Biography
Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. ’78, ’82G
A native of Westport, Mass., Father Sicard was named Providence College’s 13th president on Oct, 4, 2019 and he took office on July 1, 2020.
Father Sicard holds a Ph.D. in business education from The Ohio State University, awarded in 1997. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Providence College in 1978 and a master’s degree in business administration from the College in 1982.
From 1978-1984, prior to entering the Dominican Order of Preachers, he was employed by Fleet Financial Group in Providence, beginning in an entry-level position and rising to audit manager.
Father Sicard was ordained to the priesthood in 1990. He holds a master of divinity degree and a bachelor of sacred theology degree from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.
His first assignment after ordination was to Ohio Dominican College in Columbus, where he served as chaplain and a full-time faculty member, teaching courses in finance, money and banking, auditing, and accounting from 1990-1997. He also was responsible for the spiritual and sacramental needs of students and Dominican religious sisters.
Father Sicard returned to PC to serve as dean of residence life from 1997-2005. He oversaw the supervision and security of all residence halls, the department’s operating budget, the hiring and supervision of more than 100 staff, and the creation of policies that ensured a quality of life for students consistent with the College’s mission.
During that time, he also served the Dominican Province of St. Joseph as director of vocations for two years. In addition, he served as provincial treasurer from 2002-2010 and as a member of the Economic Council from 2010-2016, working on behalf of the Order in international operations related to portfolio management, accounting operations, property sales and acquisitions, construction and renovation, and financial planning.
In 2005, he was appointed College executive vice president and treasurer by Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80, who took office as PC’s 12th president on July 1. In that role, Father Sicard directly supervised many College operations, including athletics, student affairs, general counsel, mission and ministry, external affairs and marketing, human resources, and public safety.
He served as the president’s chief of staff and as a member of the President’s Senior Cabinet. He oversaw the creation of three of the College’s strategic plans, including PC200, adopted in 2018.
Father Sicard served as acting PC president from July 2018 to December 2018 while Father Shanley was on sabbatical.
