American International College appoints Nicolle Cestero as first woman president
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The American International College (AIC) Board of Trustees announced the appointment of the school's 13th president on Monday.
Nicolle Cestero, who has served as AIC's Interim President since March 2024, was unanimously selected as the first female president in the institution's 140-year history. Cestero joined AIC in 2011, serving as Chief of Staff, Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Vice President prior to her current role.
American International College students graduate in 140th Commencement ceremony
As Chief Operating Officer, Cestero worked as a senior advisor to the previous president, Hubert Benitez, and managed the school's legal affairs and day-to-day operations. She was a member of the President's Cabinet and all school board committees.
'Nicolle Cestero has demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment, and strategic vision throughout her time at AIC,' said Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Saremi. 'The Board is confident that her knowledge of the College, along with her deep understanding of higher education and operational excellence, will continue to move AIC forward. Her appointment is a historic and well-earned milestone for the institution.'
Following Benitez's resignation, Cestero was appointed interim president, expanding many of AIC's operations into a new era of growth. In November 2024, she led the launch of 'Pathway to Progress,' a business plan outlining updates to the college in the coming years. This included a revised academic portfolio, expanded degree offerings, and streamlined athletic programming.
While Cestero is the first woman to be appointed president of AIC, she is the second woman to serve as interim president, with the first being Edith Scott Magna in 1946. Her new position will officially begin on July 1, 2025.
'It's truly an honor to serve as president of American International College, an institution that has had such a transformative impact on my life and the lives of so many others,' Cestero said. 'I'm grateful to the Board of Trustees for their confidence and support. I'm excited to work alongside our dedicated faculty, staff, and community partners to continue advancing AIC's mission of access, opportunity, and preparing students to achieve their goals.'
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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