Seton Hall President Visits Santo Domingo to Explore Collaboration With Universidad Católica de Santo Domingo
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Seton Hall University President Monsignor Joseph R. Reilly, S.T.L., Ph.D., led a delegation to Santo Domingo to strengthen international ties and explore new
areas of collaboration with Universidad Católica de Santo Domingo (UCSD). The visit marked an important step in expanding Seton Hall’s global partnerships,
particularly in Latin America, following the University’s recent designation as a
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in August 2025.
President Reilly, joined by Vice President for University Advancement Jon Paparsenos and Associate Provost for Partnerships and Global Initiatives Mary Kate Naatus, was invited by Rector Jose Luis de la Cruz, to engage in dialogue with UCSD leadership, including to identify synergies in academics including education, law, business, health and nursing, humanities and media and communications. Both Seton Hall and UCSD share a unique identity as diocesan Catholic universities, deeply rooted in service to the Church and committed to preparing students for lives of leadership, faith and purpose. “Our partnership with Seton Hall holds great promise,” said UCSD Rector Father José Luis de la Cruz. “Together, we can strengthen our shared Catholic mission and create new opportunities for our students and faculty to grow academically, professionally and spiritually.”
President Reilly added,
The Dominican Republic is home to the first Catholic Cathedral built in the New World, and it is a privilege for Seton Hall to deepen our connection here. As a newly recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, we are committed to building partnerships across Latin America that expand educational opportunities, advance research and enrich the student experience on both sides.
The delegation also held a special audience with Archbishop Piergiorgio Bertoldi,
Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic and diplomatic representative of the Holy
See, who was appointed by Pope Francis in May 2023. Their discussion highlighted the
vital role of Catholic higher education as a bridge for collaboration, dialogue, and
cultural exchange. In addition, Seton Hall representatives visited the Basilica of
Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia in Higüey, where they met with Church leaders including
Bishop Jesús Castro Marte, offering a profound moment of reflection on the shared
spiritual heritage that inspires Seton Hall’s Catholic mission of faith and service.
The visits were facilitated by Mario J. Paredes, president of SOMOS Health and member of the board of Seton Hall’s Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute, which plays a central role in advancing Latino leadership and scholarship at Seton Hall and in the broader community. The delegation also met with Dominican business leader Héctor Rizek, chief executive officer of Rizek Enterprises.
Seton Hall’s recent recognition as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education reflects a steady rise in Hispanic enrollment, growing from 8.7 percent of undergraduates in 2005 to 29 percent today, with graduate enrollment increasing from 4.8 percent to 14.4 percent over the same period. This milestone places Seton Hall among more than 650 colleges and universities nationwide serving over 5.6 million students. According to federal projections, Hispanic students will comprise 30 percent of the U.S. undergraduate population by 2030, highlighting the essential role HSIs will play in shaping the future of higher education.
The University has also strengthened its commitment to Latino students by joining the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) in 2024 and expanding the work of the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute. The Institute’s academic, cultural and community programs empower students to embrace Latin America’s rich heritage, pursue leadership opportunities and engage as servant leaders in a global society.
“Our growing Latino student population is both a source of strength and a call to action,” said Monsignor Reilly. “As we expand Seton Hall’s presence in Latin America, we are living out our Catholic mission to educate servant leaders who will transform their communities with knowledge, faith and compassion.”
Seton Hall’s visit to Santo Domingo represents the beginning of a promising collaboration with UCSD and other Dominican partners, reinforcing the University’s mission of academic excellence, Catholic identity and global engagement. If Seton Hall community members are interested in being involved in this partnership, please email [email protected].
Categories: Nation and World
