By Alex Robinson
Vaughn College found a new president this week.
Dr. Sharon DeVivo was chosen to lead the aeronautics and technology school, at 86-01 23rd Ave. in East Elmhurst.
DeVivo is no stranger to Vaughn College, where she has worked in various capacities at the school, most recently as a senior vice president, for almost 20 years.
The school was founded in 1932 and provides instruction to more than 1,700 students in technology, engineering, management and aviation programs.
DeVivo joined the college in 1996 as a communications director and became a vice president in 1999.
Having grown up in a U.S. Navy family, she said she felt an instant connection when she joined the school, as 10 percent of the student population has served in the military.
“There was a click with the community. I jumped in with both feet. I loved the students, staff and faculty immediately,” she said in an interview.
Born in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, DeVivo spent much of her childhood moving across the world since her father was in the Navy.
She ended up back in New York in 1989, as her parents were originally from Long Island. She graduated from SUNY Albany before receiving her master’s in public communications from Fordham University and her doctorate of education from the University of Pennsylvania.
She began her career as director of public relations at the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University and then worked at Fordham University as director of communications before joining Vaughn College.
DeVivo replaced Dr. John Fitzpatrick, who served as president for 17 years.
Under his stint, the college saw a new residence built for students and the addition of a number of programs and degrees.
“[He] brought us to this moment in our history where we have experienced a transformation that will ensure our long-term growth,” DeVivo said.
The new president said she hopes to diversify the college’s programs going forward, which are predominantly tied to the aviation industry.
“The students are really what makes this place so incredible,” she said. “A lot of the students know when they come here that this is the field they want to be in. We don’t have people wondering what program they want to be in until the sophomore year.”
Before she became president, DeVivo’s accomplishments included raising more than $50 million for the school. She said she wants to continue to increase the school’s fund-raising efforts.
“It’s a great institution, a great hidden gem in Queens,” she said of her school. “We’re working really hard to provide the best educational experience to students we possibly can. That’s the penultimate goal.”
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
