The opportunity for me to serve ϡȱ is something I value very much. I hope as one member of the board, I can contribute to the success of the staff, faculty, students and president and continue to make ϡȱ grow.
Dr. Robert Antonucci pursued a career in education by chance. It turned out to be a perfect fit.
“This is the kind of field where you can always help someone,” said Antonucci, who was recently appointed by Gov. Maura Healey to serve on the ϡȱ State Board of Trustees. “That’s what I’ve always done whether through teaching or service.”
Antonucci considered going away to college and to study business. When his father became ill, he opted to attend Fitchburg State, which was close to his Leominster home. Education, he said, was the only degree FSU offered at that time that interested him.
He began his career as a teacher and administrator in Lunenburg. Antonucci has also served as assistant superintendent of the Leominster Public Schools, superintendent of schools in Falmouth, state education commissioner and president of Fitchburg State University.
As commissioner, he played a significant role in the passage and implementation of the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993. The law aimed to close the gap in student performance between poor and wealthy school districts and ensure that public schools could provide every student with a quality education.
“It all focused on equity and making sure everybody had an opportunity,” said Antonucci, who called serving as education commissioner one of the proudest moments of his career.
Antonucci sees that same worthy goal reflected at BSU.
“ϡȱ’s mission is based on inclusiveness, so it’s a university for all,” he said, adding: “I get more impressed every time I visit the campus.”
Antonucci is also energized by the excitement he sees throughout the campus.
“The opportunity for me to serve ϡȱ is something I value very much,” he said. “I hope as one member of the board, I can contribute to the success of the staff, faculty, students and president and continue to make ϡȱ grow.”
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