Together, We Thrive: A Vision for Marywood's Future

Today marks a historic milestone for Marywood, and for me personally, as I formally step into the role of Marywood's 13th president, the first lay president to serve this university.

I feel the importance of this moment...I am humbled and honored to serve my alma mater, Marywood University, and to be formally inaugurated today.

As we ignite the light of this new era, I ask you to indulge me for a moment, as we reflect on Marywood’s remarkable journey over the past 109 years. Our story began in 1915 as a college for women, but roots extend even deeper—179 years to 1845, when the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was founded in a humble log cabin along the River Raisin in Monroe, Michigan.

At the heart of this extraordinary Congregation was a remarkable woman: Mother Theresa Maxis.

Born in 1810, Theresa was of Haitian descent and born to unwed parents. Theresa faced the harsh realities of a society that held her identity in contempt. Yet, it was precisely these challenges that fueled her resolve to create a better future for others.

In 1845, Theresa took the bold step of co-founding the IHM Congregation, dedicated to providing educational opportunities for young women at a time when access to education was severely limited. She understood that knowledge is power, and she fought tirelessly for the rights of girls to receive an education.

Theresa faced immense obstacles, including deep-seated racism, patriarchy, and sexism. She confronted powerful opposition and was labeled a troublemaker for her independence and unwavering conviction. Despite being banned from her community, her spirit endured. As one historian noted, few religious founders have navigated such a “tortuous path,” yet Theresa persevered, lighting the way for those who would follow.

Although Theresa Maxis passed away in 1892, her legacy of conviction, faith, resilience, and empowerment remains the foundation upon which Marywood was built. 

In 1915, her vision inspired the IHM Sisters in Scranton to establish Marywood College, beginning with just 34 students and a handful of programs. This was the first college for women in Northeast Pennsylvania and the first Catholic college for women in the state, born from a desire to educate a marginalized group of people—girls, who were the daughters of immigrants who came to Scranton to work in the coal mines, railroads, and industries that were at the heart of the region’s economy back then.

Hearing Teresa Maxis' story for the first time a few years ago truly struck a chord with me. While my circumstances differ from hers, I understand the struggle of fighting against the odds and sometimes challenging the establishment to overcome obstacles.

When I entered that courtroom for the first time in 1999 as a young lawyer in Philadelphia, my opponent was an Ivy League graduate, and he was from one of the most prestigious law firms in the country. It was clear that the judge was treating me differently than him. To say I was unnerved is an understatement. 

I knew this was just the beginning for me, and I would be subject to disparate treatment in future cases, and I was right. But through hard work and determination, and a feisty spirit, I navigated hurdles and achieved significant successes over my 25-year legal career. All of this has been possible thanks to the strong foundation Marywood instilled in me, all rooted in the vision of Theresa Maxis.

More than a century later, I am that girl from Northeastern PA—Pittston, to be exact—a first generation student to obtain a college degree. I am the embodiment of Theresa’s vision to create a more equitable and compassionate world, and I will carry forward the mission of Marywood, inspired by Theresa Maxis, willingly and proudly into our future. I know in my heart that Theresa Maxis would be immensely proud of what Marywood is today.

Marywood is no longer the small college it once was in 1915, with 34 students and a handful of programs. Today, Marywood is a thriving co-educational university with nearly 3,000 students, from diverse backgrounds and geographic regions, offering over 80 academic top ranked programs, across a variety of fields, all led by nationally and internationally acclaimed faculty. 

Our graduates are the most compelling testament to Marywood’s excellence. They have achieved success in diverse fields, working with renowned organizations like Disney, DreamWorks and Skywalker Sound, and holding leadership positions such as President of Daytona International Speedway and CEO of a publicly traded bank.

Our alumni thrive.  For example, a nutritionist for the Cincinnati Bengals, an athletic trainer for the Florida Panthers, and a journalist at a prestigious media outlet like the BBC.They lead in healthcare and psychology, business, architecture, aviation, social work, law, education, and the creative and performing arts, making an impact in cities across the United States and around the world, positively influencing countless lives.

Marywood University is not just an educational institution; we are an economic engine for our community, every year providing over 600 jobs and contributing significantly to the local economy. 

Our Marywood community is truly global. Our students come from every corner of the United States and around the world. With our international virtual and other programs, we are welcoming students from countries as far away as South Korea, Egypt, China, and, most recently, Colombia, South America.

And we are not stopping there; we continue to explore opportunities for expansion into even more nations. This evolution of Marywood reflects our unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusion, empowerment for all, belonging, and relentless growth. 

Let me take a moment to emphasize the importance of inclusivity. Earlier this year, I had the privilege of spending a week in Rome at the Vatican, where I met with about 20 leaders from Catholic institutions. We had a private audience with Pope Francis. His message was one of inclusivity and respect for the value of each person’s life, regardless of background, characteristics or differences, and a rejection of discrimination of all kinds.

At Marywood, we strive to be a safe haven for everyone to be their true selves, regardless of their differences. This commitment to inclusivity has been the heart of Marywood's mission since our founding, and it will continue to guide us into the future. 

So, what is my vision? I have given a glimpse of it, but I’ll articulate it clearly.

I envision a Marywood where we come together to elevate one another, fostering a culture of collaboration at every level. Our success will be rooted in teamwork. As Ecclesiastes reminds us, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."

These aren’t just hollow words. My leadership team is intentionally designed to break down silos and to work together for the common good of the university and our students. We will champion initiatives that promote inclusivity and expand access to education, both locally, nationally and globally, ensuring that the legacy of Theresa Maxis and the IHM Sisters continues to inspire future generations.

We are committed to fostering an environment where every voice is heard, every dream is nurtured, and every individual is empowered to reach their fullest potential.

During our private audience with Pope Francis, he shared words of wisdom that I hold dear: “The only time we should ever look down on someone is when we are lifting them up.”

Our goal is to create a transformative, interdisciplinary, and immersive educational experience that nurtures ethically minded and socially responsible graduates.

I started my job on July 1, 2024, and, since then, we have been working toward this vision. Many of you are aware of our plans, such as:

Launching new capital campaigns to:

• Upgrade our science laboratories to offer a state-of-the-art experience to our students in science and STEM programs; and
• Enhance and elevate our athletic facilities for our 400 plus student athletes.

• Focusing on growth and continuing to broaden our reach across the USA and internationally—we just expanded into Columbia, South America, and we are not stopping there. 

• Expanding our study abroad program.
• Re-imagining existing programs for today’s students’ needs and creating new programs for tomorrow’s learners. 

• Incorporating experiential learning, interdisciplinary offerings, and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality. 

• Forging partnerships with industry and government to enrich and expand educational, career and campus opportunities and experiences for our students...and, so much more. 

We are not afraid to dream, and dream big! We have big plans and we’re going to fulfill them! As we move forward together, let us ignite the light of possibility.

As we pursue these goals, I want to remind you that our journey at Marywood, and in life, may not always be smooth. The world is changing rapidly, and so is higher education. Let us embrace these changes with courage and determination. This is where Marywoodians shine—in overcoming challenges and coming out bigger, bolder and better and stronger! That’s who we are!

In advancing these ideals, I want to quote Winston Churchill, who said: “Never, never, never give up.”

Remember, “There’s a spark in you, you just have to ignite the light and let it shine! 

[“Firework” Performance by Marywood Musicians.]

Thank you for that wonderful performance, and thank you for your trust, your support, and your commitment to this incredible journey. Let’s shine together and make this experience unforgettable!