Dr. Yianni (John) Vassiliou is a seasoned higher education leader with more than 28 years of progressive leadership experience, specializing in strategic enrollment management, student success, and fostering community partnerships that serve diverse, multilingual, and multicultural student populations.
Born and raised in Agios Konstantinos, Greece, Dr. Vassiliou moved to the United States in 1989, building his career across Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Arizona. A former professional soccer player and proud member of the U-19 Greek National Soccer Team, he brings a lifelong passion for teamwork, leadership, and community engagement — values that have shaped his approach to higher education leadership.
Dr. Vassiliou’s career spans key leadership roles at prominent institutions including Miami Dade College, St. Thomas University, the University of Miami, Montgomery County Community College, and Maricopa Community Colleges. Previously he served as Executive Director of the Office of Professional Advancement at the University of Miami, where he led the development of innovative professional and workforce education programs aligned with regional and global workforce demands.
Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Student Affairs at GateWay Community College, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Maricopa Community Colleges, and Dean of Student Affairs at Montgomery County Community College. Throughout these roles, he has consistently championed student-centered strategies, leveraged data-driven decision-making, and built collaborative partnerships that drive enrollment growth, student success, and institutional innovation.
Dr. Vassiliou holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Florida Atlantic University and is trilingual in English, Spanish, and Greek — a skillset that has supported his work with international partnerships and global student recruitment. His expertise spans strategic enrollment management, academic affairs, student success technologies, workforce development, and fiscal stewardship.
Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Vassiliou led the creation of groundbreaking international partnerships during his time at St. Thomas University, including 2+2 articulation agreements with the American Community Schools of Athens and the American College of Thessaloniki, achieving a remarkable 77% yield rate in the first year.
With a career rooted in access, student success, and innovation, Dr. Vassiliou remains dedicated to building pathways that empower students, strengthen communities, and enhance institutional sustainability.
Q1: Please tell us about yourself, your professional journey, and what led you to your new role at Albizu University.
I have had the privilege of dedicating over 28 years to higher education, progressively taking on leadership roles that have allowed me to impact students, faculty, and communities in meaningful ways. From executive leadership positions in student affairs, enrollment management and academic affairs at institutions such as Miami Dade College, the University of Miami, St. Thomas University and Broward College, to Montgomery County Community College, GateWay Community College and Maricopa County Community Colleges District, I have always been committed to fostering environments where students can succeed, and where diversity and inclusivity are not only encouraged but celebrated.
My journey has been shaped by a passion for educational access, equity, and student success, with a focus on creating systems that support the holistic growth of students. When the opportunity arose to lead Albizu University’s Miami Campus, I was drawn to its distinctive mission of preparing culturally competent professionals, especially in mental health, psychology, human services, exceptional education—fields that have always been close to my heart. Albizu’s focus on serving underserved communities and its commitment to serving all regardless of background, made this role a perfect fit for my skills, values, and vision for higher education.
Q2: Is there anything specific about Albizu University that drew you to pursue this position, and what excites you the most about the opportunity to serve as the new Miami Campus chancellor?
Albizu University’s unique emphasis on mental health, psychological sciences, human services, exceptionalities in educational settings, and cultural competence is what truly sets it apart. The university’s focus on meeting the mental health needs of all communities is critical in today’s increasingly complex social and healthcare landscape. As someone deeply committed to these areas, I am excited about the opportunity to help lead an institution that plays such a pivotal role in shaping the future of mental health professionals, particularly those with a deep understanding of cultural nuances.
What excites me most is the chance to lead Albizu into its next chapter of growth and transformation. The opportunity to enhance Albizu’s global footprint, build partnerships with international institutions, and align academic offerings with the evolving needs of both students and the workforce is a compelling challenge. Additionally, the chance to further develop Albizu’s already outstanding reputation and ensure it remains a leader in culturally competent mental health and psychological sciences education is both an honor and a responsibility I am eager to embrace.
Q3: What is your vision for the university in the next five years? In other words, are there any major changes currently on your wish list?
My vision for Albizu University’s Miami Campus over the next five years centers around growth, innovation, and global expansion. I envision Albizu becoming a recognized leader not only in mental health education but also in producing professionals who are equipped to meet the challenges of today’s global workforce, and serving the needs of our communities.
Key initiatives on my agenda include:
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- Expanding academic programs with a strong focus on meeting workforce needs in high-demand fields like behavioral health, mental health technology, sports psychology, behavioral intelligence, and bilingual healthcare, and adding relevant Professional Certificates to complement our unique programmatic offerings, and address workforce needs at all levels.
- Expanding our partnerships with local, regional, and nationwide K-12 systems, and State and/or Community Colleges to provide access and pathways to high demand fields for high school and community college students.
- Developing strategic global partnerships to expand Albizu’s reach and offer students international experiences that enhance their learning and professional networks.
- Integrating advanced student success and retention technologies to provide a comprehensive, data-driven approach that supports students from initial contact through graduation and into their careers or graduate programs.
- Enhancing the functionality of current technologies across the university to streamline processes, improve the learning experience, and increase operational efficiency.
- Expanding the services of the Goodman Center (our clinic) to not only serve our students but also extend our mental health services to the surrounding communities, further aligning with our mission of making a positive impact on diverse populations.
