ABOUT VISIBLE
Since being established in 2018, VISIBLE has developed unique and impactful training and engagement opportunities for senior campus leaders, department leadership and faculty to advance intersectional gender equality in STEM fields.
At Villanova, leadership for equity and inclusion is integral to the University’s Augustinian mission and strategic plan.
VISIBLE seeks to illuminate the responsibility of academic leaders to create a welcoming and equitable community, in service of Villanova’s mission and core values – Veritas, Unitas, Caritas.
VISIBLE aims to empower academic leaders by:
- Exploring possible process and policy change
- Providing professional development and support
- Fostering related research
VISIBLE takes an interest in all aspects of equity among faculty across all Colleges and disciplines at Villanova.
In 2018, Villanova University was awarded a $3 Million National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Grant to fund a project that will encourage and support the advancement of women in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. The goal of ADVANCE at the National Science Foundation is to increase the representation of women in STEM careers at all levels, thereby contributing to the development of a more diverse STEM workforce.
The Villanova ADVANCE grant established VISIBLE—the Villanova Initiative to Support Inclusiveness and Build Leaders. Housed in the Office of the Provost, VISIBLE partners with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women's Leadership to form a cohesive team to advance intersectional gender equity.
Villanova is an institution in transition, as evidenced by the University’s elevation by the Carnegie Foundation to a Doctoral Research Institution in 2016, the implementation of a new ten-year Strategic Plan in 2020, and changes in leadership at both the University and college level. The arrival of COVID-19 in 2020 brought additional change for all institutions of higher education, including differential impacts of the pandemic on scholars, an economic downturn and calls for addressing racial inequities in society.
In a landscape of shifting University identity and expectations, faculty members experience additional pressures. Research shows that in institutions undergoing change, women and members of other minoritized groups are more vulnerable to these shifting—and often unspoken—expectations.
As Villanova continues to evolve, it is imperative that our institutional transition occurs in such a way that all faculty participate in and benefit from the changes. This project will help the University to transform by both studying and managing these shifts in faculty culture and expectations.
The VISIBLE team will plan and execute a series of initiatives to support the desired outcomes of the project. These initiatives are grouped into three spheres of action that will combine to build a community in which faculty are effectively hired, supported and advanced at Villanova.
Change Management
Prepare mid-level campus leaders to navigate a changing faculty culture and expectations, particularly as they impact equity and inclusion.
Hiring, Promotion and Assessment
Provide resources and expertise to improve intersectional equity and inclusion in the policies and procedures that impact hiring and advancement of faculty at Villanova.
Improving the Culture for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Advocate for policy and process changes to foster a climate at Villanova grounded in intersectional gender equity and inclusion. Execute a unique research project that studies the effects of different training techniques on the management of stress and reduction of unconscious bias during institutional transformation.
While the NSF ADVANCE grant focuses on improving Villanova’s recruitment and advancement of women faculty in STEM disciplines, the VISIBLE office aims to leverage its programs to impact all disciplines and minoritized groups across the institution.
Focusing on both research and programming, the VISIBLE team will undertake a critical review of Villanova’s recruiting, hiring and promotion practices in the context of its evolving status as a national research university. To support this work, the VISIBLE team will develop unique and impactful leadership training and engagement opportunities for senior campus leaders, department leadership, and faculty. The stated goals of Villanova's ADVANCE grant are as follows:
- Use the principles of organizational change management theory to prepare Villanova's leadership to manage the transition in institutional identity in an inclusive and equitable manner.
- Employ workshops on individual change management theory to assist faculty members as they navigate a shifting landscape of expectations.
- Implement interventions aimed at removing barriers to the success of women on the faculty in STEM departments, in the realms of hiring, assessment, and promotion, as well as in the broader University climate for diversity.
- Execute a unique research project that parallels the change management focus and studies the effects of different training techniques on the management of stress and reduction of unconscious bias during institutional transformation.
- Develop a model for other institutions undergoing major change.
Achievement of these five goals is anticipated to have a positive impact on:
- the scholarly productivity of the women on the faculty of STEM departments;
- the rate at which existing women on the faculty of STEM departments are promoted to Full Professor;
- the rate at which Villanova hires women, particularly minoritized women, in the STEM fields; and
- the diversity in key leadership roles.
Meet the VISIBLE Team
The Villanova ADVANCE office is known as the VISIBLE program—Villanova Initiative to Support Inclusiveness and Build Leaders. Part of the Office of the Provost, this office partners with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women's Leadership to form a cohesive team to advance intersectional gender equity.
Amanda Grannas, PhD, Principal Investigator
Vice Provost for Research
Chief Research Officer
Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Grannas is an active researcher in the field of environmental chemistry. An internationally-renowned expert in snow chemistry, she has led field research at several different sites in the Arctic, aimed at better understanding surface-atmosphere connections and links to climate change. Dr. Grannas held overall administrative and reporting responsibility for VISIBLE and supervised the Project Director.
