This Women’s History Month, we are highlighting the work of just a tiny percentage of the women leaders who serve the church and the world through their leadership in Jesuit and Ignatian ministries. These leaders shared a bit about their work and how Ignatian spirituality shapes their lives. They also offered their perspectives on ways the Jesuits can continue to improve how they welcome, empower and support women leaders.
What does your job entail?
As president, I am tasked with upholding and advancing the university’s vision of a world transformed through academic, moral and spiritual education. Collaborating with key partners across the institution, my job is to ensure Xavier’s continued success in academic excellence, strategic planning, community engagement and philanthropy.
During my three-plus years at Xavier, I’ve been fortunate to, alongside my exceptional colleagues; experience many successes, including the launch of a new strategic plan that will carry Xavier into its third century transforming lives through a Jesuit education; the ongoing establishment of the Xavier University College of Osteopathic Medicine on campus; and securing the four largest donations in the University’s history.
What is one of the challenges you’re facing right now?
Xavier faces, as all higher education institutions face, strong headwinds, including shifting demographics and growing scrutiny of the value colleges and universities provide. In grappling with these and many other profound changes, we see clearly that we are operating amid a pivotal moment for our field.
In this environment, however, Ignatian educators have an opportunity to seize our Jesuit Catholic potential in its fullest sense and to be the change that our world needs. Our value proposition remains as relevant as ever, but we cannot be complacent — we must continue to discern how we can be even more in advancing the common good.
How does Ignatian spirituality shape your approach to work?
The gifts of our Ignatian heritage lie at the core of what we do as a Jesuit Catholic institution of higher learning. These values guide our decision-making; they inform how we interact with our students; and they are interwoven into every level of our curriculum. Students who seek a Jesuit education are promised more than what a typical college experience entails — we offer them a holistic education centered on intellectual, moral and spiritual development so that they may — as I have the honor of saying every year at commencement — “go forth and set the world on fire” leading lives of purpose and impact.
What’s one of your favorite quotes about leadership or the best leadership advice you’ve ever received?
To paraphrase French writer Andre Gide, “We cannot discover new oceans unless we have courage to lose sight of the shore.”
I’m so fond of this quote that I used it in my inaugural address at Xavier in 2021. I think it reflects the approach that we, as Ignatian leaders, must employ in our ever-evolving world — a willingness to be bold and navigate uncharted waters while remaining true to the Jesuit ideals and traditions that have persisted for nearly five centuries.
