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.”
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.
Arron DeGracia, MA

VICE PRESIDENT
DeGracia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation administration and a Master of Arts degree in kinesiology from California State University-Chico. DeGracia has served as executive director of career institute and technical sciences at the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College south campus, assistant principal at Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (CA) and coach, teacher and athletic director at Paradise Unified School District (CA). Arron DeGracia successfully led Arkansas Technical University’s trades program for 750 students. He brings an expertise in developing trades partnerships, apprenticeships, trades curricula, shop management, budgets, and employment readiness training.
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.
Peter Schoonmaker

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LIFE
Schoonmaker is a former seminarian who now splits time with San Damiano and his brother’s construction company developing a new residential neighborhood on 150 acres.
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.