ROCKFORD—Kevin Fuss is now the Director of Research and Planning in the Diocese of Rockford. 

He is replacing Dr. Michael Cieslak, who held the post for more than three decades before retiring June 1. 

“I found that the diocese offers something very unique in today’s world, and that is the opportunity to combine professional work with an active Catholic faith life,” Fuss says. 

 

“I am both humbled to be able to join the diocesan team and excited to begin the next chapter of my career working for the Church!”     

 

Fuss joins the staff of the Rockford Diocese after nearly 20 years in higher education. 

 

He began as the director of research and planning at Kishwaukee College in Malta. 

 

In that role he established the college’s first research office and handled data requests and survey needs from the campus community. He also completed numerous major projects such as developing and tracking key performance indicators, creating a fact book, developing enrollment projections, assessing academic programs, studying how students are placed into courses, and working with area high schools to increase college-level preparedness.

 

Fuss created Kishwaukee College’s first strategic planning process, chaired its steering committee, and led the college through the phases of  planning.

 

After more than a decade in that role, he became vice president of institutional effectiveness where, in addition to leading the research and planning efforts, he assumed responsibility of managing the college divisions of information technology, marketing and public relations. 

 

During this time, he led the college through another strategic planning cycle and began to provide strategic planning assistance to other non-profit organizations as well. 

 

He served as the college’s accreditation liaison officer and led it to successful re-accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission.  

 

In 2016 the board of trustees asked him to serve as acting president during a search. Soon after, Fuss accepted the position of vice president of administration and served as the college’s chief financial officer and treasurer. 

 

He also supervised the newly-created accreditation and grants office. In addition to directing the finance division of the college, he was the college’s legislative liaison and directed the campus operations division, which includes maintenance, grounds and custodial services.

 

Prior to his career in higher education, he worked for Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton as an assistant research scientist.

 

Fuss has also been active in his community and parish life. 

 

In 2012, he was invited to become a board member for the DeKalb County Community Foundation. He led the foundation through a strategic planning cycle, then served on the finance committee for two years before being asked to become the chair. 

 

From then to the present, he also has served as treasurer to help manage the foundation’s $52 million endowment.

 

Fuss lives in DeKalb with his wife and son, who is a student at St. Mary School there. He is an active member of St. Mary Parish and currently chairs the pastoral council and helps organize events at the school. 

 

He has served as a eucharistic minister for the past three years.

 

He is a past committee member of Cub Scout Pack 173.  

 

“My hopes,” Fuss says, “are to build on the strong foundation Dr. Cieslak has established to ensure Bishop (David) Malloy, all of his staff and the individual parishes continue to have the information they need to make informed decisions.  

 

“In my short time here I have already discovered the amazing talent and dedication of my colleagues,” he adds, “and I hope to provide them the support they need so that we can most effectively do the important work of the Church.”