Stefano Elio Radio, who holds a degree in Economics and Finance from La Sapienza and an MBA from Rockhurst University, is a former professional football player and NCAA athlete. Today he serves as President of Rome City Institute, known for combining academic excellence, competitive sports and cultural immersion in Rome.
Q. You became president bringing with you a unique experience, spanning professional football in Italy and university education in the US. How have these experiences shaped your vision for Rome City Institute?
Having lived both worlds; professional football in Italy and higher education in the United States, I realised how powerful the combination of academics and athletics can be. In Italy, sport is often seen as parallel to education, while in the US it is fully integrated into the university system. My vision for Rome City Institute is to bridge these two traditions, creating a model where students do not have to choose between pursuing their sport and their academic growth. Instead, they can excel in both and develop as complete individuals. This vision is deeply inspired by the legacy of the ancient Greeks and Romans, who truly believed in the formative power of sport. For them, physical training was not just about competition; it was a fundamental part of education and character building, alongside philosophy, arts, and civic life. At Rome City Institute, we carry forward that tradition by making sport an integral element of personal and intellectual development.
________________________________
Rome City Institute is often described as a “hub where academia, sports, and culture come together.” What does it mean in concrete terms to offer this “integrated experience” to students?
It means that every element of a student’s life is part of their education. The classroom is central, but learning also happens on the playing field, in cultural activities, and in the daily interaction with a global community of peers. For example, a student might train with their team in the morning, take a business class in the afternoon, and attend a cultural lecture or event in the evening. This integration ensures that they grow academically, athletically, and personally, while fully experiencing the richness of Rome.
________________________________
What are the distinguishing qualities of a “student-athlete” formed at Rome City Institute? How can this experience influence both their professional and personal paths?
Our student-athletes are resilient, adaptable, and international-minded. They are trained to manage demanding schedules, to work in teams, and to perform under pressure, skills that are highly transferable to any professional career. Beyond their sport, they gain a global perspective and a strong academic foundation. This means they can pursue opportunities in business, sports management, coaching, or entirely different industries, while carrying with them values of discipline, leadership, and intercultural competence.
Stefano Elio Radio, president of Rome City Institute
As an institution aimed at global students, what are the main challenges and opportunities you have encountered in building such a diverse and international educational environment in Rome?
The main challenge is harmonizing different academic expectations, cultural approaches, and sporting traditions into one coherent model. But this is also our greatest opportunity: diversity enriches the learning experience. When students from different countries train, study, and live together, they not only share knowledge but also learn to collaborate across cultures. Rome, as an international city, offers the perfect stage for this.
________________________________
What are the next milestones or ambitious projects you envision for Rome City Institute in the coming years?
We are focused on expanding our academic offerings and research capacity, particularly through initiatives like the Center for Sports Diplomacy and Innovation (CSDI). We also aim to develop new partnerships with universities and sports organizations worldwide, and to strengthen our infrastructure in Rome with student housing and athletic facilities.
But beyond these concrete steps, my biggest dream is that Rome City Institute will continue to exist 500 years from now, long after we are gone. I want the Institute to endure as a place where generations of students can come to grow through academics, athletics, and culture, a lasting legacy that reflects the values we are building today.
________________________________
Rome is a city with an extraordinary historical and cultural heritage. How does the Institute leverage the city itself as part of the students’ learning and growth experience?
Rome is not just the backdrop of our campus; it is part of our curriculum. Students live history every day, walking by monuments that have shaped civilization. We use the city as an extended classroom, whether it’s studying history at the Colosseum, art at the Vatican Museums, or international relations at embassies and institutions headquartered in Rome. The city challenges them to think globally while rooting their experience in a unique cultural heritage.
Graduation Day at Rome City Institute
Higher education is undergoing rapid changes with digital learning, AI, and new technologies. How do you see Rome City Institute balancing innovation with the traditions of in-person education and athletics?
We believe technology is an enabler, not a substitute. Digital tools, AI, and hybrid learning enrich the academic experience, offering flexibility and innovation. But athletics and cultural immersion require presence, human connection, and shared experiences. Our balance lies in using innovation to strengthen, not replace, the traditions of in-person education, team training, and face-to-face mentorship.
________________________________
If you were to speak directly to Italian or international students considering a unique educational experience in Rome, what message would you like to share with them?
I would say: if you are looking for an experience that challenges you to grow in every dimension of your life, academic, athletic, and personal, Rome City Institute is the place for you. Here, you won’t just earn a degree or practice a sport; you will become part of a global community, learn to navigate different cultures, and prepare for a future where adaptability and leadership are essential. Rome itself will be your classroom, your training ground, and your home.
Closing message
At the end of the day, my biggest dream is that Rome City Institute will continue to exist 500 years from now, long after we are gone. If that happens, it will mean we have succeeded in creating something timeless, an institution where sport, culture, and education come together to form complete individuals, generation after generation.
Rome City Institute, Lungotevere Arnaldo da Brescia 15, www.romecityinstitute.com.
