About the Author
Speaking Schedule / Invited Lectures:
2/21/23: St. Joseph’s University
4/15/23: University of Scranton
4/27/23: Andrew Carnegie Free Library
6/17/23: Mt. Lebanon Public Library
9/27/23: Creighton University
10/4/23: Georgetown University
10/5/23: Boston College
10/26/23: St. Jude Parish, Pittsburgh
12/14/23: University of Scranton Board of Trustees Annual Meeting
1/29 & 2/2/24: Rockhurst University
3/7/24: Bethel Park Public Library
3/20/24: Boston College
4/4/24: National Catholic Education Association national conference
4/16/24: Santa Clara University
4/17/24: University of San Francisco
4/14/24: St. Paul of the Cross Parish
6/13/24: Boston College IAJS Conference
7/17/24: John Carroll University
9/26/24: Boston College Jesuit Studies Cafe
10/2-3/24: Loyola University New Orleans Board of Trustees Mtg.
11/19/24: Canisius University Naples Lecture Series
12/3/24: Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities Ignatian Leadership Seminar
3/24/2025: Gonzaga University
April 2025: St. Joseph’s University
Dr. Michael Rizzi holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, a master’s degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh, and a doctor of education from the University of Pittsburgh. He is the author of numerous articles on the history and mission of colleges and universities and on international relations. His work has appeared in America magazine, the Journal of Catholic Higher Education, the Newman Studies Journal, the Journal of Catholic Education, American Catholic Studies, The Journal of Church and State, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and elsewhere. His research has been cited in Supreme Court documents as well as academic journals, and has been used in the strategic planning process at multiple universities. He has more than seventeen years of experience in higher education management and teaching, and is currently Director of Student Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
He has given invited lectures at Georgetown University, Boston College, Creighton University, Santa Clara University, the University of San Francisco, Saint Joseph’s University, the University of Scranton, and elsewhere.
Also by Michael T. Rizzi
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Rizzi, M. (2020). Cooperation after Independence: A Lesson from Politics. Journal of Catholic Higher Education 39 (2). 147-165.
Rizzi, M. (2019). Newman’s Idea of a University in Dialogue with the Land O’Lakes Statement of 1967. Newman Studies Journal 16 (2). 34-50.
Rizzi, M. (2018). We’ve Been Here Before: A Brief History of Catholic Higher Education in America. Journal of Catholic Higher Education 37 (2). 153-174.
Rizzi, M. (2018). A Typology/Change Model for US Catholic Universities. Journal of Catholic Higher Education 36 (2). 171-191.
Media Appearances
New Books in Catholic Studies Podcast (2023)
Magazine Articles and Editorially-Reviewed Articles
Rizzi, M. (2024). The Art of Jesuit Mapmaking. America magazine. January 2024.
Rizzi, M. (2023). Book Review: Ever to Excel: A History of Boston College by James O’Toole. American Catholic Studies 134 (3). 68-70.
Rizzi, M. (2021). Book Review: What We Hold in Trust: Rediscovering the Purpose of Catholic Higher Education, by D. Briel, K. Goodpater, and M. Naughton. Christian Higher Education.
Rizzi, M. (2021). Why Is there No Jesuit College in Pittsburgh? Gathered Fragments 30 (1). 4-9.
Rizzi, M. (2020). Book Review: Leisure and Labor: Essays on the Liberal Arts in Catholic HIgher Education, edited by Anthony P. Coleman. Christian Higher Education 20 (4). 489-291.
Rizzi, M. (2019). Book Review: Fordham: A History of the Jesuit University of New York: 1841-2003 by Thomas Shelley. Journal of Catholic Education 22 (1), 245-248.
Rizzi, M. (2018). Catholic Higher Education: Its Origins in Western Pennsylvania and the United States. Gathered Fragments 28 (1). 50-61.
Rizzi, M. (2017). Book Review: Realizing the Distinctive University: Vision and Values, Strategy and Culture by Mark Roche. Journal of Catholic Education 21 (1). 200-203.