Max Tomassini is one of the longest tenured members of the St.
John’s Global Studies team, having worked for the university in
various capacities for over 14 years. Born and raised in Rome, he’s
also lived in Egypt, Ivory Coast, Austria and Romania before
returning to his home city to join the St. John’s Rome Campus staff
in 1997. In his current role of Assistant Vice President of Europe
Programs, Max is responsible for overseeing operations of all St.
John’s programs in Europe, including the Rome and Paris campuses
and other European locations.
In reflecting on what he enjoys most about working for St.
John’s, Max focuses on the university’s Vincentian mission, which
he keeps in mind daily as he carries out his duties. “My job gives
me the opportunity to favorably impact students’ lives,” he
explains. “Helping students move forward with their education,
giving them the chance to experience new places and cultures,
giving them an opportunity that they couldn’t otherwise afford,
these are the ways that we can live out the Vincentian mission
through Global Studies.”
Max especially enjoys welcoming newcomers to his hometown, a
place that he says is epitomized in the warmth and friendliness of
its people and the enjoyment of life. To first-time travelers, he
recommends keeping an open mind and being ready to experience
differences in culture at their best and their worst. “Avoid
judging based on your own background,” he says. “Try to step away
from your normal mindset. The best part about traveling is growing
to understand how many different cultures there are out there, and
just how different we all are!”