Mount Mary Magazine Fall 2023

VOLUME XXXV NUMBER 2 | FALL 2023

STREAM

Science • Technology • Reflection • Engineering • Art • Math

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Incoming students on the steps of Notre Dame Hall during 2023 Investiture.

TABLE CONTENTS 4

BRINGING USER EXPERIENCE TO LIFE

6

REVOLUTIONIZING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION AND WORK

8

HEALTH SCIENCES GAINS CUTTINGEDGE DISSECTION TECHNOLOGY

10 14 18 22

RETHINKING AN AMERICAN ICON SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE HOMECOMING WEEK 2023

2 From the President 12 Living our Catholic Identity 16 Women's Leadership Institute 20 Advancement 23 Campus News 26 Achievements & Accolades 31 Class Notes 34 Student Impact Fund 35 In Memoriam 36 Reflection

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FALL 2023 | 1

FROM THE PRESIDENT

FROM PRESIDENT

Isabelle Cherney, Ph.D., Mount Mary University

Dear Mount Mary Alumni and Friends,

Soyez la bienvenue!

The 2023-24 academic year is officially underway and off to an exciting start. There are so many wonderful things happening around our campus community right now, and many others in development that we look forward to sharing! Our mission calls us to provide access to the most vulnerable and create an environment for the development of the whole person. During this season of Thanksgiving as we reflect on our many blessings, we pray for peace and remember those who are suffering violence around the world.

Reflecting on this first year as president of Mount Mary University, I am continually reminded of how blessed I am to lead such a mission-centric, diverse and inclusive institution of higher education. Although there are many challenges facing single-sex faithbased universities, Mount Mary is adaptive, creative, innovative, transformative and poised for a bright future.

rankings in the U.S. News and World Report, once again lauding Mount Mary as a regional leader in social mobility, diversity and value. I was pleased to see our rankings improve in each category, including being the leader in social mobility in the Midwest.

This commitment is demonstrated in the many actions that we collectively undertake. A few notable examples include our campus ministry’s spring service-learning trip to the United States border to learn about immigration issues (see story on page 12) and the recent grand opening of our Center for Culture, Identity and Belonging (page 24). This fall, we also celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month and our status as one of only three Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the state of Wisconsin. Our diversity is truly our strength!

This issue of Mount Mary Magazine reflects upon our embrace of science, technology, Reflection, engineering, art and math (STREAM) in all aspects of education. We recognize the vital importance of incorporating technology into every major, shaping our students to be adaptive and reflective leaders who are equipped to enter the workforce with vision, compassion, purpose and confidence. This Reflection, emphasized in the core curriculum, prepares our students to be thoughtful leaders.

This past year, we accomplished so much.

We had over 400 students taking summer classes. Our yearly Summer Leadership Program welcomed over 80 high-school girls, and our Summer Fashion Academy was a great success. Over 860 visitors admired our senior fashion design students’ creations displayed at the CREO fashion show. This fall, our first-year undergraduate class increased by 10%. We began the fall semester by welcoming one of our most diverse groups of students in our history.

ONE COMMUNITY SHAPING Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is reflected in our recent TOMORROW’S GAME CHANGERS

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Our STREAM undergraduate curriculum prepares students well for a fast-paced, complex

FROM THE PRESIDENT

future where people must collaborate to solve difficult problems ethically.

This summer, thanks to a grant, we added an Anatomage table to our list of innovative technology. The interactive table allows students and faculty to dissect the human body without the need for cadavers and learn anatomy in a way that is visual, interactive and intricate. We opened the School of Nursing and organized our other existing academic programs into the School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Graduate Health and Professional Programs.

Our largest undergraduate majors are nursing, biology, psychology, fashion design, and interior architecture and design, and our new UX design major has already drawn attention from large corporations. Our largest graduate programs open to women and men are counseling (including a Ph.D.), occupational therapy (including OTD), art therapy, dietetics and education.

We are confident that the education we provide will equip our students with the skills, abilities, connections, experiences, and passion required to go forth to change the world.

Strong foundation, bright future

skills, abilities, connections, experiences, and passion required to go forth to be a leading voice in the world.

We are excited to be in the initial stages of building partnerships with several corporate and non-profit organizations, both locally and nationally. The development of the Institute for the Advancement of Women and Children continues to unfold as former dean of the Schools of Art and Design and Business Bob Schwartz steps into a new role fostering relationships that will benefit our students, faculty, staff and university, connecting us to emerging technology and opportunities to learn from local and national industry leaders (see story on page 6).

We welcome new board members, Dr. Eileen Schwalbach, Joel Brennan and Jeff Scott. I look forward to their shared insight as we continue to shape the direction of the university. I am deeply grateful to our outgoing board members, Mary Jo Layden, Sue Bellehumeur, Sister Sandra Ann Weinke and Sister Janet Abbacchi.

Their leadership has been instrumental in the progress we have made over the past few years.

This year, women’s leadership has been at the forefront of conversation in the media. The popularity of the movie “Barbie” has helped shine a spotlight on feminism.

We examine the complexities of a cultural phenomenon that has been viewed as a trend-setting style icon and at the same time a symbol of the impossible expectations that women continue to face (see story on page 10).

At MMU we have always recognized the need for strong female voices as we continue to help shape our future leaders to change the world in positive ways.

The conversation about authenticity and leadership was also highlighted at our annual Voices of Leadership event this November (see story on page 16). Keynote speaker April Hansen reiterated the importance of helping employees become more engaged within the workplace, preventing burnout while allowing individuals and teams to thrive. It is more critical now than ever before that we build an engaged workforce and nurture the ambition and tenacity required to solve the systemic issues our world faces. We are confident that the education we provide will equip our students with the

The School Sisters of Notre Dame, our beloved sponsors who created Mount Mary 110 years ago, had few resources except determination and prayers. Despite these challenges, they ventured forth to educate, believing then as we do now that education is the great equalizer.

Education changes lives: it creates possibilities for lowincome students to get higher-paying jobs, feeding not only their families, but also lifting them out of poverty. Social justice is possible through education. As Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.”

I am so proud of our community shaping future leaders.

Our mission of inclusivity, diversity, equity and belonging provides a safe environment for our students to grow and thrive. This commitment can only be accomplished through the pursuit of social justice, with an unfailing respect and dignity for all persons.

We look forward to the year ahead and the many developments unfolding at Mount Mary as we grow and evolve as an academic institution. We continue to be one community shaping tomorrow’s game changers! n FALL 2023 | 3

FEATURE STORY

Bringing user experience to life

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FEATURE STORY

Two UX design students unleashed their skills to re-envision the university website This summer, user experience design (UX) students Winla Vang and Galilea Garnica got the chance to put their classroom skills to use in a real-world project: a redesign of the Mount Mary website. User experience is a field that combines psychology with design, considering ways to make products more accessible and usable.

Frequently, the term refers to designing for the digital realm, such as apps and websites. Working with the university marketing and communication team, the two students examined ways to improve the Mount Mary website for visitors, particularly current and prospective students.

Students learn to apply affinity mapping and UX concepts. ser experience design U students Elizabeth Boney (left) and Giselle Martin Gomez (right) practice skill building exercises.

UX students Winla Vang (left) and Galilea Garnica (right) show their proposed website redesign.

Vang and Garnica worked together to find solutions using the design thinking process learned during their UX design courses. They focused their effort on the most frequently visited pages of the site and how they could function more efficiently for users.

Their initial work examined the website pages the team believed could function more efficiently for visitors. Using an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (referred to in the industry by the acronym SWOT) the students collected extensive data, looking at user feedback through a campus-wide survey and analyzing competitor schools. The team also conducted usability tests and interviews with current website users to gain insight into how the site could better serve its audience.

“Being able to empathize with users was one of my favorite aspects of research,” said Vang. “Listening to personal anecdotes from current students and having a chance to engage with high school students about

how they navigate the website was extremely insightful in our research process.”

Over the course of the project Vang and Garnica discovered several important findings, including areas potentially losing traffic due to issues with navigation. The team also proposed ways to update graphics, photos and icons to create a more visually engaging experience.

Both students shared their surprise at learning that diverse groups of users had similar feedback.

“We discovered remarkable similarities in their needs and concerns,” said Vang.

Based upon their findings, the students created working prototypes and test pages to demonstrate their proposed redesign. The Mount Mary marketing team plans to put many of the suggested changes into practice.

In UX, we seek to understand the needs of users, through research and empathy.

We strive to make experiences friendly, inclusive and memorable.

Both interns left with not only projects to pad their professional resumes, but also the experience of working with a client in a real-world setting.

