FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Alexis Coulter, PhD Joins CPS to further her passion for teaching and learning

Alexis Coulter, PhD joined Villanova's College of Professional Studies as Assistant Professor of the Practice in the Fall semester of 2023. She brings a wide array of experience, in both higher education and the non-profit sector, with particular expertise in organizational development and behavior. 

Coulter's higher education journey began with her bachelor's degree in Speech Communication at Montclair State University,  continued with a master's degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management at Rutgers University-Newark, and was capped off with her PhD in Organizational Development and Change at Cabrini University. 

Throughout her time as a learner, she has worked in the nonprofit sector and as an educator. She gained valuable real world experience working with AmeriCorps, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Scholastic, Inc, and also served as an adjunct faculty member at Montclair State University and Rowan University.  

Coulter now joins CPS, citing a shared value system between herself and the University. 

"Villanova matches my core values of servant service, servant leadership, kindness, being true to others and really being your authentic self," she said.

She sees her work with CPS as an opportunity to continue to grow as an educator and a mentor. 

"I want to continue to grow. I want to take this opportunity to develop myself as a full time faculty member in regards to research, advising, program development, and helping with curriculum development in any capacity that I can," she stated. "I'm ready to use my skill sets and apply them, but most of all, I want to connect with our students to see how I can help them connect the dots. I think we all have superpowers and I think that's mine."

Coulter sees an opportunity to connect with the student population in CPS, having herself been a first-generation college student and knowing firsthand the value a collegiate education experience can bring to an entire family. 

"It's really important. It gets me emotional just thinking about it because I am the first in my family to go through undergrad, and master's and a PhD," she said. "I had the support (from family), cheering me on, but not all the resources. My family didn't really know what the (academic) world looked like. So I had to really lean in on the faculty in my program, my fellow cohort members, and other students in the program to really help guide me."

Coulter sees herself a mentor for those going through a similar pathway. 

“I support the students because I know what I bring to the table,” she said. “I've had great mentors and I truly think it takes a village to raise an individual professionally and personally.”

Away from the classroom, Coulter sees her time as a full time faculty member as a chance to expand her research into business practices and team dynamics. 

"I'm excited to dive into more organizational development practices, as well as the concept of use of self and humble leadership."