Presentations & Speakers:
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Love without Distinction:
A monologue based on the life of Mother St. John Fontbonne. Love Without Distinction offered a dynamic and interactive way to experience the life of Mother St. John Fontbonne, who re-founded the Sisters of St. Joseph after the French Revolution. Written and performed by Tiffany Hoover, this piece offered students of all ages a theatrical and thoughtful way of learning about the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph, as well as the story of this courageous visionary. 
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Tiffany Hoover
Tiffany Hoover has been acting in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 25 years. She holds two degrees in theatre, a BA from UC Santa Barbara and a Masters from UC Davis. In addition, Tiffany completed a Masters of Theological Studies from the Graduate Theological Union’s Franciscan School. Tiffany has been serving the Catholic Church in many forms, most notably as a lector and preacher. She has also enjoyed serving as an officiant for weddings and memorial services. In addition to her acting career, she also works as a fitness professional. Tiffany’s experiences and education have fueled her desire to marry her passions for theatre and theology by writing and performing biographical monologues for strong women of faith.
Tiffany Hoover has been acting in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 25 years. She holds two degrees in theatre, a BA from UC Santa Barbara and a Masters from UC Davis. In addition, Tiffany completed a Masters of Theological Studies from the Graduate Theological Union’s Franciscan School. Tiffany has been serving the Catholic Church in many forms, most notably as a lector and preacher. She has also enjoyed serving as an officiant for weddings and memorial services. In addition to her acting career, she also works as a fitness professional. Tiffany’s experiences and education have fueled her desire to marry her passions for theatre and theology by writing and performing biographical monologues for strong women of faith.
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Human Beings in the Community of Creation:
“The wild animals of the forest are mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” (Psalm 50:10) At a time of ecological crises, this lecture mounts an urgent case for taking seriously the belief, dear to monotheistic religions, that the one living God is the Creator of the whole world and enfolds all living beings with affection. Awakening to this truth leads us to dismantle the hierarchy of being that has privileged human beings over others instead of seeing all creatures as our kin. Drawing from Laudato Si’, the conclusion lays out ways that hearing the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor will flow from this conversion, with practical and critical effects. |
Sister Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ
Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ is Distinguished Professor of Theology Emerita at Fordham University, and a former board member of St. Joseph’s University, New York. For over forty years as a university professor her activities included teaching, mentoring, research & writing, editing, and public lecturing in theology at home and abroad. A former president of the Catholic Theological Society of America, and also of the American Theological Society, an ecumenical association, she has received fifteen honorary doctorates and numerous other accolades, but is most fond of Fordham’s Professor of the Year Award. Her most recent book is Creation and the Cross: The Mercy of God for a Planet in Peril (2018), from which this presentation will be drawn.
Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ is Distinguished Professor of Theology Emerita at Fordham University, and a former board member of St. Joseph’s University, New York. For over forty years as a university professor her activities included teaching, mentoring, research & writing, editing, and public lecturing in theology at home and abroad. A former president of the Catholic Theological Society of America, and also of the American Theological Society, an ecumenical association, she has received fifteen honorary doctorates and numerous other accolades, but is most fond of Fordham’s Professor of the Year Award. Her most recent book is Creation and the Cross: The Mercy of God for a Planet in Peril (2018), from which this presentation will be drawn.
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Institutional Sagas of the CSJ/SSJ Colleges and Universities
For the 2021 and 2022 calendar years, Fontbonne University received a NetVUE grant to re-examine its history, mission, and heritage, and then to identify how these things can re-enliven its campus, its employees, and students, and its educational programs. One part of this work is to understand its history in light of the histories of the other CSJ/SSJ colleges and schools founded also in the first half of the 20th century. Indeed, there was a cross-pollination of ideas among the CSJ/SSJ leaders planning and launching most of the institutions. In January 2022, a symposium was held with historians or archivists from all of the ACSSJ member campuses and addressed two questions:
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Moderator:
Dr. Brian Matz
Brian Matz, Ph.D., is the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Endowed Chair of Catholic Thought at Fontbonne University. His published research and scholarship are focused on the history of Christianity and the intellectual traditions that emerged among Christians during the patristic and medieval periods. In addition, he has many years of experience organizing public lectures, faculty scholarship presentations, discussions on Catholic intellectual traditions, and also faith formation programs at parishes.
