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Professor Joy Mullane Appointed Faculty Director of the Villanova University Graduate Tax Program

Prof. Mullane Named Grad Tax Director

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova University announced the appointment of Joy Mullane, Professor of Law, as Faculty Director of its Graduate Tax Program. Mullane has been a member of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law faculty since 2006. In her new role, Mullane will oversee the University’s nationally recognized graduate tax program, which is offered both on-campus and online.

“Joy is a recognized and respected leader and scholar at the Law School, and in the field of taxation,” said Mark C. Alexander, The Arthur J. Kania Dean, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. “I am so pleased to have Joy at the helm of our program. She is on the cutting edge of the ever-changing field of taxation, and I know she will continue to innovate and grow the program as the industry evolves, as well as in response to the needs of our students.”

Mullane has been instrumental in the growth of the Graduate Tax Program, a cross-disciplinary program for lawyers, accountants and business professionals that is developed and managed by the Law School in conjunction with the Villanova School of Business.

Most notably, Mullane has helped to create and implement an innovative model for teaching. The model includes a flipped classroom, regular assessments, and real-time feedback that affords students a more active learning environment and encourages greater student engagement. For her contribution, she was recognized, along with Professor Les Book, with Villanova Law’s Diane E. Ambler ’78 Faculty Curricular Innovation Award. The Award honors faculty members who have distinguished themselves through their innovation in creating pedagogical and curricular changes with a positive impact on the Law School.

"I am honored to become the Faculty Director of the Villanova Graduate Tax Program,” said Professor Mullane. “This innovative program is renowned for its exceptional interdisciplinary faculty, unparalleled commitment to academic excellence, and rigorous development of practical skills.  I look forward to working with faculty, students, staff, alumni, and employers as we continue to propel the Graduate Tax Program forward.”

Prior to joining Villanova, Mullane was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Florida, teaching corporate taxation and federal tax. She has published and presented extensively on the taxation of executive compensation.

Mullane earned a bachelor’s degree in history, a JD with honors, and an LLM in Taxation, all from the University of Florida. She clerked for the Honorable Susan H. Black of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Mullane worked as a corporate finance associate with Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP in Atlanta, and as an associate specializing in employee benefits and financial products tax at Davis & Harman in Washington, D.C.

About the Villanova University Graduate Tax Program: The Villanova University Graduate Tax Program melds real-world education with professional responsibility in tax practice. Developed by Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law (CWSL) in conjunction with the Villanova School of Business, the rigorous curriculum of the Masters of Law (LLM) and Master of Tax (MT) programs examine taxation from multiple perspectives, allowing students to explore how the law and accounting affect the field’s ever-changing landscape. Courses examine the full spectrum of taxation practice, including federal, state and international taxation; individual and corporate income tax; taxation of trusts and estates; employee benefits; and federal transfer taxes and tax procedure.

About Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law: Founded in 1953, the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law provides broad-based legal education that is grounded in academic rigor, practical hands-on training and a foundation in business that prepares graduates for diverse and rewarding legal careers. The Law School, which is accredited by the American Bar Association, offers six in-house clinics and more than 150 externship opportunities that immerse students in the real-world application of their legal skills. Villanova is home to Centers of Excellence—the Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy; the David F. and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo Center for Ethics, Integrity and Compliance, the John F. Scarpa Center for Law and Entrepreneurship; and the Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law—which provide students the opportunity to pursue innovative, interdisciplinary legal fields through study, practical experience and mentorship.

The Villanova School of Business (VSB) undergraduate program is ranked #1 in the nation by Bloomberg Businessweek and its online graduate business programs are ranked #2, and its online MBA program is ranked #13 by U.S. News and World Report. VSB has been at the forefront of business education since it was founded in 1922. Serving over 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students, VSB is home to five Centers of Excellence – the Daniel M. DiLella Center for Real Estate, the Elenore and Robert F. Moran Sr. Center for Global Leadership, the Center for Business Analytics, the Center for Marketing & Consumer Insights and the Center for Church Management – with each designed to foster innovative, cross-disciplinary research and applied opportunities for students. VSB is known for academic rigor; creativity and innovation; hands-on and service learning opportunities; a firm grounding in ethics; and an applied education that prepares students to become outstanding leaders and global citizens within the ever-changing, complex, and fast-paced world of business. For more, visit business.villanova.edu

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation’s top universities, Villanova supports its students’ intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.