“As a Latina woman in tech, I’ve come to appreciate that we bring a unique perspective and approach that can make a significant impact in the industry,” said Garnica, who appreciated the chance to put her classroom skills into practice. “Looking ahead, I intend to use the knowledge I’ve honed, and have no doubt they will serve me well in any field I choose to pursue.” n

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FEATURE STORY

Revolutionizing the future of education and work Chief transformation and innovation officer helps expand access to emerging technology Bob Schwartz has been working to build Mount Mary President Isabelle Cherney’s vision for student success in an evolving and uncertain landscape: to promote flexibility, encourage creative problem solving and embrace change.

This past July, the former dean of the School of Arts & Design and Business at Mount Mary University stepped into his new role as chief transformation and innovation officer. Schwartz, who previously served as vice president for global design & user experience at GE Healthcare, has been recognized for his professional contributions by the Design Management Institute and the Industrial Designers Society of America.

Making connections and building partnerships In his new role, Schwartz will work with the recently launched Mount Mary University Institute for the Advancement of Women and Children. The institute supports leadership, health and wellness, human rights and access to technology via empowerment through education in science, technology, reflection, engineering, arts and math (STREAM). Schwartz serves as liaison between the University and external corporate and non-profit organizations, helping to nurture projects, sponsorships, partnerships, internships, scholarships and direct financial support. By forging connections to local and global corporations, non-governmental organizations and service providers, he is helping to open new opportunities for and access to practical, hands-on learning using emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and cloudbased learning. This extends beyond technology to include resources that can help to support the goals of the institute and will benefit our entire community.

“We’re specifically looking to partner with companies who share our values,” he emphasizes. To Schwartz, this means organizations with a strong inclusive culture, and an interest in narrowing the disparity gaps in access to STREAM in education, healthcare and technology.

“Students at Mount Mary look at things through a lens of social justice. We’re searching for partners who share our goals of transforming the world.”

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Currently, the university is developing collaborations with a wide array of organizations where students gain real-world learning experiences, internships and jobs centered around improving the quality of life for others. One example is CVS Health, where students have access to well-paid internships that provide direct access to technology leaders for coaching and problem solving. Locally, Mount Mary is working with Penfield Children’s Center to create concepts for collaboration, internships, grants and more. In October, President Cherney led a delegation of administration, faculty and students to visit the Amazon Web Services Cloud Innovation Center, exploring how the university might best harness the company’s available resources.

Schwartz emphasizes that emerging technology connects with every major on campus and every field, not just science and engineering. He cites examples of interior designers using virtual reality to bring two-dimensional spaces to life, and humanities disciplines using rapidly emerging AI-driven search functions to access and summarize tens of thousands of research articles instantaneously.

“Whether it’s occupational therapy, dietetics, nursing, environmental design or any discipline, there are endless ways for students to benefit,” he says. “We’re seeing a vertical acceleration in advancement of technology. It’s not in the distant future – this is the world that students live in now and the tools they will use in practice during their professional lives.”

While the landscape of both education and work is rapidly changing, Schwartz sees creativity and the ability to adapt to emerging tools as the keys to long-term career success.

He states the importance of educating students to embrace curiosity and openness to lifelong learning, preparing them to excel in a world requiring flexibility and adaptation.

“We’re connecting our students with new visions, possibilities and realities for the future of work,” he says. n

FEATURE STORY

Students at Mount Mary look at things through a lens of social justice.

We’re searching for partners who share our goals of transforming the world.

— BOB SCHWARTZ

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FEATURE STORY

Health sciences gains This fall, Mount Mary health sciences gained access to state-of-theart technology with the arrival of a new Anatomage table. The table provides realistic anatomical modeling via 3D visualization technology.

Using body scans from real cadavers, students can explore systems within the human body and interact with virtual anatomical models.

Faculty can also customize lessons for the specific needs of their students, allowing for a diverse range of use across multiple programs within the Schools of Nursing, Arts and Sciences, Graduate Health and Professional programs.

The Anatomage table will provide students with a deeper understanding of complex bodily systems in ways that far surpass textbooks. The table provides a safe and ethical environment in which students can interact with biological specimens in a way previously only available through access to cadaver labs. And while the experience offers similarities to real-life dissection, it reinforces an even deeper understanding by allowing a user to repeat and review a process.

Since its arrival in August, the new Anatomage table has already been put into use by nursing, occupational therapy, pre-med, biology, exercise science, counseling and dietetics classes.

“This is a fascinating tool that offers the opportunity to investigate what the human body looks like at a variety of levels, from skin to muscle; bones, organs and more,” shares Janine Bamberger, assistant professor of dietetics. She cites the option to view five different cadavers

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FEATURE STORY

Jewel Scholars with Dr. Louise Kessler (center) explore virtual dissection of the human body using the Anatomage table.

cutting-edge dissection technology available in the system, helping students understand individual differences that they will eventually encounter in real world practice.

“We can now offer our dietetics students both macro and micro views as we study how food becomes part of, and functions in, healthy and diseased bodies,” she adds.

Kari Inda, Ph.D., professor and chair of the occupational therapy department is also quickly embracing this technology in her classes.

Having the ability to see the entire human body through true to life 3D imaging is greatly beneficial.

— DR. KARI INDA

“Having the ability to see the entire human body through true to life 3D imaging is greatly beneficial,” she states.

“Instead of looking at images in textbooks or on computer screens, we can see full-size actual body images that have been digitized. We can rotate the body, dissect it, remove parts in layers, and isolate key structures to focus on how these structures work in solo or with other adjacent structures to create movement.”

Inda states that being able to visualize the body in layers will help students understand and apply therapeutic treatment to their patients. The Anatomage table will let students simulate X-ray, MRI and CT imaging, providing a high-resolution view of injuries and diseases from the inside.

The table was funded through a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). This advanced technology is not yet available at many educational institutions, making the Anatomage table an especially meaningful addition to the university, and one which will undoubtedly prove an invaluable resource for Mount Mary classes for years to come. n

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FEATURE STORY

The Barbie movie has sparked a major comeback for the 64-year old blonde, blue-eyed, pink-clad icon. Love her or hate her, there’s no getting around Barbie’s influence on pop culture.

And believe it or not, you might be able to find a Barbie or two tucked away in the office of Mount Mary’s president.

children the opportunity to play with 60 different toys – each selected as being considered predominately male (such as a firetruck), predominately female (such as a doll) or neutral (such as crayons). Cherney recorded and observed the children’s behavior, noting which toys were played with and the complexity of the play with each.

“We found that certain toys elicited higher cognitive sequencing. Girls playing with a doll, for example, will lead to more sequential interaction. They will cook the food, feed the doll, change the doll’s clothing, give the doll a bath,” said Cherney.

“The boys, on the other hand, had less sequencing with their chosen toys.

They would take a truck and smash it, for example. But the boys often used more imagination. The boys would use a toy differently than its intended use. It was more open-ended.”

Dr. Cherney, as a psychology professor at Creighton University, in her toy lab.

That’s because President Isabelle Cherney is a Barbie expert of sorts. Dr. Cherney spent many years studying the influence of gendered toys on children’s development, and was even part of an Obama White House conference on the subject.

“Toys are so important,” said Dr. Cherney. “Kids spend so much time with them, and the brain will rewire itself based on those experiences.”

As a doctoral candidate in psychology at the University of Nebraska, Cherney created a fascinating research project involving more than 100 children between the ages of 18 months to four years. In 40-minute sessions, she gave

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Her study and many subsequent studies concluded that girls seem to be better at fine-motor skills and their play involved more communication, ‘playing pretend’ and sequencing activities. Boys, on the other hand, tended to use more imaginative and spatial play. The ways in which children play with toys often translates into career and vocational choices as adults.

“We see fewer women than men going into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields, and this early developmental process of play could be part of the reason behind that,” Cherney said.

She suggests that boys and girls should be given the opportunity to explore all types of toys – even those typically associated with the opposite gender.

“Toys that are creative, inquisitive and don’t look they are only for one sex allow children to explore and not be bound by stereotypes.”

FEATURE STORY

And what does that mean for our iconic pink-clad plastic fashionista?

“I think Barbie can be reimagined. If there could be a Barbie that children could use as a robot or that they could code to do things, to make her say something, or programmed to play with them, that would make them more educational. Barbie comes with clothes, but what if it came with fabric and the child could create a dress

for it? This would open the toy up for more exploration and imagination,” Cherney speculates.

“I think it’s a toy that can still evolve,” she adds. “It hasn’t reached its full potential.” n

Toys are so important. Kids spend so much time with them and the brain will rewire itself based on those experiences. — DR. ISABELLE CHERNEY

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LIVING OUR CATHOLIC IDENTITY

For Latinx Student Leaders,

the Future is Here

This past August, students Ana Sofia Ocampo Hernandez, Laysha Puga and Sonia Fulgencio accompanied director of campus ministry Theresa Utschig to the “El Futuro is Here” conference, a three-day event hosted by Dominican University in Chicago.