Dr. Brian Matz
Brian Matz, Ph.D., is the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Endowed Chair of Catholic Thought at Fontbonne University. His published research and scholarship are focused on the history of Christianity and the intellectual traditions that emerged among Christians during the patristic and medieval periods. In addition, he has many years of experience organizing public lectures, faculty scholarship presentations, discussions on Catholic intellectual traditions, and also faith formation programs at parishes.
Panelists:
Dr. Jeffrey Marlett
Jeffrey Marlett, Ph.D. currently serves as the Associate Dean of Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences at Unity Environmental University in New Gloucester, Maine. From 1998 to 2022, he was Professor of Religious Studies at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. From 2017 to 2019 he also served as the interim Dean of Art and Humanities. Author of Saving the Heartland (2002), a study of Catholic responses to the Dust Bowl and other agricultural crises, he is currently completing a project on Leo Durocher, the baseball manager who coined the phrase “nice guys finish last.” He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Wabash College, a Master’s from Vanderbilt University, and his Ph.D. from Saint Louis University.
Jeffrey Marlett, Ph.D. currently serves as the Associate Dean of Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences at Unity Environmental University in New Gloucester, Maine. From 1998 to 2022, he was Professor of Religious Studies at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. From 2017 to 2019 he also served as the interim Dean of Art and Humanities. Author of Saving the Heartland (2002), a study of Catholic responses to the Dust Bowl and other agricultural crises, he is currently completing a project on Leo Durocher, the baseball manager who coined the phrase “nice guys finish last.” He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Wabash College, a Master’s from Vanderbilt University, and his Ph.D. from Saint Louis University.
Dr. Elizabeth Pollicino Murphy
Elizabeth Pollicino Murphy, Ed.D. is the Executive Director of Libraries at St. Joseph's University, New York. Having been appointed in 2012, she is responsible for the McEntegart Library in Brooklyn and the Callahan Library on Long Island. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Catholic Research Resources Alliance.
Elizabeth Pollicino Murphy, Ed.D. is the Executive Director of Libraries at St. Joseph's University, New York. Having been appointed in 2012, she is responsible for the McEntegart Library in Brooklyn and the Callahan Library on Long Island. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Catholic Research Resources Alliance.
Dr. Jane Lamm Carroll
Jane Lamm Carroll, Ph.D., is a Professor of History and Women’s Studies at St. Catherine University, where, from 2017-2020, she served as the Sister Mona Riley Endowed Chair in the Humanities. She received her BA in history from the College of St. Catherine in 1980 and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Minnesota in 1991. Her most recent book, Daybreak Woman: An Anglo-Dakota Life, published in 2020 by the Minnesota Historical Society Press, won the 2022 Leadership in History Award awarded by the American Association for State and Local History and was also a finalist for the 2021 Minnesota Book Awards. She was the lead historian for a variety of St. Catherine University’s Centennial History projects in 2004-2005 and is an author and co-editor of the book Liberating Sanctuary: 100 Years of Women’s Education at the College of St. Catherine (2011).
Jane Lamm Carroll, Ph.D., is a Professor of History and Women’s Studies at St. Catherine University, where, from 2017-2020, she served as the Sister Mona Riley Endowed Chair in the Humanities. She received her BA in history from the College of St. Catherine in 1980 and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Minnesota in 1991. Her most recent book, Daybreak Woman: An Anglo-Dakota Life, published in 2020 by the Minnesota Historical Society Press, won the 2022 Leadership in History Award awarded by the American Association for State and Local History and was also a finalist for the 2021 Minnesota Book Awards. She was the lead historian for a variety of St. Catherine University’s Centennial History projects in 2004-2005 and is an author and co-editor of the book Liberating Sanctuary: 100 Years of Women’s Education at the College of St. Catherine (2011).
