American International College Names Nicolle Cestero Its 13th President
SPRINGFIELD — The American International College (AIC) board of trustees announced that Nicolle Cestero has been unanimously selected as the 13th president of the 140-year-old institution. She began serving as interim president in March 2024, following her tenure as executive vice president, chief operating officer, and chief of staff.
“Nicolle Cestero has demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment, and strategic vision throughout her time at AIC,” said Kevin Saremi, board of trustees chair. “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.”
As interim president, Cestero led the launch of Pathway to Progress, a wide-ranging business plan introduced in November 2024 to guide the college’s direction in the coming years. The plan outlines significant updates to AIC’s operations, including a revised academic portfolio, expanded degree offerings, new enrollment strategies, and streamlined athletic programming. In tandem with this work, she provided focused leadership on long-term financial sustainability, strengthened donor engagement, and initiatives that enhance the student experience through access, inclusion, and academic success.
“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,” she 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.”
During her time as chief operating officer, Cestero managed the day-to-day operations of the college, served as a senior advisor to the president, and played a key role in implementing AIC’s strategic plan. She oversaw legal affairs, supported institutional initiatives, and was a member of the president’s cabinet and all board committees.
Before joining AIC in 2011, she began her professional career in New York City at the Council on Foreign Relations, a leading non-partisan think tank focused on global affairs.
She holds an MBA from AIC, a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology from the University of West Florida, and bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mount Holyoke College. She is certified as a professional in human resources and holds the certified professional designation from the Society for Human Resource Management.
Cestero’s appointment, effective July 1, 2025, marks the first time a woman has been named president of AIC since its founding in 1885. She is the second woman to serve as interim president; the first was Edith Scott Magna in 1946.
As noted in her BusinessWest 40 Under Forty profile in 2019, Cestero begins each day with a simple goal: “stay positive, focus on what’s really important, and work hard.” She emphasizes that maintaining perspective and concentrating on meaningful goals helps to drive impact. That mindset — grounded in optimism and purpose — continues to guide her leadership as she works toward a strong and sustainable future for AIC.