Narda Quigley, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator
Mahoney Family Endowed Professorship in Business
Professor of Management
Villanova School of Business
Dr. Quigley is an expert in team dynamics, diversity, organizational culture, leadership and workplace discrimination whose research has been published by leading journals. Dr. Quigley led the research activities associated with VISIBLE, including a social science research project which investigated whether specific training approaches can lessen a leader’s subconscious biases.
Noelle Comolli, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
College of Engineering
Dr. Comolli directs the Biomaterials and Drug Delivery Laboratory, housed within the College of Engineering, where she researches the development of nanoparticles for drug delivery. Dr. Comolli was the College of Engineering representative on the VISIBLE team. Her work focused on driving forward the Change Management and Hiring, Assessment and Promotion initiatives.
Terry Nance, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Chief Diversity Officer
Professor of Communication
Dr. Nance is a national leader in interpersonal communication and multicultural affairs in higher education. Her research has investigated the perceptions and stages of interracial relationship development, diversity and inclusion, and intergroup dialogue. As part of VISIBLE, Dr. Nance oversaw diversity and inclusion training for all faculty and administrators, as well as the expansion of the Intergroup Relations program.
Seth Matthew Fishman, PhD, Internal Evaluator
Assistant Dean of Curriculum and Assessment, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Associate Teaching Professor of Education and Counseling
Dr. Fishman teaches graduate social science courses in Counseling Research and Evaluation, and Educational Research Methods. He directs the assessment outcomes process for more than 20 academic departments and assists with their program evaluation and accreditation reviews. In his role as Internal Evaluator, Dr. Fishman collected data and advised the leadership team on how to support the ongoing goals of the initiative.
Teresa Boyer, EdD, Program Partner
Assistant Vice Provost of Centers and Institutes
Director, Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women's Leadership
Associate Professor of Education & Counseling
Dr. Boyer is an innovative leader in economic and social equity for women who has published widely on educational and workforce equity, institutional reform for equity, women’s education and leadership, the effectiveness of equity programs and assessment and teacher training. A skilled researcher, Dr. Boyer’s work focused on the issues of the advancement of women and gender equity.
Elizabeth Svenson, MS
Program Director, Emeritus
NSF ADVANCE Liaison
Ms. Svenson was the inaugural Program Director for the VISIBLE program. She led the program until the completion of the five-year grant period in 2023. During her time with VISIBLE, she helped the leadership team respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 racial reckoning, and shifting University and grant priorities. Her leadership helped the VISIBLE program be made a permanent office at Villanova and established three full-time staff roles to support the ongoing mission.
Adam Smith, MA | Director
(610) 519-5729
Adam joined the VISIBLE team in June 2020 as the Associate Director amid the global COVID-19 pandemic and summer 2020 racial reckoning. During his time as Associate Director, he primarily supported the Change Management initiative and helped establish what is now known as the Academic Leaders Peer Network, the Equitable Hiring Practicum, and a re-imagined Campus Leaders Workshop. Adam was named Director of the permanent VISIBLE office in June 2023. In this role, Adam oversees all VISIBLE staff and Advisory Committee members and has primary oversight of the Campus Leaders Workshop and Leadership and Equity to Advance all Faculty (LEAF) Symposium. Adam is also available for one-on-one or departmental coaching and consultation.
Lauren McConatha, MA | Assistant Director
(610) 519-5721
Lauren joined the VISIBLE team in February 2024. As the Assistant Director, she has primary oversight of the Academic Leaders Peer Network and the Equitable Hiring Practicum and provides one-on-one support and opportunities for learning and engagement to Department Chairs and those in equivalent roles.
Amanda Rizzo | Program Coordinator
(610) 519-4011
Amanda joined the VISIBLE team in September 2023. As the Program Coordinator, Amanda provides logistical support to all aspects of VISIBLE's programming and is an important liaison between VISIBLE and our campus partners, providing important thought partnership and creative project management support.
Oliviah Rachael | VISIBLE Graduate Assistant
Oliviah joined the VISIBLE team in 2022 as a member of the internal evaluation team. She provides direct support to the Assistant Director and uses her interests in career counseling to engage with the Equitable Hiring Practicum team.
Lauren Miltenberger, PhD | VISIBLE Faculty Fellow
Assistant Teaching Professor of Public Administration
Nonprofit Coordinator
Dr. Miltenberger joined the VISIBLE program as a Faculty Fellow in 2020. Since her appointment to that role, she has been instrumental in the creation and facilitation of the Equitable Hiring Practicum, the Campus Leaders Workshop, and the Academic Leaders Peer Network.
