VU-SEED

Steve McWilliams has served as Advisor to Students Living with Disabilities at Villanova since 1993 and received his Ph.D. and M.F.A. from Temple University. McWilliams handles student advisement, ADA inquiries, academic support and faculty training, and issues of accessibility. In addition to these responsibilities, McWilliams is the founder and co-director of the Social Justice Documentary Film Program, where he has produced and directed students in making over 15 award-winning films. A frequent subject of his creative work has been the topic of living with a disability.

McWilliams is the founder and president of Point Guard Media, a production company specializing in Advocacy Media for non-profit organizations. He has been a lifelong entrepreneur and has successfully founded and run three companies. Additionally, McWilliams has written, produced, and directed for stage, television and screen. He has written extensively on disability topics including his recent book, Green Bananas: The Wisdom of Father Bill Atkinson.

Jamie Davis has served in executive roles for major corporations including News Corporation, ESPN, Comcast and Fanatics since 2001. A proven entrepreneur, Davis was the fifth member of the Fox Sports (NFL on Fox) launch team in 1994 and since that time has launched seven additional television networks. Additionally, Davis expanded his experience to e-commerce and served as the President of Fanatics, the largest online retailer of licensed sports merchandise. He has a global view on business having lived and worked in Asia for 12 years and served as the President of News Corp. China and Managing Director of ESPN STAR Sports in Singapore. 

Possessing an MBA and having been a CPA in New York, Davis is currently an instructor for Syracuse University’s Boots to Business program which helps US service members transition from active duty to business ownership. In this role, Davis has aided hundreds of America’s bravest launch their second careers through new business creation. Mr. Davis has also served on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Pennsylvania since 2008.

Stephen Sheridan, Jr. has been a member of the disability community at Villanova University as a student, alumnus and employee for over 22 years. After several years in private industry as an investment accountant, Stephen returned to Villanova to work in the Controller’s Office. From there, he transitioned into the Office of Planning and Institutional Research where works closely with the University on coordination and preparation of accreditation visits, correspondences, finalization of reports, and updating institutional files. He also provides expertise in the design and implementation of assessment activities and the interpretation of data related to student development and learning outcomes.

Stephen is a member of Villanova’s Senate Budget Committee and serves as the Treasurer for his regional professional association, the North East Association for Institutional Research. Additionally, Stephen teaches Financial Management and Strategic Planning in Villanova’s Online Master of Public Administration Program. He also serves as a co-facilitator in the University’s Intergroup Relations Program that provides undergraduate experiences for credit in creating understanding relationships among people from different social, economic, racial, and ethnic groups. Communication skills related to careful listening and meaningful dialogue are also discussed and developed for all who participate.

Marybeth Avioli worked at Villanova University for over 24 years, including 17 years in University Information Technologies as the University trainer for software and computer programs, where she taught and created educational materials for faculty and staff. As a Technology Support Services staff member, she provided front-facing IT services and solutions to the Villanova community. Marybeth was responsible for the design and implementation of the University website, authoring tools, web applications, and websites where she focused on UX and IT solutions.

Marybeth also worked within the Villanova University Division of Student Life as the IT, web and assessment coordinator for Student Life departments and student organizations. She assisted with the VU-Seed program as a designer and program developer along with Steve McWilliams and Jamie Davis.

Greg Hannah has worked in Disability Services as a counselor, advisor and advocate for the past 10 years. He received his Master’s Degree from Villanova University where he specialized in counseling special populations. Currently, he serves as the Assistant Director for Disability Services at Villanova University. He is the founder and Director of LEVEL, an advocacy group that has been recognized nationally for its work with the disability community.

Greg has also worked in media production, focusing on the area of disability awareness. He is one of the founding producers of Mission Possible with Eric Legrand, a show that focuses on stories within the disabled community. Greg has worked extensively with United Cerebral Palsy and the Christopher Reeves Foundation in promoting opportunities for people living with disabilities.

• An individually-based curriculum and support system with the understanding that disabilities are varied and that individual consideration of varied abilities is imperative.
  
• Four distinct modules, including a 4-day workshop that gives individuals with disabilities the momentum needed to build their own business.
  
• Provides a pre-test and determines individual aptitude, passion and skill level needed to become an entrepreneur.
  
• Identifies and educates participants about navigating through the barriers to start a business, particularly those that often discourage individuals with disabilities away from entrepreneurship.
  
• Reviews policy tools, resources and organizations that help people with disabilities own independent businesses.
  
• Works with agencies (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Small Business Administration, disability advocacy organizations, etc.) to identify resources in the evolution of a business idea.
• Provides participants with individual mentoring from the brainstorming phase to the execution of a business idea.