Sister Mary Flick, CSJ
Mary Flick is a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and formation director for St. Joseph Educational Ministries, a public juridic person, whose mission is to ensure the Catholic identity and CSJ values at the six schools in Missouri and Indiana it currently sponsors. Mary has more than two decades of service in Catholic higher education, primarily as a mission integration director. She also has an extensive background in the communications field and in Ignatian spirituality.
Mary Flick is a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and formation director for St. Joseph Educational Ministries, a public juridic person, whose mission is to ensure the Catholic identity and CSJ values at the six schools in Missouri and Indiana it currently sponsors. Mary has more than two decades of service in Catholic higher education, primarily as a mission integration director. She also has an extensive background in the communications field and in Ignatian spirituality.
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Critical Conversations: Spotlighting DEI/B/SJ trends and best practices in times of great backlash.
Our nation and our ACSSJ universities have made real progress in recent years in terms of acknowledging injustice and directing financial, technological, and human capital toward creating more diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning environments. DEI professionals now have a heightened focus on the various strategies necessary to optimize DEI undertakings. While there have been many accomplishments in this pursuit, our approaches have been quite different in delivery, structure, and as well application. We fully understand and appreciate that there is no one way to achieve success and that achieving equity is not a one-and-done project. We appreciate that much can be learned from honest conversations with each other as we continue to bravely move Forward Together! |
Moderator:
Dr. Steven H. Kenney Jr.
Steven H. Kenney, Jr., EdD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the Senior Vice President for Human Resources, Equity, and Inclusion at St. Catherine University. Prior to joining St. Catherine University, Kenney served as the Area Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and Title IX Coordinator in Louisiana. He received a bachelor of science degree in human resources management from Auburn University Montgomery in Alabama, a Master of Business Administration degree in Management from the University of Alabama Huntsville, and a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Additionally, Kenney has studied in the international arena, having studied at the University of Ulsan in Ulsan, South Korea, and the Romanian-American University in Bucharest, Romania. His research focuses on the societal and institutional factors impacting African American males within higher education.
Dr. Steven H. Kenney Jr.
Steven H. Kenney, Jr., EdD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the Senior Vice President for Human Resources, Equity, and Inclusion at St. Catherine University. Prior to joining St. Catherine University, Kenney served as the Area Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and Title IX Coordinator in Louisiana. He received a bachelor of science degree in human resources management from Auburn University Montgomery in Alabama, a Master of Business Administration degree in Management from the University of Alabama Huntsville, and a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Additionally, Kenney has studied in the international arena, having studied at the University of Ulsan in Ulsan, South Korea, and the Romanian-American University in Bucharest, Romania. His research focuses on the societal and institutional factors impacting African American males within higher education.
Panelists:
Yolanda Caldwell
Yolanda Caldwell is an experienced strategist specializing in the empowerment of organizations and women to be intentional for impactful purposes. She is an entrepreneur, consultant, award winning facilitator, coach, and international speaker who specializes in creating and implementing customized solutions for organizational improvement, community development, and personal leadership development. Yolanda is the Chief Diversity Officer, inaugural Director of the Women’s Leadership Institute, and the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY and is the founder and owner of Titus Enterprises, LLC. She was recognized as the 2021 Leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by the Albany Business Review.
Yolanda Caldwell is an experienced strategist specializing in the empowerment of organizations and women to be intentional for impactful purposes. She is an entrepreneur, consultant, award winning facilitator, coach, and international speaker who specializes in creating and implementing customized solutions for organizational improvement, community development, and personal leadership development. Yolanda is the Chief Diversity Officer, inaugural Director of the Women’s Leadership Institute, and the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY and is the founder and owner of Titus Enterprises, LLC. She was recognized as the 2021 Leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by the Albany Business Review.