The bilingual conference focused on nurturing leadership among students, faculty and staff at faith-based Hispanic Serving Institutions. Presenters and participants offered ideas for building a framework of social justice centered around the voices which have been historically silenced.

They also shared ways to address the systemic challenges of racism, exclusion and historical trauma among diverse intersectional identities. Topics ranged from supporting the unique needs of first-generation students to addressing disparities in mental health access for BIPOC (black, indigenous and people of color) and LGBTQ+ populations.

Rich cultural past, present and future The “El Futuro is Here” conference featured keynote speakers, workshops and group discussions, as well as tours of Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, a culturally rich historical center of Mexican American activism.

The group visited the first Cristo Rey Jesuit high school in the nation and the Mexican American Museum of Art. They also learned about “La Lucha” – the political struggle for dignity in housing and working conditions.

The three Mount Mary students described the impact of seeing Latinx educators and peers from other universities committed and to making a difference through ministry and education.

We want our students to find ways to use their voices for change.

— THERESA UTSCHIG Junior Laysha Puga was energized by the opportunity to interact with students from all over the country who shared cultural similarities. She described the event as an emotional experience that left her with a sense of community and possibility.

For Puga, hearing other students’ stories reflected many parts of her own. “You want your family to be proud of you,” she says, describing the challenging balance between autonomy and expectations of family members that many first-generation students face.

Senior Ana Sofia Ocampo Hernandez echoes these sentiments. She describes leaving energized by a desire to continue fostering connections. “I hope to build confidence in others ... to be an inspiration to them,” she says.

For Theresa Utschig, the experience was equally inspiring. The director of campus ministry returned from the conference brimming with ideas that she plans to put into practice. Utschig cites that for many Latinx students, families are often heavily invested in their college experience.

She plans to use what she has learned to increase family members’ participation in a student’s education to increase academic success.

Utschig and her students believe that the “El Futuro is Here” conference was extremely valuable for sharing practical, sustainable ideas to build an inclusive, welcoming culture.

(Left to right) Ana Sofia Ocampo Hernandez, Sonia Fulgencio, Theresa Utschig and Laysha Puga attended the "El Futuro is Here" leadership conference in Chicago.

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“The future starts here and now,” says Utschig. “We want our students to find ways to use their voices for change, to be empowered to become women of service and above all, leaders.” n

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH:

Celebrating our Diversity and Unity Hispanic Heritage month, observed annually from September 15-October 15, honors the rich history, cultures and contributions of Latinx communities. Throughout the month, the campus community celebrated with a variety of events.

Through the lens of immigration: life-changing visit to the border shared in stories and pictures Fraught with stories of tragedy and triumph, the southern U.S. border looms large in the imaginations of many. During a March 2023 mission trip, one group of five Mount Mary students and two staff volunteers set out to explore the complex issues surrounding immigration and human rights firsthand.

While other college students were headed to sunny beaches for spring break, the seven piled into a van bound for the southern Texas border. The group presented a photographic retelling of their journey to the campus community as part of the MMU Hispanic Heritage month celebration.

Stopping in St. Louis, San Antonio and eventually the border town of McAllen, Texas, the group met clergy, chaplains and volunteers working with undocumented and underserved populations. They also met asylum seekers from Mexico, Central America and Haiti, hearing stories of the often-harrowing journeys. The students described their mission as “bearing holy witness” to the events unfolding, volunteering in shelters and donation centers along the way.

The group shared the most impactful moments from a trip they described as both “beautiful and profoundly moving.” With several native Spanish speakers among them, the group connected with families, individuals and unaccompanied children. Refugees’ stories ranged from seeking a better life and financially supporting families left behind in their native countries to fleeing threats of violence.

The participants shared the life-changing ways in which the trip impacted their understanding and expressed gratitude for those who took the time to share their experiences.

“Everything lined up so well,” said sociology and theology major Alexis Cain of her experience. “It was such a blessing.” n

Hispanic Heritage Month Events at Mount Mary rand Opening and Dedication of Center ➾G

for Culture, Identity and Belonging The Center for Culture, Identity and Belonging officially opened its doors this fall. Formerly the Ewens Center, the room will now serve as a hub for multicultural and identity student groups on campus. On October 5-6, the Center hosted an open house for the Mount Mary Community and a dedication ceremony, welcoming students, faculty, staff and alums to see the new space.

The event featured reflections by students, multicultural dance performances and appetizers with internationally inspired flavors.

➾ L atinx Leaders in Fashion

During the months of September and October, the Notre Dame Hall Academic Showcase featured garments from the CLIR fashion archive by Latinx pioneers of design Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Isabel Toledo and Adolfo.

➾ A delante Restorative Circle/Cafecito Contigo Latinx students were invited to engage with one another, discussing the similarities and differences of their life experiences. This event on September 27 created a supportive environment for students to unpack, debrief and support one another without judgment.

The group discussed a range of topics including imposter syndrome, juggling responsibilities of work and school and family expectations.

ercadito Latino-Hispanic Resource Fair ➾M

Mount Mary hosted a Hispanic resource fair on Tuesday, October 10 in the North Dining Hall featuring vendors, artists and non-profits with connections to the local Latinx community.

Organizations represented included the Milwaukee Artist Resource Network (MARN), La Revo Books, Primerica and Lifecamp.

iversity Resources for Hispanic Heritage ➾D

Month and Beyond Digital Guides and Resources from the Haggerty Library Did you know that the Haggerty Library has resources in their online collection related to diversity, multiculturalism and human rights?

Here are just a few: • Amnesty International: advocating for human rights worldwide www.amnesty.org/en/ • Code Switch: NPR podcast exploring multicultural identity in America npr.org/sectionscodeswitch/ • UNICEF state of the world’s children report unicef.org/sowc/ • World Inequality Database: Global statistics on income inequality and wealth distribution worldwide wid.world/ •V oice of Witness: advances human rights by amplifying the voices of people impacted by injustice (select VOW books available at the Haggerty Library)

See a full range of guides at mtmary.libguides.com/

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FEATURE STORY

Shaping the Future of Healthcare

A look inside Mount Mary’s new School of Nursing Dr. Julie Maher compares the School of Nursing at Mount Mary University to a rare gem being polished and shaped. As dean of the recently launched program, she sees a bright future that gleams with promise and will be highly sought after.

Maher envisions the nursing program quickly growing into an increasingly Dr. Julie Maher, dean of the valuable community Mount Mary School of Nursing resource, noting the unique features of this new and quickly expanding program. But what exactly sets the Mount Mary School of Nursing apart? To Maher, the answer is twofold: first, the experience, passion and creativity of faculty. Second, the multifaceted backgrounds of students. It’s this unique combination of factors that she points to as having a distinct advantage over similar area programs.

Our strength is in the diversity of our students.

— DR. JULIE MAHER “Our strength is in the diversity of our students,” says Maher. “The ability to learn from one another’s cultures and backgrounds and apply this to their learning in the classroom – and in the field – ultimately leads to better outcomes, both for students and for their future patients.”

Maher acknowledges a need to incorporate a patient’s cultural and personal background into health care action plans. She places this connection with people at the center of her mission as an educator.

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“As the demands on medical professionals increase, there’s a tendency to see patients as just their symptoms – which ultimately leads to dehumanizing them,” she says. “Considering someone’s belief system and how their background impacts their views makes them feel seen and heard, and this leads to better care outcomes.”

A practicing nurse who continues to work in her field even as she steps into her new leadership role, Maher knows the challenges of the healthcare environment intimately. While specializing in women’s health for over three decades, she has witnessed burnout and staffing shortages, seeing firsthand the impacts on hospital staff and patients alike. She brings this experience and wisdom to her students, preparing them to face these challenges and positioning them for long-term success. Maher strives to shape a generation of healthcare providers empowered to use their voices for advocacy, learning to band together to create better work environments for all.

“Nurses are among the most trusted professionals.

So many people rely on us. When job satisfaction isn’t there, safety and quality become a problem for everyone in the system,” she says. “We’re educating students to build teams with other nurses and work together to effect change.”

State-of-the-art technology sharpens competitive advantage Another distinct advantage for Mount Mary’s Nursing Program is access to high-tech facilities. Maher points to the Health Sciences Simulation Lab, where classes can monitor the vital signs of manikins, replicating real-world hospital situations they may encounter.

Student nurses can practice skills using Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) learning management systems that allow students to run virtual simulations of real-life scenarios. This in turn allows them to play out situations that mirror real life – and learn how to respond accordingly. Mount Mary Health Sciences is also home to a new Anatomage table, a tool allowing students to explore complex systems within the human body (see full story on page 8).

