but her warm smile instantly erased the oceanic distance between Toronto and Rome.
President Maioni, what convinced you to accept the leadership of John Cabot University in Rome, precisely when your career in Canada was at its peak?
“I was drawn to the idea of working at an international university, with students from all over the world, which is exactly what John Cabot University is. This environment is very different from the Canadian one I was immersed in: there, I was part of a research university, with a stronger focus on scientific disciplines. Here, we are mainly an undergraduate institution with programs in the humanities and business. The fields of study are different, but so is the type of student body. At JCU, students are at the beginning of their university journey, and I would like to provide them with the support they need. I strongly believe in an educational model that puts the individual student at the center.”
You are also the first woman to lead the university. Does that carry a special meaning for you?
“Yes, it is true. I am the first woman to lead this prestigious American university in Rome, and it is a challenge. But it is not the first time I have reached such a milestone. Before coming here, I held a similar role at McGill University, where I was also the first woman to serve in that position.”
What kind of environment did you find at JCU?
“I found a close-knit, welcoming, inclusive, and tolerant community — something that can be difficult to find in large universities and major metropolitan areas. Here, everyone feels part of the same team: professors, students, and staff alike. Each person shares the goal of building a positive environment and contributing to the success of this university, which feels like one big family.”
What would you like to achieve as President of JCU?
“I would like to open this university to the world and make the world aware that we are here. it starts with our name: Giovanni Caboto, the Italian explorer known for the 1497 expedition that took him to the shores of North America, contributing to European exploration of the continent. We need to strenghten our presence in both North America and the broader international community. We are well known in Rome, where our faculty and students — many of whom are international — are deeply integrated into the local community. Now we need to become better known abroad, particularly in North America.”
What would you like for your students? What advice would you give to those beginning their studies today, at a time of rapid technological change?
“Be as flexible as possible, because the tools you learn today may no longer be relevant five years from now — perhaps even sooner. The key is to build strong foundations: learn how to think critically, communicate effectively, and analyze problems in depth. I would also encourage students to choose a university like ours, not a ‘diploma factory,’ but an institution that supports students not only throughout their academic journey, but also in their personal growth. That makes all the difference.”
You are Italian-Canadian. What are your family’s origins?
“All four of my grandparents were Italian. On my father’s side, my grandfather was from Abruzzo and my grandmother from the Marche region. On my mother’s side, everyone was from the Marche, including my mother, who was born in the province of Fermo, studied in Italy, and later became a teacher. She was the one who passed on to me my passion for teaching — and, of course, my love for Italy.”
So, do you feel comfortable and at home in Rome?
“Apart from the heat these days… absolutely. It is a magnificent and extraordinarily fascinating city. As the Caput Mundi, Rome is home to countless international organizations, making it particularly attractive both for faculty and students. And for me personally, it represents a reconnection with my Italian heritage, with my deepest roots.”
Antonia Maioni is following in the footsteps of Giovanni Caboto, along the same routes connecting Europe and Canada — but in the opposite direction. A new challenge that also feels like a homecoming.
A global academic model with 16 degree programs taught in English
ROME – John Cabot University in Rome offers an academic model inspired by the U.S. higher education system, with 16 Bachelor of Arts degree programs entirely taught in English. Comparable to a three-year bachelor’s degree in the European higher education system, the program requires the completion of 120 credits and stands out for its interdisciplinary and flexible approach, allowing students to personalize their academic path by adding a second field of study through a Double Major or Double Degree option, as well as up to three areas of specialization (Minors). The University also offers two graduate programs: a Master’s degree in Art History and a Master’s degree in International Affairs, both comparable to European master’s-level programs.
(For further details about the academic programs, click here)
JCU’s academic offering spans a wide range of disciplines, from Arts and Design to Computer Science, from Economics and Marketing to International Affairs and Political Science, as well as Communication, Languages and Literatures, Italian Studies, and Finance. The programs are characterized by a strong international focus, small class sizes, hands-on learning opportunities, internships, and close connections with the professional world.
A distinctive feature of the University is its liberal arts approach, which combines specialized knowledge with a broad, multidisciplinary education. This model encourages the development of critical thinking, communication skills, and intercultural competencies. Students also have the opportunity to participate in study-abroad programs through a network of partner universities in the United States and other countries.
The academic paths are designed to prepare students for careers in fields including business, finance, diplomacy, international organizations, technology, communication, the arts, publishing, and research.
For information about the academic programs: Phone: +39 06 681 91 200; Email: orientamento@johncabot.edu
To browse John Cabot University’s brochure, click here
