Tampa, Florida – Jan. 6, 2025 – Jesuit High School of Tampa has named Fr. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, as its next president, the 22nd leader in the school’s 125-year history.
Father Giacabazi, currently the principal at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri, has been a member of Tampa Jesuit’s board of trustees for eight years.
“I have witnessed the exceptional culture, tradition and success of Jesuit High School, and I am thrilled to join the school as its president and help further build on that extraordinary foundation,” said Father Giacabazi, 42, who will officially begin his tenure this summer.
“Jesuit has a very strong faculty, staff and administration leading an outstanding student body,” Fr. Giacabazi said. “Together we will grow and develop the foundational priorities outlined in the school’s strategic plan – advancing academic opportunities, forming a community of faith and strengthening student life and leadership at Jesuit High School.”
The announcement is the culmination of a diligent four-month national search process following the departure of Fr. Richard C. Hermes, SJ, at the end of August.
“Father Giacabazi has a deep understanding of the school’s mission and will build on the powerful foundation put in place over the years by Jesuit’s many talented leaders, faculty and staff members,” said Bill Muir Jr., the chairman of Jesuit’s Board of Trustees.
“Throughout the process, it was clear Fr. Giacabazi is an outstanding leader with a strong grasp of the school culture, and the skill, acumen and experience to lead another successful era at Jesuit,” Muir said. “We are excited to bring Fr. Giacabazi to Jesuit as the school embarks on the next 125 years of forming young men in the Tampa Bay area.”
Jesuit Principal Mike Scicchitano has been the school’s interim president during the current school year, and Scicchitano will continue in the dual roles of principal and interim president through the completion of the 2024-25 school year.
Father Giacabazi graduated from Saint Louis University in 2004 and joined the Society of Jesus in 2005. He served at De Smet Jesuit High School in St. Louis before Rockhurst. He has taught Spanish, theology and social studies, served in campus ministry, been a department head, and for the past five years has been principal and COO at Rockhurst. He also has a wealth of pastoral leadership and governance experience.
In addition to his lengthy board tenure at Jesuit in Tampa, he served three years on the board at Creighton Prep and seven on the board at Rockhurst.