“Few schools have this type of equipment in their hands.

We’re very blessed,” she reflects.

FEATURE STORY

r. Julie Maher demonstrates D techniques to nursing student Yasmin Bazar on manikin in Health Sciences Lab.

Maher shares her goal of continuing to build access to technological tools for learning.

Her long-term plans include acquiring a manikin to replicate the birthing process and defibrillator equipment that mimics a variety of heart rhythms and irregularities.

The future of healthcare education at Mount Mary Maher sees the new School of Nursing as robust, building clinical affiliation agreements with Advocate Aurora Healthcare, Ascension, Froedtert Hospital, Rogers Behavioral Health and Milwaukee Catholic Home. Her goal is to build nursing at Mount Mary into a nationally accredited program.

Additionally, Maher plans to develop relationships with several local K-12 schools, encouraging students to consider a career in nursing from an early stage.

“If we inspire even one student, we accomplish that goal,” she says.

Maher also shares her vision of incorporating trauma informed care in the short term, and hopes to bring more awareness to the vital issue of mental health. She sees this as addressing a pressing need in the field of healthcare, which in turn will make Mount Mary nurses more in-demand.

Above all, Julie Maher is excited for the momentum as the new School of Nursing continues to grow.

As the first students from the university’s program graduate in May 2024 and enter the healthcare field, it’s an equally exciting time for their teachers.

Maher hopes that they will always find connections and support in the community who helped shape them as professionals.

“We want them to know there will always be a place for them here at Mount Mary.” n

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WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Student projects incorporate Voices of Leadership theme in creative ways On November 8, Mount Mary welcomed TEDx speaker and employee engagement expert April Hansen to Voices of Leadership. Hansen’s keynote, “Embracing Authenticity,” inspired the audience with ways individuals and leaders can harness the value of their own authenticity. After the keynote, a moderated panel discussion took place with community leaders.

The annual Voices of Leadership event began in 2014 with a dual purpose: to present speakers to share their experiences and best practices, helping the audience recognize their own leadership potential, and to offer Mount Mary’s academic community the opportunity to reflect and respond to the theme.

Faculty members engaged students in the classroom with activities designed to enhance their educational experiences by weaving the keynote subject into their projects. Eight classes from a variety of departments and majors participated in student projects during the spring or fall semester.

Students in interior architecture and design (IA&D) worked with interior designers from Henry Schein on creating a dental office. Anahi Lopez, IA&D ’24, shared how impactful the project was for her. “I was able to learn how to integrate a holistic, natural and dynamic design that would be enjoyed by all,” she reflected.

Painting students applied the concept of authenticity in their explorations of acrylic and oil-mixable paint methods, while printmaking students applied the concept to their work as they learned and created linocuts and prints using relief and monotype methods.

Fashion design students developed a conceptual design project inspired by their unique personalities. Students interpreted this inspiration into designs that will become garments in their junior design studio course and walk the runway at CREO 2024.

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April Hansen presented at Voices of Leadership at Mount Mary on November 8, 2023.

Dietetics graduate students created and executed a business plan for a pop-up bagel sandwich bar, Hole-y Bagels, which featured homemade bagel sandwiches sold in the Cyber Café. According to Pat Kempen, MS, RDN, CD and graduate program director, this project was an internship for seven of the students. “By creating their own business from start to finish, many competencies are addressed, leading to positive learning outcomes,” said Kempen.

College research writing students created short digital “information stories,” and young adult literature students wrote haiku and pantoums that captured the “Aha!” moments which led to who they are today.

The poems were inscribed onto origami butterflies and feathers. Gender communication students interviewed a professional from their chosen career path about how they embrace authenticity in their work.

Student projects were on display at the Voices of Leadership event. “Every year the event has such an impact on students,” said Jordan Anderson, associate professor of art and studio art director. “I love that the students can see their work in another environment and realize the importance of the work they are doing every day.” n

WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Since 2018, Mount Mary University has hosted the Summer Leadership Academy (SLA), a robust and immersive pre-college program for young women who are first year, sophomores or juniors in high school. At the academy, students develop their leadership skills, learn about the college application process and participate in hands-on career exploration sessions.

What began in 2018 as a 3-day/2-night program for 50 students has grown into a 5-day/4-night experience.

In 2023, 84 students participated in the SLA, our largest class to date! In 2024 the program will expand even further to include 95 students.

I have 100% grown into a better leader, more confident and I feel like I have figured out my goals.

— P AYTON J., 2023 SLA PARTICIPANT The Summer Leadership Academy features panels, lectures and interactive workshops presented by speakers from various backgrounds. Participants work on communication skills, building confidence, finding the right college, applying for college and the financial aid process. The SLA also provides a window into the college experience as participants are paired with a roommate from another high school and stay in Mount Mary’s residence halls for the duration of the program.

Each participant is eligible to earn two college credits, an estimated value of $1,200, which can be applied to Mount Mary or other universities as electives. “Our daughter is now a proud graduate of the program and we can say without any hesitation that it truly was a transformative experience for her and we could not be more grateful for the opportunity to partake in such an empowering program,” shared Kim and John, parents of a 2023 Academy participant.

Contributing to the continued success of the program is the inclusion of former SLA participants as peer mentors.

These young women put their leadership skills and experiences as Academy graduates into practice by being small group leaders and assisting current participants.

Kenydi, a 2023 peer mentor shared, “I loved it! I’d do it over and over again!” Peer mentors are trained in how to lead thought-provoking conversations and guided discussions. This experience gives these students a tangible leadership opportunity, as well as a tuition scholarship to attend the SLA. n

The 2024 Summer Leadership Academy will take place June 23-27, 2024. Young women interested in applying to the 2024 program should check mtmary.edu/sla often for updated information, as well as answers to frequently asked questions. Applications will be available Jan. 1, 2024 and must be submitted

by March 1, 2024.

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HOMECOMING THIS YEAR WAS AN AMAZING, FUN-FILLED WEEK PACKED WITH ACTIVITIES. The celebration kicked off on Monday with a popcorn bar in Notre Dame Hall. Tuesday featured a carnival for the Mount Mary community to enjoy karaoke, balloon art, face painting, cotton candy and delicious treats.

On Wednesday, Mount Mary celebrated the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assissi with a pet blessing in front of the fountain. The beloved tradition was followed by mass and a guided walk through our campus labyrinth led by Joan Penzenstadler, SSND. On Thursday, students and alumni enjoyed a delicious lunch and bingo, with Mount Mary themed prizes. On Friday, people gathered to share reflections on identity and enjoy multicultural music, dance and food at the newly opened Center for Culture, Identity and Belonging, ending the evening with a Mount Mary paint and sip event.

Homecoming week culminated with a day-long celebration on Saturday, October 7 honoring the 50th anniversary of the class 1973. The celebration brought together old and new friends, connecting community across generations through comradery and the spirit of togetherness. It was a chance to share fond memories while making new ones!

(1) Alums visited campus and shared memories during homecoming 2023. (2) Alums joined hands to sing together during Saturday, October 7 luncheon in Helfaer Hall. (3) Student at the October 3 homecoming carnival, which featured games, face painting, balloon animals and treats. (4) Students enjoyed a homecoming week popcorn bar in Notre Dame Hall. (5) Alums revisited the Caroline Hall residence halls during a homecoming weekend campus tour.

(6) Presentation by university curator Amanda Cacich featured hidden treasures from the fashion archive. (7) Alums enjoyed refreshments and camaraderie during a sip and paint mixer on Friday, October 6 in North Dining Hall. (8) Student Ellie Vravick with her pony at the October 4 campus pet blessing. (9) Marian Club pinning ceremony celebrated the 50th anniversary of Mount Mary graduates. (10) Karaoke performances during the October 3 homecoming carnival.

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110 1913-2023

Mount Mary University is proud to celebrate 110 years as a leader in higher education.

For over a century, Mount Mary has been dedicated to providing an exceptional educational experience to our students, fostering intellectual and personal growth.

With a rich history of academic excellence and a commitment to the values of diversity, inclusion and social justice, the university continues to make an impact on the lives of our students, alumni and community.

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Now in our second century, Mount Mary University looks forward to continuing our legacy of transforming lives through education and innovation.

FALL 2023 | 19

ADVANCEMENT

The Alumnae and Donor Relations Office has a new name!

Say hello to the newly renamed Advancement Office. Formally known as the Alumnae and Donor Relations Office, the Advancement Office works hard every day to advance the mission of Mount Mary.

Through alumni and donor engagement and leadership programs for students and the community, the advancement team creates personal connections while sharing a passion for Mount Mary’s students and programs. Take a moment to get to know the team!

Amy LaMacchia Senior Director of Advancement

•A my has been part of the advancement team since 2020.

•S he found her way to fundraising as a second career while living in California. Returning home to Milwaukee in 2009, she continued to work for local nonprofits including Skylight Music Theatre and the Urban Ecology Center.

•A my excels at crafting successful donor communications and annual campaigns.

•S he is a strategic thinker and natural collaborator who creates a unique vision for growth and excellence while leading with intention and authenticity.

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Jodi Brodersen White

To contact the Advancement Office, please reach out to Amy LaMacchia at lamaccha@mtmary.edu or (414) 930-3343.

Alexandra Hoslet

Director of Alumni Relations

Women's Leadership Institute Program Manager

• J odi joined Mount Mary after serving as associate director of alumnae relations at St. Joan Antida High School for two years.

•A lexandra joined Mount Mary University in 2018 after working in education and non-profit programming for children and teens.

•P rior to that, she served as director of alumni relations at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas and Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri, where she helped to attain record engagement and raise the profile of each institution.

•A lexandra has a passion for helping women and girls develop their full potential to be transformational leaders.

• J odi attributes her past accomplishments to earning the trust of alums by being authentic and to recognizing that she is just one member of a bigger team.

•S he is thrilled to organize the Voices of Leadership event, plan and run the Summer Leadership Academy for young women in high school and facilitate the LEAD Program, which helps Mount Mary students become thoughtful, self-aware and confident leaders.

Jessica Mulligan, Vice President of Advancement Jessica Mulligan joined Mount Mary University as the new vice president of advancement this December. Most recently, she served as executive director for Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital Foundation. Jessica built her career in development and leadership experience while working at Catholic Memorial High School, Milwaukee School of Engineering and Northwestern Mutual.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in business management and communication studies with an emphasis in public relations and organizational communication from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and MBA degree from Mount Mary University. Jessica resides in Pewaukee with her husband Kevin and their two children, Cassidy and Charlie.

Lisa Breitsprecker, CFRE

Alysha Chapman

Paige Palmisano

Senior Development Officer

Development Database & Donor Services Manager

Alumni Relations Engagement Coordinator

•L isa joined Mount Mary in 2015 after spending two decades supporting and leading successful development and communication efforts for regional non-profits.

•S he began her career path by volunteering with a ministry in Kenya and Tanzania, which led her to pursue a degree in non-profit management.

•P aige joined the alumni office in 2018 as a firstgeneration student studying psychology and communication.

•S he is a proud 2020 graduate of MMU, 2024 MBA candidate, and a certified fund-raising executive (CFRE). In addition to engaging with alums and learning their “why,” Lisa enjoys working with donors to identify the intersection of their philanthropic goals and their dreams for Mount Mary.

•A lysha is a proud Michigander that came to Milwaukee in 2016. She worked at United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Executive Director, Inc. prior to joining the MMU Advancement team in 2022.

•L isa and husband Doug enjoy home life with mom, dogs and a barnyard filled with animals, and are blessed with several children and grandchildren.

• I n her free time, Alysha enjoys cultivating an extensive houseplant collection and being a dog mom.

•A fter becoming an alumna in 2021, she enrolled in Mount Mary's graduate counseling program and officially joined the team full time in 2022 as the alumni relations engagement coordinator.

•P aige enjoys the interpersonal work and relationships that Mount Mary has to offer.

FALL 2023 | 21

FEATURE STORY

TECH HAVEN connects campus

with digital technology

The Haggerty Library is home to the Tech Haven, a new hub for connecting students, faculty and staff with tools for bringing creative visions to life.

Located on the library’s lower level, the Tech Haven is part of a STEM by Design grant recently acquired by the university. The space holds PC and Mac computers with access to the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of design software, as well as a separate room for podcasting. Digital Literacy Specialist Sarah O’Connell oversees the center and serves as its ambassador and trainer, helping to educate the campus community about the available resources.

The Tech Haven has seen a flurry of activity, with classes already stopping in to take advantage of the recording equipment for class projects or just get help learning the basics of commonly used computer programs.

O’Connell stresses the importance of promoting digital literacy as an essential skill for both classroom and career success, but adds that the learning curve of unfamiliar technology can sometimes feel intimidating.

“People assume because students are digital natives that they’re automatically familiar with this technology, which isn’t necessarily true,” she emphasizes.

O’Connell and her staff of student peer collaborators are available to answer questions and offer tutorials, making these resources accessible and helping to build confidence in users.

We’re here to build up students and help them see themselves as capable.

“We’re here to build up students and help them see themselves as capable,” O’Connell says of her team’s role. “We’re going to help figure out what they want to make and set smart goals to accomplish that.”

Rather than just providing information, O’Connell wants to build students into experts who are empowered to seek answers.

“We’re going to normalize saying ‘I don’t know,’ and ‘this is hard, but it will get easier.’

We’ll support people by providing the resources to find solutions and become comfortable with learning.”

As digital literacy becomes increasingly important for all fields, O’Connell plans to continue the conversation with faculty and department chairs about which new tools to add. She also plans to develop workshops and to build a mobile lab to bring available technology directly to the students. n

To schedule a session, MMU students can email mmu-techhaven@mtmary.edu for available times.

Sarah O'Connell (center) with students Grace Kidd (left) and Lucinda Izzo (right) in the Tech Haven.

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CAMPUS NEWS

More students call Mount Mary campus home

The number of students living in Trinity Woods has increased in 2023 to 12 mothers with 15 children among them. Additionally, nine graduate students call this intergenerational community home. Caroline Hall has also seen an increase in residents, housing 219 students during this school year.

MOUNT MARY CONTINUES TO LEAD THE REGION IN SOCIAL MOBILITY Mount Mary once again ranks highly among regional educational institutions in graduating diverse and low-income students, and in providing value for all students regardless of their background, according to the 2023-24 Best Colleges Report by U.S. News and World Report.

Social Mobility: Mount Mary ranks #1 in the

Midwest among regional universities in this category, which measures the success rate of graduating Pell students based upon six-year graduation rates. Last year, Mount Mary was the top-ranked Wisconsin institution in this category and #2 for regional universities.

Ethnic Diversity: Mount Mary is among the top-performing regional institutions in the Midwest for ethnic diversity.

Economic Diversity: With 67% of students

receiving Pell grants, Mount Mary is recognized as one of the top performers in the Midwest among regional universities. The report states: “U.S. News believes that Pell figures are the best available gauge of institutions’ relative commitment to access for all.”

FALL 2023 | 23

CAMPUS NEWS

Grand Opening of the Center for Culture, Identity and Belonging On October 5-6, the former Ewens Center officially opened its doors as the newly envisioned Center for Culture, Identity and Belonging (CCIB). The celebration included a multicultural mixer, with music and dance performances from around the globe, as well as internationally inspired appetizers. Students and alumni shared reflections about the importance of creating a welcoming space on campus. The CCIB will be a hub for student cultural and identity groups at Mount Mary.

I AM

MOUNT MARY PODCAST

This fall, Mount Mary launched the “I Am Mount Mary” podcast, available now on many popular podcast platforms, including Spotify, Google Podcasts and Amazon Music. The podcast showcases the many stories that make up the fabric of the university and the fascinating people who proudly say ‘I Am Mount Mary.’

Listeners can access the podcast directly from mtmary.edu. New episodes will be added weekly.

Growth in academic programs and diversity The 2023-24 academic year saw rapid expansion in several programs. Among the fastest growing undergraduate majors are business administration, with a 50% increase, psychological science, with a 43% increase and nursing, up 25%.

Diversity at the university also continues to build, as 66% of undergraduates and 40% of post baccalaureate and postmasters certificate enrollees identify as students of color. Doctoral, masters and graduate special students have increased to 26% students of color, representing the most diverse graduate class in Mount Mary history.

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Blue Angels Athletics honored for academic excellence Congratulations to Coach Natalie

Balleto and the Mount Mary Women’s volleyball team for earning the 2023 USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award, which honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that maintain a year-long GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.

CAMPUS NEWS

This fall, Mount Mary welcomed its inaugural class of Dr. Shawnee Daniels-Sykes Scholars.

This unique program offers a structured opportunity for incoming African American women to feel an increased sense of belonging while participating in a semester -long program that provides support and mentorship, success-building strategies and community.

The initial cohort connected 23 students with eight upper class peer mentors and over 20 facilitators who are MMU faculty, staff, alumni and Milwaukee community partners. Upon successful completion of the program, Sykes scholars will receive a stipend to use for books, personal needs or tuition.

The Daniel-Sykes Scholars program is named in honor of Dr. Shawnee Daniels-Sykes, a beloved professor who passed away in fall 2022.

