Nicolle Cestero is the thirteenth president of American International College (AIC), appointed by the AIC Board of Trustees in 2025 after serving as interim president since March 2024. She brings extensive experience in higher education administration, institutional operations, strategic planning, and organizational leadership, having previously served AIC as executive vice president, chief operating officer, and chief of staff.

As interim president, President Cestero led the development and launch of Pathway to Progress, a wide-ranging business plan introduced in November 2024 to guide the College’s direction in the coming years. The plan outlined significant updates to AIC’s operations, including a revised academic portfolio, expanded degree offerings, new enrollment strategies, and streamlined athletic programming. Alongside this work, she provided focused leadership on the College’s long-term financial sustainability, strengthened donor engagement, and advanced initiatives designed to enhance student experience through access, inclusion, and academic success.

During her tenure as chief operating officer, President Cestero managed the day-to-day operations of the College, served as a senior advisor to the president, and played a key role in implementing AIC’s strategic plan. She oversaw legal affairs, supported institution-wide initiatives, and served as a member of the President’s Cabinet and all Board of Trustees committees. Her leadership has spanned a broad range of institutional priorities, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of AIC’s operations and its mission.

President Cestero joined AIC in July 2011 after beginning her professional career in New York City at the Council on Foreign Relations, a leading nonpartisan think tank focused on global affairs. She later continued her professional experience at The Sandri Companies, a privately held Massachusetts-based energy and retail firm with a diversified portfolio that includes petroleum distribution, fuel services, golf courses, and convenience retail operations throughout New England.

President Cestero holds a Master of Business Administration from American International College, a Master of Arts in industrial-organizational psychology from the University of West Florida, and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Mount Holyoke College. Her appointment as president, effective July 1, 2025, marked the first time a woman has been named president of AIC since its founding in 1885. She is also only the second woman to serve as interim president, following Edith Scott Magna, who served in that role in 1946.