Women’s History Month reminds us of the many women whose contributions throughout the College’s 100-year history have significantly shaped its mission and strategic vision. Last week, I wrote about our efforts to advance gender diversity among our faculty. This week, I want to emphasize and acknowledge the many women in academic leadership positions, including department chair, academic program and department director, associate dean and other administrative positions.

As with our faculty, the number of women filling these important roles has increased during the past decade. Current faculty directors include: Wendy Angst, assistant Management & Organization department chair; Viva Bartkus, faculty director of the Meyer Business on the Frontlines Program; Gianna Bern, academic director of the Master of Science in Finance-Chicago; Kristen Collett-Schmitt, associate dean of Specialized Masters Programs; Jennifer Cronin, director of Undergraduate Studies for M&O; Angela Logan, St. Andre Bessette Academic Director of Master of Nonprofit Administration; Amanda McKendree, Arthur F. and Mary J. O'Neil Director of the Fanning Center for Business Communication; Katherine Spiess, academic director of the (forthcoming) Master of Science in Finance-Residential; Sandra Vera-Muñoz, Deloitte Foundation Department Chair of Accountancy; and Jennifer Waddell, assistant ITAO department chair and director of Undergraduate Studies for ITAO.

We also have several women in department and functional director roles. Current directors include: Erin Bellissimo, managing director of the Notre Dame Institute for Global Investing; Carol Elliott, director of Communications; Tracy Freymuth, director of Student Services for Residential Graduate Programs; Christine Gramhofer, director of Executive Graduate Programs; Kelli Kilpatrick, MBA program director; Morgan McCoy, director of operations for Mendoza Graduate Programs; Letecia McKinney, Behavioral Research Program director; Alice Obermiller, director of Experiential Learning and Leadership Development; Kara Palmer, director of Administration; and María Stutsman y Márquez, director of Graduate Recruiting and Admissions.

An additional group of faculty members that we would like to recognize for their leadership is our full teaching professors: Wendy Angst, M&O teaching professor; Gianna Bern, finance teaching professor; Margaret Forster; finance teaching professor; Laura Hollis, accountancy teaching professor; and Tonia Murphy, accountancy teaching professor.

To continue to advance gender inclusion and equity in the College’s administration, we recently established two efforts focused on undertaken several targeted efforts:

• The Mendoza Staff Diversity Coordinator, whose responsibility is to better focus and advance the College’s DE&I efforts and initiatives, and promote a culture of respect for diversity at Mendoza. Kara Palmer is serving in this important role, with a focus on recruiting and hiring; engagement and education; talent identification and development; and promotion of diversity, equity and inclusivity as part of the culture of Mendoza.
• The Mendoza Staff Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, which is overseen by Kara and comprised of staff members from across the College. The Council’s purpose is to create and sustain an inclusive culture for all Mendoza staff by fostering an environment of dignity, respect and fairness that is grounded in our Catholic mission. These efforts will be facilitated through the College’s ongoing and continuing efforts to attract, retain and promote staff from all backgrounds, perspectives and abilities.

These are just two examples of the many efforts at Mendoza to advance gender diversity, equity and inclusion. I’m thankful to all those at the College who contribute to a respectful, equitable work and social environment.

In Notre Dame,

Martijn