SARC Team

Stacy Andes

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Health Services Building, First Floor
stacy.andes@villanova.edu

Stacy is the Director of Health Promotion at Villanova University, and she currently heads up the SARC team at Villanova. As a back-up team member and SARC team trainer, Stacy believes that the team approach to providing support to students who have experienced sexual violence is a direct expression of Villanova’s commitment to caritas. She believes that all students should be treated with dignity, respect and compassion and hopes that the SARC team approach will let students know that we believe preventing and responding to sexual violence is a community responsibility, one that transcends our formal positions, roles and responsibilities at the University. As a military brat, Stacy grew up traveling and living in the United States and Germany and attributes much of her personal and professional success today to her experiences as a child in a career military family. Stacy is a passionate New England sports fan, a self-proclaimed foodie and is an avid reader and traveler.
      

Kathy Byrnes

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Dougherty Hall Room 202
kathleen.byrnes@villanova.edu

Kathy is the Associate Vice President for Student Life, a Title IX Deputy, and the sexual harassment complaint officer for the University. Kathy has been at Villanova for many years in a variety of roles.  Kathy attended Villanova herself as an undergrad and remembers her college years as a time that shaped her spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually.  Now, Kathy works closely with the first-year learning communities and with the Gay-Straight Coalition, among other things. She also helps administer the Safe Zone program, creating safe spaces and a message of welcoming throughout campus. Kathy is honored to be part of the SARC team, to serve as a resource for students and to help educate the Villanova community about sexual violence.  Her office is in 202 Dougherty.  When not at Villanova, Kathy enjoys taking long walks with her husband and little white dog. She also sees many plays, loves to read, and spends time with family and friends. 
     

Sarah Hernandez

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Dougherty Hall, Suite 108

Sarah.a.Hernandez@villanova.edu

Sarah serves as an Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life within the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. She graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelors in Interior Design and went on to receive her Masters of Education from Kutztown University in Higher Education, Administration. Sarah is passionate about her work with young women at Villanova and loves that her job entails support, development, compassion, advising and helping women grow into a better version of themselves during their time at Villanova.  In her free time, Sarah loves to cook, read, travel, visit friends, and spend time with her husband and little girl.

Kim Hidore

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Garey Hall 105, Villanova Honors Program
kimberly.hidore@villanova.edu

Kim has transitioned into the role of the Assistant Director of the Villanova Honors Program, and she was previously an Academic Advisor in the Villanova School of Business for over two years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Texas A&M University (whoop!) and her master’s degree in Counseling from Villanova University. Originally from Texas, Kim moved to the Philadelphia area five years ago and moved from teaching high school English to higher education. Kim is still passionate about teaching, and she is currently a VSB 2000 instructor. She enjoys traveling, reading, the beach, and yoga in her free time. Kim’s goal is encourage students in their academic, professional, and personal development, and to help them define and find success. 

Brooke Hunter

Pronouns: she/her/hers
SAC Rm 480, English
brooke.hunter@villanova.edu

Brooke Hunter has been an Assistant Professor in the English department at Villanova for three years and is passionate about her research specialty, medieval literature. In addition to teaching courses on medieval romances, Chaucer, and Dante, she is also writing a book about medieval forgery and the philosopher Boethius. As a teacher Brooke is committed to providing students with rigorous learning experiences and a chance to talk through difficult topics in a warm and open classroom setting. Although she is originally from Seattle, WA, Brooke has also lived in Austin, TX, Baltimore, MD, and is now happily settled in West Philadelphia with her polydactyl cat Twinkles and the occasional feline rescue foster. Brooke is excited to serve the Villanova community as a SARC team member.   
      

Jhaakira Jacobs

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Garey Hall, Career Center
jhaakira.jacobs@villanova.edu

Jhaakira is the Assistant Director of Career Development for Villanova University’s Career Center and has been working in career services for the past 6 years. From time to time you can also find her in CASA as a liaison to their office in Falvey 211. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Health Promotion and Education from Kent State University and her master’s degree in Student Affairs from Old Dominion University. Jhaakira is originally from Ohio and enjoys going home to the Midwest, traveling, SoulCycle, and spending time with her nieces. Jhaakira is passionate about student professional development and loves hearing student’s stories about where they are and where they want to go!

