Spotlight on Steve Radwanski and emerging leadership

Galloway, N.J. – Steven Radwanski looks at leadership as stewardship. So, when the assistant vice president for Student Living and Learning and executive director of Residential Life at Stockton learned he was selected to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Emerging Leaders Program, his reaction was one of excitement and gratitude.

This program helps prepare the next generation of higher education leaders through a mix of in-person and virtual programming focused on leadership development, communication, project management and institutional change. Participants also lead a project or initiative on their home campus as part of the yearlong experience.

Below, Radwanski reflects on being part of the cohort and how the experience will help him continue to support his teams, students and the broader campus community.

Reaction to the Emerging Leaders Program

Honestly, a mix of pride and gratitude. After more than two decades at Stockton, being recognized this way felt like an affirmation that the work matters and that there's still room to grow. I was excited to be selected, but mostly I felt energized — it's a reminder that leadership is a practice you keep developing, not a destination you arrive at.

After more than two decades at Stockton, being recognized this way felt like an affirmation that the work matters and that there's still room to grow. I was excited to be selected, but mostly I felt energized — it's a reminder that leadership is a practice you keep developing, not a destination you arrive at.

Steve Radwanski
Assistant Vice President for Student Living and Learning and Executive Director of Residential Life

Goals for the leadership experience

Perspective and practical tools I can apply right away. I want to learn how leaders at other public universities are navigating the same pressures we face — affordability, student success, AI workforce readiness — and bring those ideas back to Stockton.

One project I'm especially focused on is launching an AI literacy and competency program for students, to better prepare them for a workforce that's changing fast. The program gives me a chance to develop that work and learn from peer institutions tackling the same challenge.

Connecting the program to work at Stockton

Very directly. So much of what we do in Student Living and Learning is about creating the conditions for students to thrive — where they live, how they connect and how they navigate the university. This program gives me a broader leadership lens to bring to that work, whether it's rethinking how we design residential experiences, integrating student success and career readiness, or aligning operations with the institution's larger goals. The better I lead, the better we serve students.

Perspective on leadership in higher education

At this stage, leadership means stewardship. It's less about being the person with the answers and more about building teams, removing obstacles and creating space for other people to do their best work.

It's also about keeping students at the center of every decision, even the operational and budgetary ones that can feel far removed from them. Good leadership in higher ed is quiet, consistent and student-focused.

More about Radwanski

What is something the campus community may be surprised to learn about you?

Outside of work, I earned a composting certificate and studied organic gardening through Rutgers Cooperative Extension. It started as a personal interest, but it's grown into a way to give back. I use what I've learned in community service around sustainable gardening.

I also have a real passion for growing and caring for orchids; we have about 15 to 20 of them at home. And when I'm not tending to plants, you'll often find me building Legos. More than anything, it's a reminder that I'm a lifelong learner at heart, always happy to pick up something new and put it to good use.

Looking ahead

Is there anything else you'd like the Stockton community to know about the program or this opportunity?

I see it as an investment in Stockton, not only in me. A big part of what I want to bring back is momentum on the AI literacy and competency campus project I'm leading.

This experience will help me connect with peers who are tackling the same challenge and ground the work in what's actually proven effective elsewhere. I'm grateful to the colleagues and leaders who supported my participation, and I'm looking forward to representing Stockton well.