Dr. Shawnee’s passion for excellence and social justice will leave a legacy at Mount Mary, and this initiative honoring her will provide personal transformation for students for many years to come.

The program was made possible by grants from the School Sisters of Notre Dame and Interfaith America.

Food and Beverage Wisconsin (FaB)

MMU delegates connect with Representatives from Mount Mary visited Amazon’s Arlington, Virginia office in October to learn more about the possibilities for embracing rapidly accelerating technology in the classroom. Led by President Cherney, the group met with Amazon Web Services to learn about the cloud platforms that support artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics.

Food and Beverage Wisconsin (FaB) hosted their annual Farm-Factory-Fork Career Discovery event on Mount Mary's campus on Wednesday, Oct. 11 in the Alumnae Dining Hall.

We welcomed nearly 300 high school students and 20 food and beverage companies to campus. The event was a great way for students to learn about internships and career opportunities in the industry and gave students a chance to learn about Mount Mary's programs in food science and dietetics.

Dr. Anne Vravik presenting to visiting high school students at the Farm-Factory-Fork event.

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ACHIEVEMENTS

ACCOLADES

This section highlights recent noteworthy accomplishments and awards of Mount Mary University faculty, staff and students.

Summer Fashion Academy Celebrates a Successful Year Assistant professors of fashion, Trish Kuehnl (below) and Elena Pitts (left), planned and managed the most successful summer Fashion Academy to date. Over 50 eighth graders to high school seniors enjoyed an immersive week filled with design and merchandising classes and activities.

The week wrapped with a standing room only fashion show and reception for family and friends to celebrate their students’ accomplishments.

2024 DATES:

Sunday, June 16, 2024 to Saturday, June 22, 2024

FACULTY AND STAFF Keri Alioto, Ed.D., Vice President of Student Affairs, completed her doctor of education degree in higher education administration from Northern Illinois University.

Her dissertation was titled “Leaving My Mark in White Spaces: A Critical Qualitative Case Study Exploring Black/African-American Undergraduate Women’s Perceptions of the Campus Environment’s Influence on Persistence at a Hispanic-Serving Institution.”

Kristen Carioti, Ph.D., Business, was promoted to dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Carioti was a faculty member in the former School of Business for 12 years and served as MBA program director and department chair.

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Kara Coleman, CPA, MBA, Business, was selected to receive the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs Diversity & Inclusion Impact Award, honored at the Institute’s Annual Meeting in May 2023. Kara’s achievement is a direct result of her contribution and dedication to the accounting profession.

Yvonne Greer, DrPH, RD, CD, Dietetics, was the recipient of the National Award for Excellence in Community and Public Health Practice from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This award recognizes outstanding leadership in dietetics, and was presented in October at the National Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) in Colorado.

Mount Mary president named Milwaukee Woman of Influence President Isabelle Cherney, Ph.D., was recognized as one of Milwaukee’s 2023 “Women of Influence” by the Milwaukee Business Journal.

The list recognizes prominent business and community leaders committed to making the city a better place to live, work and play.

ACHIEVEMENTS & ACCOLADES

Ethan Harrod, Ph.D., Psychology, successfully defended his dissertation “Understanding the African American Vagal Advantage: Anticipation, and Regulation in the Face of Racism” in June 2023 at UW-Madison.

Kari Inda, Ph.D., OTR/L, CEAS, Occupational Therapy, was appointed by Governor Evers and confirmed by the State Senate in April 2023 to serve on the Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board for the State of Wisconsin for a four-year term as a board member.

Amy Lauer, Ph.D., Psychology and Victoria Lawrence, Psychological Science Major, presented "The Science of Psychology" to high school students in June 2023 as part of the STEM Pathways during the Summer Leadership Academy.

Claire Lockard, Ph.D., Philosophy, presented on the panel “Academic Labor Organizing,” American Philosophical Association/American Association of Philosophy Teachers Teaching Hub, Central Division, Denver in February 2023.

Heather Leigh, DAT, ATR-BC, LCPC, Art Therapy, was invited to be a full reviewer on the journal review board for Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association in June 2023.

Jason Meyler, Ph.D., Global Studies, and Vanessa Varela, M.A., education, recorded an interview with renowned Hispanic serving institution scholar, Dr. Gina Garcia for her ¿Qué pasa, HSIs? podcast.

R. Zac Karanovich, Ph.D., Theology, presented “Agency on the Other Side of Oppression: Evaluating Moral Constraints on the Freedom for Solidarity” at the Annual Convention of the Catholic Theological Society of America in June 2023.

Melinda Kiltz, MSW, MPA, Social Work, is a co-author of a new 8th edition of an introduction to social work textbook "The Social Work Experience: A Case-Based Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare" (8th ed.) Suppes, M.A., Cressy Wells, C. & Kiltz, M.L. Pearson. It was released May 1, 2023.

Mary Ellen Kohn-Buday, Ph.D., World Languages, presented “An Experimental and Successful Approach to Teaching the 'Pesky' Intermediate Level" at the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese Conference in Salamanca, Spain in June 2023.

Jennifer Kontny, Ph.D., English, co-published the article "Capacitating Community: The Writing Innovation Symposium" in the Community Literacy Journal, 17.2, spring 2023.

Inspired by nature Jordan Acker Anderson, Arts and Sciences, was an Artist-inResidence at McKinley Elementary-Wauwatosa School District in spring 2023. She worked with 100 students to help create large-scale, collaborative painting projects inspired by historical artists and shapes from Wisconsin nature.

FALL 2023 | 27

ACHIEVEMENTS & ACCOLADES

Recognizing Excellence in Teaching Congratulations to Louise Kessler, Ph.D., Biology, (right) who was awarded the 2023 Mount Mary University Full-time Teaching Excellence Award and Victoria Fisher Keough, Biology and Chemistry, (left) who was awarded the 2023 Mount Mary University Part-Time Teaching Excellence Award. Kessler and Keough-Fischer both work with the Jewel Scholars program, which expands access to STEM careers for women and underrepresented students, with the purpose of growing the talent pool of highly skilled scientists in the Milwaukee area.

Megan Oertel, Health Sciences Simulation Lab Manager, was invited to speak at the 24th Annual International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH), which will take place January 2024 in San Diego. Her presentation focuses on her work modifying and rebuilding manikins to fit the need for emergency room simulations in the lab, with added ability for students to practice chest tube insertion with blood return and simulate Intraosseous line insertion directly into a patient’s bone.

Hannah Sternig, Director of Student Life, made an appearance on the Milwaukee Philanthropic Community Podcast to discuss her work with the Madonna Fund Endowment, a program that provides financial support for students who are single mothers.

Vanessa Vasquez, Director of Caroline and Grace Scholarship programs was recognized as one of Wisconsin’s 40 Most Influential Latino Leaders for 2023 by Madison 365, a local nonprofit community news outlet from Madison, Wisconsin. Vasquez, along with her family, was awarded the Hispanic Family of the Year award by UMOS a nonprofit advocacy group in Wisconsin that operates in six different states for their service and efforts in the community.

Remembering Dr. Lela Joscelyn Former associate professor of behavioral science (now psychological science) at Mount Mary University Dr. Lela Joscelyn passed away this fall. Joscelyn was a member of Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, and served as honors program director and assistant academic dean. In addition, she was a mentor for Education for Ministry, a group nurturing Christian principles, reflection and service to others.

Friends, family, former students and colleagues shared fond memories at a memorial service on October 14 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Milwaukee.

Joscelyn is remembered as a friend and mentor who brought light to the many lives that she touched throughout the years.

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S imone Tatum '23 with her daughter at May 2023 commencement.

Helping student parents achieve academic dreams Mount Mary University is among the inaugural 13 higher educational institutions receiving the Family U seal for its work with student parents. Created by Generation Hope, this national certification recognizes higher educational institutions and nonprofit organizations making significant strides in serving student parents and helping them achieve outstanding educational outcomes.

Dan Vinson, Library Director, wrapped up the American Library Association’s Civic Imagination Stations grant in April with a storytelling booth launch event in the library café space. Collaborators included the Mount Mary composition department and nonprofit arts partner Story MKE. Wendy A. Weaver, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair, Humanities and Cheryl Bailey, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Graduate Health and Professional Programs, co-wrote and published chapter 12, “Building Reciprocal Relationships for Careers and Lifelong Learning,” in Resource Handbook for Academic Deans, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2023.

ACHIEVEMENTS & ACCOLADES

Student leaders celebrated achievements

Seven Mount Mary students were •C hantel Gates, art therapy major, awarded prestigious federally-funded was recently awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships prestigious Gilman Scholarship in 2023: that funded her summer, month long, study abroad experience • Nicole Ayala in Panama. She studied Spanish • Bolingo Bokul and her heritage, and was able • Melissa Hurtado Reyes to connect with relatives for • Aniana Robertson the first time. Her story was • Paris Throne featured on a episode of the • Ivana Torres "I Am Mount Mary" podcast.