Danielle Gadson

Pronouns: she/her/hers
SAC Rm 472, Public Administration
danielle.gadson@villanova.edu

Danielle is an Assistant Professor in Villanova’s Public Administration department. She holds a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, a Masters of Public Administration from Villanova University, and a M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from Temple University. Through her research as a medical sociologist and public administrator, she explores how social factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and neighborhood characteristics influence the efficacy of public policy initiatives. As a professor and active member of the Intergroup Dialogue and Diversity Awareness communities at Villanova, Danielle is excited to additionally serve the University as a member of the SARC team.

Brian McCabe

Pronouns: he/him/his
St. Ritas's Hall, Campus Ministry
brian.mccabe@villanova.edu

Brian has served as the Campus Minister for Outreach and Student Formation since the summer of 2013.  This role has allowed him the opportunity to collaborate with students, faculty, and staff in exploring questions of meaning and belief.  Beyond Villanova his work accompanying people has included supporting and mentoring of Alaskan teens and young adults, street outreach throughout Philadelphia, and mental health and housing case management to folks experiencing chronic homelessness.  Brian has witnessed the deep wisdom of each person to realize their own goals and seek physical, spiritual, and mental wholeness, but also believes we have a responsibility to support one another to that end.  Brian lives with his wife, daughter, and dog who make him laugh and teach him something new each day.

Kristy McCarthy

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Health Services Building, First Floor
kristy.sillay@villanova.edu

Kristy is the Assistant Director of Health Promotion at Villanova University. She oversees the office’s campus-wide programming initiatives and serves as the trained tobacco cessation and BASICS specialist in the office. Originally from the south, Kristy graduated from the University of Alabama with a master’s degree in Health Science. She enjoys southern food, traveling, college football (ROLL TIDE!) and spending quality time with her partner and new puppy, Miller. Kristy is passionate about working closely with students to help them thrive. For the past five years, she has served as a member of the SARC team. Kristy considers it an honor to be able to support and empower those who have been impacted by sexual violence.

Kate Szumanski

Pronouns: she/her/hers
SAC 107
kathryn.szumanski@villanova.edu

Kate Szumanski, '95, '97, serves as the Director of Internships and Professional Development in the Office for Undergraduate Students (OUS) in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova University. She supports the BRIDGE Society, a professional networking and mentoring student organization that helps to connect Villanova students to alumni and other professionals who work in a variety of industries. Kate teaches Arts and Sciences Professional Development (ASPD) courses and thoroughly enjoys partnering with students to help them achieve their life and career goals. Creating a fulfilling life by pursuing and engaging in meaningful work fills her with great happiness and pride. Kate is honored to serve as a member of the SARC Team. When not in the classroom or meeting with students in her office, you'll find Kate teaching Spinning classes and spending time with her husband, three children, and three-year-old Aussiedoodle, Crystal.  

Lauren Ward

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Falvey Hall, Room 211, Center for Access, Success and Achievement (CASA)
lauren.ward@villanova.edu
Lauren is the Academic Advancement Program (AAP) Counselor at the Center for Access, Success and Achievement.  She has been at Villanova University since February 2016 and provides support to students to help them meet their academic, personal and professional goals.  Lauren earned her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College as well as a Masters of Arts in French Studies from NYU and a Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology from Temple University. She has served as a volunteer crisis counselor with Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR), Philadelphia’s rape crisis center since 2009.  She is happy to be a part of the SARC Team and is honored to help and empower survivors of sexual violence. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband Jim, their dog Lucy and her family and friends.   

Ryan Wilkerson

Pronouns: he/him/his
Health Services Building, First Floor
ryan.wilkerson@villanova.edu

Ryan is the Coordinator of Peer Education Programs & Community Standards. Ryan received his bachelors in psychology & human services from Clayton State University and his master’s in public health from Georgia State University. Ryan is an Atlanta native, enjoys wings and southern home cooking, traveling, music, and dance. Ryan worked in LGBTQ health for 2 years focusing on HIV, intimate partner violence, and mental health. Being part of the SARC team allows him to be very supportive of students who are faced with challenges that they may not know where to go. As a student himself, he felt as though this was a very important resource to have as a college student. Ryan is passionate about overall health and well-being and truly understanding self-worth.