This semester, John Cabot University welcomes Lisa M. Guido as the new Dean of Students. With years of experience in student affairs, Lisa Guido is passionate about working with students and bridging the gap between academics and student life. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with her for an interview on behalf of The Matthew.

Spotlight

By Kayla Muller / Matthew staff | Edited by Kayla Muller

First and foremost, you have quite an impressive background in your field. Can you share a bit about yourself and what brought you to John Cabot?  

I grew up in Delavan, Wisconsin, a small town in the Midwest, where education played a central role in my life, as both of my parents were educators. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I worked in museum education before transitioning to teaching high school Italian. 

During my junior year of college, I studied abroad in Florence, which ignited my passion for international experiences. I later returned to Italy to pursue my master’s degree. It was then that I realized my ideal path was to combine my love for education with my passion for global experiences. 

At that time, international education wasn’t widely recognized as a career field, but I began to explore opportunities. I worked with programs in Northern Italy before joining SAI Programs in 2009, a partner of John Cabot University based in Rome. Over the next 15 years, I advanced from Program Coordinator to Vice President of Program Services, overseeing European operations for study abroad students. 

Throughout my career with SAI, I worked closely with John Cabot University, with my office always near the campus. However, I eventually reached a point where I sought more growth, new challenges, and, most importantly, the opportunity to reconnect with students. In my previous role, I managed a team of about thirty people across Europe, but I had limited direct interaction with students. 

I am now thrilled to be part of an academic institution of excellence, where I can witness students excel in diverse areas, from community service to athletics. 

Building off of that, John Cabot has a very internationally diverse student body. How has your professional background shaped how you approach student leadership, and how will that carry over to this university specifically? 

Having held leadership positions and witnessed countless students participate in both short-term and long-term international experiences, I believe that engagement is key to student leadership. I want to create opportunities for students to engage wherever they may be in their personal journey, while also helping them reach a deeper understanding of themselves. To be an effective leader, you first need to be comfortable with who you are and have a clear sense of your values. 

Attending an international university pushes students to understand themselves on a deeper level because they’re constantly being questioned and challenged about their identity. For many, university is the first time they’re away from home and family, offering a chance to explore parts of themselves that they may not have had the space to before. This is a unique period for both discovery and growth. 

John Cabot University offers an exceptional environment for this. Here, students aren’t part of a homogenous group. They work on projects with people from diverse backgrounds, which challenges their perspectives. The experience of getting to know people as individuals—people you actually interact with, not just those you hear about on the news or read about in books—is what shapes students into better leaders, especially in an international context. 

What are your goals for this position, and do you have any specific programs or initiatives in mind to foster them?  

The Dean of Students office, part of the Student Affairs division, covers a wide range of areas within the university. It was restructured just before I started, and we now oversee student engagement, community standards, residential life, orientation, and health and safety.  

My primary goal is to gain a deep understanding of the student body—what their needs are and how we can best support them. I want to ensure that we implement the new structure in a way that effectively addresses student needs while also raising the bar of excellence for everyone. 

What’s something you’re looking forward to the most in the upcoming semesters? How will John Cabot be different from your previous positions? 

I’m excited to strengthen the connection between student affairs and the academic side of the university. As a lifelong learner, I deeply value collaboration with faculty and experts across various fields—not just for my personal growth, but for the development of the entire office. I am already exploring ways to tap into the wealth of knowledge available on campus to enhance our work. 

I’m also eager to connect more with the student body, particularly in areas I haven’t been able to engage with in previous roles. I look forward to participating in community service projects, attending sports events, and sharing in the excitement, pride, and enthusiasm students bring to their accomplishments outside the classroom. This role is especially exciting because we work with degree-seeking students, and I can’t wait to witness their growth and success during their time with us. 

On a more personal note, what are some practices or hobbies that help you balance such a demanding role?  

The more I reflect on balancing a busy schedule—juggling deadlines while addressing unexpected issues or crises—the more I realize how much being a student-athlete shaped my ability to manage time and cope with stress. I was a swimmer for many years, an individual sport that requires a lot of time spent alone with your thoughts. That discipline was foundational for me, and it’s something I’ve carried forward in life. 

Now, as a mother of young children, I’ve gained even more perspective on where to focus my energy. Parenting helps you distinguish between what truly matters and what might be unnecessary. Little children also don’t understand much about the past and have a hard time understanding the future, so it has really launched me into being in the present and the now. Becoming a mother has been a real gift in that sense. 

I prioritize getting a workout in twice a week, and I walk to work when I am not dropping my kids off at school, which my partner and I coordinate by taking turns. Having a supportive partner is key—someone to share the load, both mentally and physically, as you navigate the demands of work and home life. 

I also make it a point to practice gratitude and reflection at least once a week, if not daily. Recently, I’ve become very intentional about the type of information I consume. I focus on reading or listening to content that challenges me to think critically or sparks curiosity. In many ways, we are shaped by what we surround ourselves with, and I believe that curating the information we consume is essential for maintaining a positive outlook. It also equips me with tools to solve problems and stay up to date on trends, especially with the incoming generations of students. 

Finally, I have learned the art of letting go of stuff beyond my control and the small stuff within my control. I really hone in on what is important and prioritize. This means that if my house is messy or I have to delay a less important task, that is okay. I also have really tried to focus on slowing it down and silencing and putting away the phone. Smart phones can be such a distraction that can lead to inefficient busy work that takes away from the important stuff. When I started working there were no smart phones. We had landlines and email and that was plenty to get the job done effectively.   

Lastly, what’s your advice to students as they go about their time in university? 

Each semester, make three goals. It can be something simple like learning to order a meal completely in Italian or to make a friend from another country. Check-in with yourself about your goals. Can our Student Affairs team help you to achieve your goals? Your time here will absolutely fly by, and it is helpful to have a roadmap on what you want to achieve and take advantage of all the opportunities JCU provides to engage in this community. 

Building on our previous discussion, I would encourage students to silence, turn off, or put away their phones and instead use their eyes to observe their surroundings—whether it’s the architecture, the people around them, or the diverse voices they encounter. Gaining a sense of their environment is crucial for avoiding distractions that aren’t relevant to the present moment. This time in university is transformative, and when you look back on your life, you can often pinpoint specific moments of significant growth. While going through significant growth, there can be some growing pains. It can be challenging, and not every day will be your best day, and that’s perfectly okay. My advice is to allow space for growth, which means accepting that there will be good days and bad days.  

Finally, prioritize your safety! Remember, this is an urban city, not a U.S. college campus. Stay aware of your surroundings, know your limits, and look out for your fellow students. Your lifestyle choices can influence your level of risk, so be mindful. If you ever feel in danger, don’t hesitate to call the JCU emergency number located on the back of your ID.

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You can contact Lisa by emailing deanofstudents@johncabot.edu.