• Cassidy Wolverton

STUDENTS Matthew Colinelli, Melissa McDermot and Gina Walter, clinical mental health counseling students, were awarded a $5,000 Qualified Treatment Trainee Graduate Student Award, funded by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Care and Treatment Services.

Jessica Martinez-Casillas, communication integrated marketing major, received a highly competitive LaGrant Foundation Scholarship in May 2023 and participated in a three-day networking and training event in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Sarah Hoffman, professional entry master of science in occupational therapy student, was chosen as the recipient of the Douglas J. Mickelson Graduate Student Scholarship this summer. Sarah was also chosen as the recipient for the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Don Anderson Scholarship, and the Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association Endowed Scholarship awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. She will graduate with her degree in December.

In May 2023, the Milwaukee Press Club awarded several Excellence in Journalism Awards to Arches student publication.

Winning awards were: • Best Blog – Jeana Prudhomme • Best Short Hard Feature Story – Sam Dahm • Best Original Podcast – Katlyn Garcia, Elizabeth Swiger, Kayla Vega, Anastasha Parry and Giselle Martin Gomez

Mary Parlier, mathematics major, received the Wisconsin Mathematics Council’s Sister Mary Petronia Van Straten Scholarship for pre-service teachers in May 2023. She also completed a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Marquette University on data science, focusing on computer science education in Wisconsin in summer 2023.

Chiền Binh Nhỏ Sơn, clinical mental health counseling student, is one of Cream City Foundation’s 2023 LGBTQ scholarship recipients.

Danielle Muhr, integrated masters dietetics student, was awarded the Kroger-Roundy’s Game Changer Scholarship in August.

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ACHIEVEMENTS & ACCOLADES

MOUNT MARY NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Eileen Schwalbach, Ph.D., was an English teacher in Milwaukee Public Schools for 25 years. Her roles at Mount Mary have included associate professor, director of the graduate program in education and chair of the faculty assembly. In 2009 she became the university’s 11th president.

Schwalbach was instrumental in developing the Grace and Caroline Scholars programs. During her time as president, the endowment rose by $15 million. Schwalbach served on many boards during her time at MMU, including the Council of Independent Colleges. Currently, she is a community volunteer and member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame's ministry commission.

Joel Brennan brings more than 25 years of experience working in both the public and private sectors.

He was selected as president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee in December 2021. He previously served as secretary of the department of administration in Governor Tony Evers’ administration where he helped support the state’s public health and economic response to COVID-19. Brennan has also previously held roles as president & CEO of Discovery World, head of Milwaukee’s development authority and vice president of development and government affairs for the Greater Milwaukee Convention & Visitors Bureau (now Visit Milwaukee).

Jeff Scott is the vice president of enterprise commercial operations for Johnson Controls.

Previously, he worked at GE Healthcare as chief operating officer for the U.S. and Canada region. Scott is an Iraq War combat veteran, having served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is a graduate of Dominican High School and UW-Milwaukee, and earned a MBA from Marquette University.

Scott is a Milwaukee native currently living in Brookfield and is father to three children, Daniel, Rachel and Sarah.

Farewell to outgoing Trustees

Janet Abbacchi, SSND is a member of the SSND Central Pacific Province.

She has a bachelor’s degree in history and sociology and a master’s in school administration. Throughout her career she served in many roles in education, from teacher to superintendent, as well as director of faith formations and secretary of education for the SSNDs at the generalate in Rome.

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Sue Bellehumeur recently retired as managing director and branch office manager at Baird, Waukesha. She has degree in business from Mount Mary and MBA from Marquette University.

Bellehumeur has served as a trustee on Mount Mary’s board for 16 years and is a member of the finance and investment committee.

Mary Jo Layden is a community leader with a degree in social work from Marquette University.

She serves on the boards of Discovery World, the Holocaust Education Resource Center and Friends of Lakeshore State Park. Layden was recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal as a Woman of Influence in 2018.

Sandra Ann Weinke, SSND has been involved in the spiritual ministries of formation, retreat work, and spiritual direction for over four decades. She has master’s degrees in theology and spirituality.

She has previously worked as a missionary in Nigeria and taught at Mount Mary for 20 years.

CLASS NOTES Celebrating the Mount Mary Legacy Across Generations The Marian Club celebrates the 50-year graduation mark for our alumni. Geri-lynn O’Boyle Bialzik ’73 was among those celebrating this milestone at our October Homecoming event. She shared the story of her mother, Vivienne Muench O’Boyle ’40, also an alumna who received her Marian Club pin in 1990. O’Boyle majored in Latin and education with a French minor. She passed on at the age of 92 in 2009.

Like her mother, Bialzik majored in math and education, and minored in French as a student at Mount Mary. After graduation, she taught math for 33 years in the West Allis School District and served as the district’s math resource teacher.

Thanks to Geri-lynn for sharing this story of her Mount Mary family legacy!

(Top) Geri-lynn O’Boyle Bialzik ’73; (Bottom) Vivienne Muench O’Boyle ’40

1980-1989 1989 Shari Bernard is co-author of the 2004 Sharon Siriwardena is an newly published book, “Adult Feeding, Eating and Swallowing, Occupational Therapy Dysphagia Management.”

2000-2009 2000 Rachael Cabral-Guevara

is the 2023 senator elect for the 19th district-Fox Valley region, as well as assembly representative for the 55th district-Neenah/Fox Valley region.

Cabral-Guevara owns and operates a direct pay healthcare clinic.

artist by profession and self-taught cake decorator. Sharon has won several awards, including the Homebakers Virtual Cake Competition in June 2020 – Merit Award in the Cupcake Category. She has been featured in major Sugar Craft magazines in the U.K. and U.S. including Cake Masters and American Cake Decorating magazine. Siriwardena is also the cake collective ambassador for the United States and Sri Lanka.

2004 Brooke Schloss welcomed her third daughter on June 8, 2023.

2005 Tiffany Stark was appointed

to serve on the board of directors for Disability Rights of Wisconsin in 2022 and then elected to be the group’s secretary in 2023. She is also the chair of PAIMI Advisory Council, which helps the staff and board of directors of Disability Rights Wisconsin set priorities and create policies on issues that affect people with mental illness.

Be part of our creative conversations. Like and follow us

Instagram (@mountmaryuniversity)

FALL 2023 | 31

CLASS NOTES

2017 Kathy Lanzarotti had

Alumni Outreach

President Cherney and Lisa Breitsprecker, CFRE senior development officer, had the opportunity to meet with a group of Illinois alums on August 19 during an intimate lunch at Froggy's French Cafe in Highwood, IL. Pictured clockwise are Dr. Isabelle Cherney, Mary Sladky Gramins '62, Helen Finkler '63, Anne Doyle Meyer '53, Lisa Breitsprecker '20, Therese Smith '63 and Claudia Goyert Cirrincione '87.

2008 Loni Luna presented at

STEM Design: Navigating the Path to Leadership in October 2023. She shared her experience as a Hispanic woman working in the tech industry and how she has successfully navigated her career.

2010-2019 2012 Kerri Lukasavitz published

2014 Laura Bavlnka appeared on

the ‘Hot Coffee for the Creative Soul’ podcast to discuss the challenges of creativity in her industry. Bavlnka is owner of Bavlnka Brand Atelier, a boutique in Milwaukee featuring her original designs.

2016 Berenice Bahena Jurado

joined Advocate Aurora Health as a recruiter for the Nurse Extern Program.

“Ghost Horse,” the fourth book in her Oak Lane Stable Novel Series, which was released in October 2023.

several short stories published in 2023. Among her recently published works are “Glow Worm Farm” in New Pop Lit; “Exit Strategy” in Fiction on the Web; “Sensitive” in Dissections; “The Headless Pig Statue” in Bone Parade; “The Beast Slouches Onward” in Dark Fire Fiction and “House Sitters” in Idle Ink. Lanzarotti has two additional forthcoming stories: “Bestiola Arbor” in All World’s Wayfarer and “Layover in Key West” in Amarillo Bay.

2018 Carlie O'Donnell started a new position as an assistant district attorney at the Kenosha County district attorney's Office.

2019 Lexie Kline began a new

position as associate merchant at Kohl's for the men’s basics and sleep office.

2020-Present 2020 Johnelle Suto-Ashley

started a new position as student representative at Oregon Society of Physician Assistants Pacific University.

2021 Daeja Hollins celebrated

her one-year anniversary as marketing technology coordinator at Foley & Lardner LLP.