Dr. J. Anthony Snorgrass
After an extensive career in public service and in the advertising industry, Dr. Snorgrass is currently serving as Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. He is also a full Professor in the School of Visual and Communication Arts at Avila University. Through his many years in public, private, corporate, and not-for profit roles he understands and has been a vigilant supporter of DEI and social justice initiatives. “Dr.J.” as he preferred to be called, brings over 40 years of experience in leading strategies and solutions to promote diversity, equity and inclusion and organizational development.
After an extensive career in public service and in the advertising industry, Dr. Snorgrass is currently serving as Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. He is also a full Professor in the School of Visual and Communication Arts at Avila University. Through his many years in public, private, corporate, and not-for profit roles he understands and has been a vigilant supporter of DEI and social justice initiatives. “Dr.J.” as he preferred to be called, brings over 40 years of experience in leading strategies and solutions to promote diversity, equity and inclusion and organizational development.
Dr. Jennifer Shoaff
Jennifer Shoaff, Ph.D. is the Interim Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer; Director of Diversity & Inclusion at the College of Our Lady of the Elms. Dr. Jennifer Shoaff holds a doctorate degree in anthropology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Arts degree in Latin American Studies from San Diego State University. Prior to coming to Elms, Shoaff was an Assistant Professor in Gender and Race Studies at the University of Alabama where she taught transnational feminism, Afro-Latinx studies, Border Studies, and social justice movements to undergraduate and graduate students.
Jennifer Shoaff, Ph.D. is the Interim Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer; Director of Diversity & Inclusion at the College of Our Lady of the Elms. Dr. Jennifer Shoaff holds a doctorate degree in anthropology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Arts degree in Latin American Studies from San Diego State University. Prior to coming to Elms, Shoaff was an Assistant Professor in Gender and Race Studies at the University of Alabama where she taught transnational feminism, Afro-Latinx studies, Border Studies, and social justice movements to undergraduate and graduate students.
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The Future of Higher Education and How We Move Forward Together
There is no doubt that the higher education sector is currently under enormous pressure from a variety of sources. As a result, many higher education analysts predict that the field will experience a significant transformation in the coming years. This talk reviewed some of the historic elements that have shaped American higher education as well as the key factors that are contributing to current trends. It touched on the relevance of these factors for ACSSJ institutions and conclude with some suggestions for ways we can move forward together. |
Dr. Harry Dumay
Dr. Harry Dumay is President of the College of Our Lady of the Elms. Prior to joining Elms College, Dr. Dumay was Senior Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Saint Anselm College; Chief Financial Officer, Associate Dean for Finance and Information Technology at the Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University; and has also held leadership positions in finance and administration at Boston College and Boston University. Dr. Dumay received a BS degree magna cum laude in Mechanical Technology from Lincoln University, Missouri; a MA degree in Public Administration from Framingham State University; a MBA and graduate certificate in Corporate Finance from Boston University; and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Boston College.
Dr. Harry Dumay is President of the College of Our Lady of the Elms. Prior to joining Elms College, Dr. Dumay was Senior Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Saint Anselm College; Chief Financial Officer, Associate Dean for Finance and Information Technology at the Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University; and has also held leadership positions in finance and administration at Boston College and Boston University. Dr. Dumay received a BS degree magna cum laude in Mechanical Technology from Lincoln University, Missouri; a MA degree in Public Administration from Framingham State University; a MBA and graduate certificate in Corporate Finance from Boston University; and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Boston College.
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Conference Theme
The 2023 National Gathering theme was "Forward Together”. This theme allowed participants to reflect on our shared history as institutions founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph, to highlight current collaborative work across the nine-member campuses, and to be a call to action to move forward together united in the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph and our collaborative work. |
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Thank you to the following sponsors for their support of the National Gathering.
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