Jennifer Altamuro, PhD
Associate Professor, Accounting & Information Systems
Aronté Bennett, PhD
Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Villanova School of Business
Associate Professor, Marketing & Business Law
Terri Boyer, EdD
Assistant Vice Provost of Centers & Institutes
Director, Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women's Leadership
Associate Professor of Education & Counseling
Noelle Comolli, PhD
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, College of Engineering
Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering
Alice Dailey, PhD
Director of Faculty Affairs, Office of the Provost
Professor, English
Amanda Grannas, PhD
Vice Provost, Research
Chief Research Officer
Professor, Chemistry
Janette Herbers, PhD
Associate Professor, Psychological & Brain Sciences
David Jamison, IV, PhD
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, College of Engineering
Teaching Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Bette Mariani, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN
Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
Professor, Nursing
Therese Narzikul, EdD, MBA, MSN, CRNP
Professor of the Practice, College of Professional Studies
Narda Quigley, PhD
Mahoney Family Endowed Professorship in Business
Professor, Management
Teressa Ravenell, JD
Associate Dean for Faculty Research & Development, Charles Widger School of Law
Professor, Law
Ariella Robbins, MS
Interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Brigitte Strother, MS, SHRM-CP
Associate Director of Employee Relations, Villanova Human Resources
Deanna Zubris, PhD
Director, Chemistry Graduate Program
Professor, Chemistry
Kristin Broussard, PhD
ADVANCE Postdoctoral Scholar
Adjunct Faculty Member, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Noah Lanouette
VISIBLE Undergraduate Research Assistant
Adriana Reilly
VISIBLE Undergraduate Research Assistant
Alanna Smith
VISIBLE Undergraduate Research Assistant
Kamil Vickers
VISIBLE Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Father John Abubakar, Department of Theology & Religious Studies (2022-2023)
- Chara Armon, Augustine & Culture Seminar Program (2022-2023)
John Armstead, Department of Geography & the Environment (2021-2023) - Farshid Baghai, Department of Philosophy (2022-2023)
- Aronte Bennett, Department of Marketing & Business Law (2022-2023)
- Father Allan Fitzgerald, Department of Theology & Religious Studies (2022-2023)
- Kelly Good, Civil & Environmental Engineering (2022-2023)
- Anuja Gupta, Department of Management & Operations (2022-2023)
- Tresa Kaur, Department of Nursing (2022-2023)
- Janine Dunlap Kiah, Office of Career Strategy & Advancement (2022-2023)
- Sue Metzger, Department of Computing Sciences (2021-2023)
- Seri Park, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (2021-2022)
- Corinne Post, Department of Management & Operations (2022-2023)
- Megan Povelones, Department of Biology (2022-2023)
- Manuela Priesemuth, Department of Management & Operations (2022-2023)
- Lisa Rodrigues, Department of Geography and the Environment (2021-2023)
- Kabindra Shakya, Department of Biology & Geography & Environment (2022-2023)
- Steve Sheridan, Office of Strategic Planning and Effectiveness (2022-2023)
- Virginia Smith, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (2021-2023)
- Naomi Washington-Leaphart, Department of Theology & Religious Studies (2022-2023)
- Caitlyn Yantis, Department of Psychological & Brain Studies (2022-2023)
- Deanna Zubris, Department of Chemistry (2021-2023)
Villanova Administrators and Faculty
- David Anderson, Assistant Professor, Management and Operations (2018-2023)
- Lillian "Boots" Cassel, Professor, Computing Sciences (2018-2022)
- Vikram Iyengar, Professor and Assistant Chair, Biology (2018-2023)
- Adele Lindenmeyr, William and Julia Moulden Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (2018-2023)
- Wen Mao, The Helen and William O'Toole Dean, Villanova School of Business and Associate Professor of Economics (2018-2023)
- Michele Marcolongo, Drosdick Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering (2022-2023)
- Jill McCorkel, Professor of Sociology and Criminology and Program Faculty, Africana Studies Program and Center for Irish Studies (2018-2023)
- Alfonso Ortega, Professor of Energy Technology, Mechanical Engineering (2018-2023)
- Joyce Russell, Dean Emeritus, Villanova School of Business and Professor of Management (2018-2023)
- Flannery Stevens, Assistant Professor, Management and Operations (2018-2023)
- James Trainer, Associate Vice President and Executive Director, Office of Strategic Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (2018-2023)
- Andrea Welker, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering (2018-2022)
- Craig Wheeland, Senior Vice Provost for Academics and Professor of Public Administration (2018-2023)
- Rosalind Wynne, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Director, Laboratory for Lightwave Devices (2018-2023)
Peers from Regional and National Organizations and Institutions
- Margaret Bailey, Senior Faculty Associate to the Provost for ADVANCE, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology
- Koren Bedeau, Senior Associate Provost for Special Projects, George Washington University
- Nance Dicciani, Founder, RTM Vital Signs, LLC. and past Member of the Board of Trustees, Villanova University
- Holly Slay Ferraro, Associate Professor of Management and Program Director, Professional MBA Program, Seattle University
- Amy Fleischer, Dean, College of Engineering, California Polytechnic State University
- Jose Fuentes, Professor of Meteorology, Penn State College of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
- Candace Robertson-James, Assistant Professor and Director, Master of Public Health Program, LaSalle University
- Patricia Roos, Professor of Sociology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey