Faculty & Staff

  • Bishop Thomas Paprocki

    CO-FOUNDER

    Heroic Bishop Paprocki, who has stood up for religious liberty and the pro-life cause in the difficult state of IL, has a leadership role on the USCCB, and has recently been invited onto President Trump’s Council on religious liberty. He invited the College to start in his diocese, and says of it: “This is a truly unique opportunity for full formation of the human person—morally, spiritually, intellectually, and practically—in trades that are facing a demographic crisis. San Damiano College ensures that, in addition to technical training, students will also be well formed to serve customers while also leading families and businesses.”

  • A smiling man in a white shirt, black suspenders, and a checkered bow tie, standing in front of a beige brick wall.

    Kent J. Lasnoski, Ph.D

    PRESIDENT

     As founding President, Dr. Kent Lasnoski has years of experience in Catholic higher education teaching theology, philosophy, humanities, and Trivium. As a professor at Wyoming Catholic College, Lasnoski not only taught but served as assistant dean for student life and was involved in Wyoming Catholic’s earning of academic accreditation. Lasnoski brings higher-ed administrative background, theological expertise, and the student life experience to San Damiano. Lasnoski and his wife Caitlin not only have 11 children, but authored a book together about marriage, 30 Days With Married Saints.

  • Alex Hurla, MFA

    Director of Operations and Faculty Member

    Alex comes to us from Kansas, where he developed, directed, and gained accreditation for an associate degree program in regenerative agriculture. Before that, Mr. Hurla earned an MFA in writing and served our nation in the Marine Corp.

  • Peter Tardiff, MA

    PROFESSOR & STUDENT LIFE ASSISTANT

    Peter Tardiff earned his undergraduate at Wyoming Catholic College, where he combined a rigorous study of the liberal arts, horsemanship, and adventures in the wild west. Tardiff then went on to earn his Masters and is currently finishing his doctoral dissertation for the University of Dallas. He brings a youthful energy of Peter Tardiff which is well-versed in the great-books tradition and our unique pedagogy.

  • Fr. Ambrose Criste

    CHAPLAIN

    Our chaplaincy is staffed by the faithful Norbertines of St. Michael’s Abbey in CA, including Fr. Ambrose Criste. Fr. Criste joined the Norbertines in 2000, was ordained a priest in 2008, and earned pontifical degrees from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum) and the Pontifical Gregorian University.

Board of Directors

  • A smiling man with short brown hair, wearing a white shirt, a checkered bow tie, and suspenders, standing against a light-colored brick wall.

    Kent J. Lasnoski, Ph.D

    PRESIDENT OF SAN DAMIANO COLLEGE

  • Portrait of a smiling man wearing religious attire, including a black robe with red trim and a gold chain with a religious medallion, standing in front of wooden pillars.

    Thomas John Paprocki

    BISHOP OF SPRINGFIELD, IL

  • Professional man with glasses, smiling, wearing a suit and tie against a plain background.

    Mark Newcomb, Ph.D.

    DIRECTOR OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD

  • A man with short hair, smiling, wearing a light blue collared shirt, outdoors with trees in the background.

    Brad Bolt, Ph.D.

    ALTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

  • Headshot of a man wearing glasses and a clerical collar, smiling against a blue background.

    Msgr. David Hoefler

    VICAR GENERAL, DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD

  • Smiling man with gray hair wearing a white clerical shirt, standing in front of a bookshelf.

    Fr. Ambrose Criste

    NORBERTINE LIASON

  • A middle-aged man dressed in formal attire with a pink tie and a pink boutonniere on his navy suit, smiling for a portrait indoors.

    Gregory Fleck

    PROPERTY MANAGER, DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD; SDC BOARD TREASURER

  • Board Member

    Tim Zinselmeier

    Co-founder of S and Z Property Brothers, Tim has brought value and virtue to the world of real estate rehabilitation in Springfield. His entrepreneurial energy has recently expanded into the world of large acreage properties as well.

    Tim brings a wealth of wisdom, business acumen, and an integrated Catholic approach to entrepreneurship to our Board.

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