Step into the newly accessible Adams Hall and head downstairs to meet the new Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Life, Richard Greco.  Greco was hired this January by American International College (AIC) to oversee the Student Life department, Residence Life, CASAA (Center for Accessibility Services and Academic Accommodations), Dexter Health and Counseling, and the APEX program.  

Responsible for a wide range of departmental duties, Greco feels confident in both his ability and background to help AIC achieve a new sense of glory. Greco was a former academic Dean at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). Greco also started as an adjunct professor at AIC in 2012; he taught in the APEX program before becoming a full-time professor in 2015. He has a strong management background that he believes affords him a strong skill set that some administrators in higher education don’t always have when they start in their roles.  

“I’m hugely passionate about AIC because this is where I did my undergrad,” Greco said, recalling times he was a human biology major and a commuter, trying to find parking before classes. 

Greco discussed some new programs that are expected to roll out in the fall 2024 semester. One program is called “Grow You,” where people from Springfield and surrounding areas can earn better job skills and enhance their resumes by participating in the Alcohol and Drug Addiction program certificate or educational programs for Para-educators.  

Another program will be called “AIC Hives” a Living Learning Community (LLC) for incoming classes only. AIC Hives will be designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and student life, this includes students within their shared majors living together or on the same floor. This program will also give students the skills they need to succeed in their major at AIC and in their lives after AIC.  

Greco also mentioned that this program will include undecided students and will be especially useful for students who come to AIC who remain undecided about their major. “[U]ndecided students oftentimes don’t find a connection,” Greco said. “They don’t have the same instructors. They don’t see the same students. They’re not connected to the [AIC] community. Because of that, we oftentimes lose undecided students after their first semester.”  

 “I’m all about equity,” Greco said. Striving to bring the change that AIC is craving, Greco hopes that by asking the hard questions, like how can AIC help to break down the barriers that are preventing students from succeeding? These questions will facilitate beneficial, useful skill sets, and resources that students can easily access. 

Beyond that, Greco hopes to bridge the gap between the AIC administration and the students by opening the lines of communication that have been lacking for the past two years. He meets with the Student Government Association (SGA) to listen to them as they bring forward issues that the student body has. Greco also makes it a point to then bring these issues back to the higher administration to make them aware of students’ concerns. 

Swastik Chuke, Student Body President, spoke about his perspective on the meetings with Greco, saying that “these… little meetings have been really helpful for these big events and big changes that we want.” 

Chuke later talked about how Greco extending an olive branch on the administrative side has led to improvements, like increased communication and frequent Town Hall discussions. 

“Communication between the administration, SGA, and the students has been the best thing,” Chuke added. He gives Greco credit for opening up new lines of communication, and added that Greco has facilitated “the most communication that’s happened in the three years I’ve been in SGA.”

Greco also plans on bringing the Student-Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC) into the fold of monthly meetings and being able to get their perspective on issues the student athletes have.  

Combining all of this, Greco’s most prized work that he is excited to roll out is a bi-weekly/monthly email blast called “AIC Student Rundown,” that aims on highlighting events on campus, reviewing important information, offering AIC employee spotlights, and acknowledging student concerns while also letting the AIC community know what steps are being taken to solve them. 

When asked about how he plans on utilizing his background and his role to help the AIC community, Greco said, “I like to see my job as [answering the question,] how can we make what’s happening in the classroom relate to the student life experience? How do we bring those together?”  

It is clear that Greco shows passion, determination, and a desire to see AIC grow into the institution that anyone would be proud to hold a degree from.