I am committed to creating an environment that fosters both academic excellence and community engagement, which will allow us to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing educational landscape.
Q5: What strategies do you plan to implement to improve academic programs, expand research opportunities, attract new partnerships, and attract new students?
I believe in continuously evolving academic offerings to ensure they remain relevant to both students and the workforce. This includes the introduction of Professional Certificates and innovative and specialized programs in areas like behavioral health, technology-driven mental health care, and organizational psychology, sports psychology, language and speech disorders, and behavioral intelligence to align with the growing demand in these fields.
I also plan to expand research opportunities by developing stronger collaborations with industry leaders, research institutions, and international partners. By focusing on cross-disciplinary research and innovative programmatic offerings that addresses critical mental health issues and behavioral and psychological sciences both locally and globally, Albizu will not only enhance its academic reputation but also make a tangible impact on global mental health policy and practice.
To attract new students, we will leverage both traditional and digital marketing strategies that highlight the unique strengths of Albizu, especially its dedication to diversity, mental health, and culturally competent care. I will also focus on strengthening our K-12 partnerships, as well as our partnerships with State and/or Community Colleges, our recruitment channels, making the admissions process seamless, and ensuring prospective students have access to not only unique and innovative programs, but also to all the resources they need to succeed in their academic journey and as professionals.
Q6: What role do you see sports, clubs, and student organizations playing in the university experience?
Sports, clubs, and student organizations are integral to a well-rounded university experience. These activities foster leadership, collaboration, and personal development, and they create a sense of belonging among students. I strongly believe that Albizu should not only support but also actively encourage students to participate in extracurricular activities that align with their personal and professional goals.
We will work to strengthen these programs, ensuring that they reflect Albizu’s commitment to all students, inclusion, and cultural competence. Expanding the university’s wellness programs, including intercollegiate and/or intramural sports and mental health awareness initiatives, will also play a key role in supporting students’ overall well-being.
Q7: Do you have any plans to strengthen the relationship between the university and the local community?
Building and nurturing relationships with the local community is a top priority. Albizu University has always had a strong community presence, and my goal is to enhance that by creating more opportunities for community-based learning and service.
This includes expanding community outreach initiatives, such as mental health clinics and partnerships with local organizations to provide psychological services to underserved populations. I also plan to work more closely with local businesses, government agencies, chambers of commerce, and nonprofits to provide our students with internships, job placement opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences that connect their education to real-world outcomes.
Additionally, one of my key goals is to expand the services provided by the Goodman Center, our clinic, so that we can extend our mental health services, psychological assessments, and speech and language disorders services to the broader community. By doing so, we will enhance Albizu’s role as a central resource for mental health, psychological assessments, and language and speech disorders support in the region.
Q8: How do you see current and future trends in technology and innovation shaping the future of higher education in general, and at Albizu?
Technology and innovation are at the heart of the future of education. At Albizu, I see the potential for leveraging technology to create more personalized learning experiences for our students. From adaptive learning systems that tailor content to each student’s needs to the integration of student success platforms that track academic progress and provide timely interventions, these tools will allow us to support students more effectively throughout their academic journey. Furthermore, embedding emerging technologies into the curriculum, current and future, demonstrates our forward-thinking approach to better prepare our students for the workforce needs of the future, positioning Albizu as the leader in innovation and responsiveness to workforce needs, both current and anticipated. Albizu University has already embarked in such journey by offering the first ever B.S. in Cyberpsychology program, and currently exploring similar opportunities for future academic offerings.
Additionally, I envision expanding our online and hybrid learning offerings to provide students with more flexibility and access to education, particularly in fields like psychology, mental health, counseling, human services, and behavioral sciences. By enhancing the technologies we currently use, we can create a more efficient and engaging learning environment that better prepares students for their careers.
Q9: What do you believe sets Albizu apart from other universities, and how do you plan to build on these strengths?
Albizu University’s commitment to cultural competence in mental health education and its focus on serving all communities, and underrepresented populations set it apart from other institutions. The unique combination of academic rigor, community focus, and commitment to mental health, psychological sciences, human services, and exceptionalities, coupled with research in such fields, makes Albizu an exceptional place for both students and faculty.
As Chancellor, I plan to build on these strengths by expanding Albizu’s academic offerings to meet the evolving needs of the workforce, creating more international partnerships to increase global outreach, and enhancing Albizu’s visibility both locally and globally. Additionally, I will work to position Albizu as a leader in mental health innovation by encouraging and supporting faculty to continue engaging in research that explores new methodologies and interventions in the niche fields of our expertise.
Q10: What legacy do you hope to leave as chancellor?
I hope to leave a legacy of transformation, growth, and impact. My goal is for Albizu University to continue being a leader in mental health education while also broadening its scope to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. I want to ensure that Albizu’s Miami Campus remains a place where students receive not just a degree, but the tools to become leaders in their fields and to contribute meaningfully to society.
Above all, I want to create a campus culture that values innovation, inclusion for all, and community engagement, where students feel empowered to achieve their personal and professional goals, and where Albizu’s faculty and staff feel supported in their efforts to provide an exceptional education. My hope is that, by the time my tenure concludes, Albizu University will be even more globally connected, technologically advanced, and an even greater resource for the communities it serves.
