The relationships and faith formation that shaped Christopher Vasta’s ’04 undergraduate experience at Merrimack College were integral to his more than 20 years working at Xaverian Brothers High School.
And now, he’s taking those experiences and career growth from Xaverian and bringing them back to Merrimack College. On Friday, Nov. 21, the Merrimack alumnus began his new role as executive director of institutional advancement. He will report to the senior vice president for institutional advancement.
“I am incredibly honored to return home to Merrimack,” said Vasta. “I look forward to working with and alongside President Hopey and the senior leadership team to strengthen Merrimack in the Augustinian tradition and advance the College’s mission to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives.”
It was at Merrimack where Vasta immersed himself in the College’s faith formation and Augustinian values, building mentor-mentee relationships with the Rev. Joseph Farrell, O.S.A., now the prior general of the Order of Saint Augustine, and the late Rev. James Wentzel, O.S.A.
Vasta was among the first group of Merrimack College students to participate in Pellegrinaggio. Merrimack is also where he met his wife, Caitlin (née Daly) ’04 and their oldest child, Michaela, is now a freshman in the School of Education and Social Policy.
“I am just really excited to contribute to the Augustinian tradition,” Vasta said. “I’m such a mission-centered individual and I believe I can make the maximum impact with my abilities at an institution like Merrimack.”
Vasta, like many alumni and supporters of Merrimack College, has watched the College’s transformational growth over the past 15 years with pride, particularly the addition of the Doctor of Education program, its aspiration to become a top-tier research institution and its commitment to affordability.
Vasta spent the past five years as chief advancement officer at Xaverian, an all-boys school for grades 7 through 12 in Westwood, Mass., founded by the Xaverian Brothers in 1963. In his oversight of the advancement office, Vasta spearheaded record results, including an increase in annual giving by over 50 percent. He also previously served as dean of students, assistant principal for academics, a campus minister, teacher and coach.
At Merrimack, and in development in general, Vasta says his primary role is to listen and truly understand what is special to people about their relationship with Merrimack and what they believe the College needs to thrive in the foreseeable future.
“Listening is the most important thing you can do,” Vasta said. “The one thing that every human innately possesses is the desire to make an impact.”
In addition to his bachelor’s degree from Merrimack College, Vasta holds a Master of Education from Bridgewater State University and a Doctor of Education from Northeastern University. He has served as an adjunct faculty member in Merrimack’s School of Education and Social Policy since 2021.