“ALUMNAE” EVOLVES TO “ALUMNI”

As Mount Mary celebrates 110 years, we reflect on all that has changed since the university first opened its doors.

Mount Mary University prides itself on its acceptance and embrace of progressive values.

When first established in 1913 (then St. Mary’s College) the institution offered young women the opportunity to gain an education that would empower them to make a difference in the world.

While our undergraduate programs remain female serving, our graduate programs are now open to all genders. In response to this growth and to better align with our mission, we are shifting toward the use of the more inclusive term “alumni.”

As we move forward, we continually strive to preserve Mount Mary’s long honored tradition of providing our students with a sense of belonging and an educational setting in which they feel listened to. In keeping the values of the School Sisters of Notre Dame at the forefront of our work, we continue to help students to reach their full potential and transform the world.

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CLASS NOTES

Fashion alum shines as emerging designer Mount Mary Fashion alum Nohemi Chavez '23 was awarded the "Emerging Designer Award" at the 2023 Fashion Fest MKE, which took place September 17 at Bayshore Mall. Chavez is also one of the first recipients of a six-month artist's residency at the newly established Mitchell Street Arts Collective. We look forward to seeing the many great things she will accomplish in her flourishing career!

2022 Nia Taylor was a speaker

at the virtual Endless Possibilities conference this year, talking about vicarious trauma and started a new position as project assistant for the nursing scholars program at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

2022 Trisha Xiong was promoted

to training specialist at Augmedix and returned to Mount Mary as a panelist for the Dr. Jewel Plummer Cobb scholarship program.

Calling

ALL ALUMS! SEND US YOUR UPDATES! ACCESS OUR ONLINE FORM AT: MTMARY.EDU/ALUMNAE

NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2024 ALUMNI AWARDS ARE OPEN The Mount Mary community is full of inspiring, high-achieving, dedicated alumni. These individuals have gone above and beyond in their personal and professional lives, demonstrated a strong commitment to the University and are on a path to leadership.

Mount Mary University would like to recognize these outstanding alums. If you or someone you know embodies the Mount Mary commitment to service, social justice and compassion, please consider nominating them for a TOWER or MADONNA MEDAL award.

Nominations are accepted year-round.

Visit mtmary.edu/nominations for more details.

FALL 2023 | 33

STUDENT IMPACT FUND

Making an impact on student success At its core, student retention means that those who start college return year after year and ultimately graduate with a degree. But at Mount Mary, retention means so much more. In keeping true to our mission of educating the whole person, we strive to be a place where students feel they belong and can be successful.

Some of the ways Mount Mary works to help our students persist to graduation are through institutionally funded, long standing programs and new initiatives such as:

✽ Compass Year ✽ Scholarship Support ✽ Success Advisors ✽ Student Success Center ✽ Academic Advising by faculty in major ✽ S ummer Outreach and new student onboarding experiences

✽ Mount Mary Moment Series ✽ Student Life ✽ New Student Advocates ✽ And many more

Knowing that I have support and that there are people who are rooting for me makes me happy. — JAMELLIA BLAKELY '23 As a campus, we strive to meet our students where they are and offer them the best support we can to help them reach their goals. Your support of the Student Impact Fund means we can continue to focus on offering students the best academic experience possible while ensuring they have access to the services they need. All while feeling a deep sense of connection to the Mount Mary community. n To give to the Student Impact Fund return the enclosed envelope or go online to mtmary.edu/give. For questions, please contact Amy LaMacchia at (414) 930-3343.

CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF '23 FRIDAY

4 p.m. Hooding Ceremony honoring

Dec. 15, 2023 the accomplishments of our graduate students 6 p.m. Baccalaureate Mass 7 p.m. Light of Learning Ceremony

SATURDAY

Dec. 16, 2023

11 a.m. Commencement

Details at mtmary.edu/commencement

I AM MOUNT MARY 34 | FALL 2023

IN MEMORIAM 1973 Kathleen Snell Choren* on 8/15/2023

1947 Virginia Haas Bonness on 3/9/2023

1971

1953 Maureen Buckley Havel on 2/11/2023

Lorraine Cary on 3/17/2022

1954 Mary Ann Poole on 7/14/2023

1962 Janice Daniel Grant on 2/26/2023

1953 Joan Ehret Stephenson on 7/30/2023

1950 Barbara Victor Shea on 8/15/23

1951 Phyllis Makowski Scharner* on 7/26/2023 1965 Margaret Foley Hager on 4/28/2017

Retired Employees

1952 Virginia Landgraf Halaska on 6/16/2023

1966 Georgeann Krzyzanowski, SSND on 5/16/2023

1953 Edith Gramling Tomsyck on 2/2/2023

Lela Joscelyn, Ph.D. on 8/26/23

1986 M. Immaculata Osterhaus on 7/19/2022

Marilyn Hintz, Ph.D. on 10/20/2023

1961 Susan Uebelacker on 1/2/2023 1994 Leslie Fox on 7/7/2022

* Fidelis Society member

1957 Bridget McLoughlin Nice on 7/24/2022

List of deaths reported to the office as of November 2, 2023.

Please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (414) 930-3025 or mmu-alumnae@mtmary.edu to notify us of the passing of an alum.

FALL 2023 | 35

REFLECTION

Many Christians are familiar with the concepts of discernment and vocation. Vocation comes from the word “vocare,” which means “to call.” In the Christian tradition, we know that Jesus called people to join him in his work.

Those who were called to minister with him trusted him, even when it meant leaving behind what was known for something unknown.

This is much like the college experience, when students undertake the risk of an unknown future with hope and trust that this intense time of formation will eventually lead to the lives they were intended to live.

By Andrea Stapleton, Ph.D. Vice President for Mission and Justice College is often associated with critical thinking; gaining skills and knowledge that will land someone their dream job and a good income. This is an understandable priority.

But equally important is finding one’s true calling: work that will lead to the realization of one’s purpose.

The importance of reflection As a Catholic university, we care for the development of the whole person. The SSND educational vision has at its core the development of both mind and heart, and we recognize this in the words “Virtus et Scientia” emblazoned on our university seal. Students enter college with the capacity and desire to emerge from their studies as something “more.” They are open to growth.

Many students begin with career aspirations, but upon graduation realize how much they have transformed as a whole person.

They recognize that the aspirations set in life are more than just what will earn them an income, but what will satisfy their lives, their dreams, and their souls.

Another part of understanding one’s calling is developing the self-awareness to recognize one’s unique gifts. This awareness helps a young person discover where she or he will feel the most inclined to thrive. This is an important step toward creating a life in which a job is not just work, but a fulfillment of one’s call to serve the world. In many spiritual traditions, the process of finding God includes paying attention to the desires of one’s heart. Discernment helps us to discover that our deepest longings reveal the path that will bring us the most peace and purpose.

Where education meets vocation Education comes from the word “educare,” which means “to lead out or bring forth.” Our roles within the Catholic university community are to not only impart intellectual knowledge to our students, but to lead them to develop in mind and heart. We are facilitators of this drawing out process, to bring forth students into self-understanding and toward fulfillment of their whole selves.

Those of us at different stages of life’s journey after graduation recognize commencement as only the beginning. Accumulated life experience can help us become role models and leaders who nurture students and help them in their process of self-reflection. Additionally, we nurture one another by creating an environment that supports our many talents, identities, and expressions of who we are each called to be. n

Our roles within the Catholic university community are to not only impart intellectual knowledge to our students, but to lead them to develop in mind and heart.

36 | FALL 2023

Thank You “GRATITUDE IS A FLOWER THAT BLOOMS IN NOBLE SOULS.” Pope Francis

We are grateful every day for you – our community of alumni, supporters and friends. You make it possible for students to succeed as leaders who are changing the world with their kindness, confidence and expertise.

Thank you!

FALL 2023 | 37

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE

PAID

MILWAUKEE, WI PERMIT NO. 340

2900 North Menomonee River Parkway Milwaukee, WI 53222-4597 mtmary.edu

YOU CAN MAKE AN IMPACT BY SUPPORTING THE STUDENT IMPACT FUND Each semester, every student who returns to Mount Mary is one step closer to graduation. You can help students get closer to the finish line by providing the academic, financial and social resources needed so they can feel connected and be successful semester after semester!

Your gift helps ensure that students who start their college journey at MMU have the tools and resources needed to finish it!

Please give today by returning the enclosed envelope or going to www.mtmary.edu/give For questions contact Amy LaMacchia at (414) 930-3343

GIFT OF STOCK | DONOR-ADVISED FUND | PLANNED GIFT | IRA DISTRIBUTION | MONTHLY SUPPORT | OR SCAN HERE: