Iona University’s Peter-Christian Kirchgaesser ’25 Prepares to Inspire in the Classroom
New Rochelle N.Y. — With dreams of becoming an educator, Peter-Christian Kirchgaesser ’25 knew he needed a school that matched his ambition. “Iona has a reputation for a strong education program. I knew that the class sizes would be smaller and the teaching more personal,” said the Bronxville, N.Y., native.
Kirchgaesser has always enjoyed working with children, a passion that blossomed during his experiences as a camp counselor and further flourished when he interned with Horizon National in Greenwich, Conn. There he supervised and assisted children during activities but also had the “opportunity to see and experience the professionalism, planning and multitasking that is involved in running a classroom.”
Kirchgaesser is specifically passionate about becoming a special education teacher and plans to pursue a master’s degree in special education at Iona University.
“I believe that early intervention and personalized support can significantly impact these children’s development and lifelong learning journey,” he said. “I would like to acknowledge the significant impact that Professor Susan Plass has had on me during my time at Iona University. Her guidance in classroom observations, lesson planning and report writing has shaped my approach to teaching and learning, inspiring the educator I strive to be.”
Upon graduation, Kirchgaesser wants to apply what he has learned at Iona in an internship in Europe that works with international education programs. “The global perspective will allow me to gain valuable insights into diverse educational approaches and practices, enhancing my ability to support children with various backgrounds and educational needs.”
Beyond academics, he is developing leadership skills outside the classroom, from jump-starting the Education Club to serving as a residential assistant – each role further developing his leadership, communication and mentoring skills.
With graduation only a few months away, Kirchgaesser reflected on his time at Iona, saying, “I’ve had a variety of wonderful experiences that allowed me to develop, expand my communication and social skills, and gain valuable independent experience along the way. I am truly thankful for Iona University!”
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.