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Presentations & Speakers:
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The Gift of the Charism:
President Ann McElaney-Johnson explores the profound impact of the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph and how our shared charism has shaped each college or university’s mission. She reflects on how the charism guides and inspires our work, shaping how we engage with students, colleagues, and communities. The presentation also addresses the pressing question: How can higher education respond to the urgent needs of our time? Attendees left with a deeper understanding of how charism calls campuses to be transformative agents of change, hope, and service in an ever-evolving world. |
Ann McElaney-Johnson, Ph.D.
MOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY
Ann McElaney-Johnson is the twelfth president of Mount Saint Mary’s, the only women’s university in Los Angeles. She is recognized as a leader in bringing women’s issues to light, and a champion for innovative teaching and learning. As president, Ann leads with an inclusive, collaborative style. She has articulated a strategic vision for the University that will foster a culture of innovation for excellence to prepare students to be global leaders and pursue lives filled with purpose. Ann earned her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her master’s degree from Middlebury College, Vermont, and her B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, Massachusetts.
MOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY
Ann McElaney-Johnson is the twelfth president of Mount Saint Mary’s, the only women’s university in Los Angeles. She is recognized as a leader in bringing women’s issues to light, and a champion for innovative teaching and learning. As president, Ann leads with an inclusive, collaborative style. She has articulated a strategic vision for the University that will foster a culture of innovation for excellence to prepare students to be global leaders and pursue lives filled with purpose. Ann earned her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her master’s degree from Middlebury College, Vermont, and her B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, Massachusetts.
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Leading with Love:
This session explores why and how love can be an effective leadership strategy and how to apply that strategy in your daily life. Mary Dana Hinton extols that education and the liberal arts, in particular, demand love as a leadership strategy. She draws on her own life and recent book, “Leading from the Margins: College Leadership from Unexpected Places”. |
Mary Dana Hinton, Ph.D.
HOLLINS UNIVERSITY
Mary Dana Hinton, Ph.D. is the 13th president of Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, and President Emerita of the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota. An active and respected proponent of the liberal arts, her leadership reflects a deep and abiding commitment to educational equity and the education of women.
Hinton earned a Ph.D. in religion and religious education with high honors from Fordham University, a Master of Arts degree in clinical child psychology from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Williams College. She is the recipient of the Bicentennial Medal from Williams College and honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from Misericordia University, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Mount Saint Mary’s University. In 2021, Hinton was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, an organization established more than 240 years ago by the nation’s founders to honor exceptionally accomplished individuals and engage them in advancing the public good.
Hinton’s scholarship focuses on higher education leadership, strategic planning, and inclusion in higher education. Her new book, Leading from the Margins: College Leadership from Unexpected Places, was published by Johns Hopkins University Press in February 2024. Her next book, Where Love Leads, is forthcoming. She is also the author of The Commercial Church: Black Churches and the New Religious Marketplace in America and a frequent op-ed contributor across higher education publications.
Hinton is a member of the board of directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities where she serves as chair, Interfaith America, American Association of Colleges and Universities, The Teagle Foundation, and the board of trustees at Mount Saint Mary’s University Los Angeles.
HOLLINS UNIVERSITY
Mary Dana Hinton, Ph.D. is the 13th president of Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, and President Emerita of the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota. An active and respected proponent of the liberal arts, her leadership reflects a deep and abiding commitment to educational equity and the education of women.
Hinton earned a Ph.D. in religion and religious education with high honors from Fordham University, a Master of Arts degree in clinical child psychology from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Williams College. She is the recipient of the Bicentennial Medal from Williams College and honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from Misericordia University, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Mount Saint Mary’s University. In 2021, Hinton was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, an organization established more than 240 years ago by the nation’s founders to honor exceptionally accomplished individuals and engage them in advancing the public good.
Hinton’s scholarship focuses on higher education leadership, strategic planning, and inclusion in higher education. Her new book, Leading from the Margins: College Leadership from Unexpected Places, was published by Johns Hopkins University Press in February 2024. Her next book, Where Love Leads, is forthcoming. She is also the author of The Commercial Church: Black Churches and the New Religious Marketplace in America and a frequent op-ed contributor across higher education publications.
Hinton is a member of the board of directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities where she serves as chair, Interfaith America, American Association of Colleges and Universities, The Teagle Foundation, and the board of trustees at Mount Saint Mary’s University Los Angeles.
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Navigating the Hard Conversations:
Building Bridges Through Civil Discourse In an era of heightened polarization and complex societal challenges, fostering civil discourse is more critical than ever on college campuses. This session explores strategies for engaging students in constructive dialogue about challenging issues, emphasizing the importance of empathy, active listening, and mutual respect while also helping students understand that, factually and ethically, not all opinions are equally valid. Centering on our students' personal experiences and diverse identities, this presentation provides practical tools for interacting with students with the aim of creating inclusive and dignity-focused environments. We discuss the challenges students face in navigating difficult conversations—whether about race, identity, politics, or values—and how educators can guide them toward meaningful engagement that builds community rather than division. |
Leslie Dorrough Smith, Ph.D.
AVILA UNIVERSITY
Leslie Dorrough Smith, Ph.D., is the Dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Religious Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies at Avila University. She specializes in the study of American evangelicalism and gender, race, and politics. She publishes widely on a variety of topics. Her two latest books include Compromising Positions: Sex Scandals, Politics, and American Christianity (Oxford 2020), which examines the racial and gendered dynamics of American Christianity that influence the shape of the American political system. Her newest work (with Dr. Steven Ramey, University of Alabama) is Religions of the World: Questions, Challenges, and New Directions (Equinox 2024), which is a World Religions textbook that examines, among other things, the politics behind how we approach the world's religions.
AVILA UNIVERSITY
Leslie Dorrough Smith, Ph.D., is the Dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Religious Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies at Avila University. She specializes in the study of American evangelicalism and gender, race, and politics. She publishes widely on a variety of topics. Her two latest books include Compromising Positions: Sex Scandals, Politics, and American Christianity (Oxford 2020), which examines the racial and gendered dynamics of American Christianity that influence the shape of the American political system. Her newest work (with Dr. Steven Ramey, University of Alabama) is Religions of the World: Questions, Challenges, and New Directions (Equinox 2024), which is a World Religions textbook that examines, among other things, the politics behind how we approach the world's religions.
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How Did We Get Here? And Why?
A History of Sisters of St. Joseph and their work in higher education Join Sister Mary McGlone, CSJ, as she takes us on a journey through the inspiring history of the Sisters of St. Joseph and their transformative contributions to higher education in the United States. Drawing from her acclaimed books, Anything of Which a Woman is Capable and Called Forth By the Dear Neighbor, Sister Mary illuminates how these pioneering women of faith responded to the call to serve their communities with courage, creativity, and unwavering dedication. This presentation explores the foundational principles that guided the Sisters of St. Joseph in establishing educational institutions that continue to carry on the legacy and charism. Attendees will gain insights into the historical challenges and triumphs that shaped their legacy and learn how their mission remains relevant today. |
Sister Mary McGlone, CSJ
Mary M. McGlone is a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet and serves on the Congregational Leadership Team. She earned a doctorate in theology from St. Louis University and has written two books, Anything of Which a Woman is Capable and Called Forth By the Dear Neighbor, on the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the United States. Sister Mary writes a regular column for the National Catholic Reporter. As a Sister of St. Joseph for over 51 years, she has ministered across the United States and abroad. Her ministry includes serving in various faculty and staff roles at Avila University, Fontbonne University, and Mount Saint Mary's University, as well as a board member at Fontbonne University and St. Catherine University. Sister Mary is originally from Denver and enjoys playing the guitar.
Mary M. McGlone is a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet and serves on the Congregational Leadership Team. She earned a doctorate in theology from St. Louis University and has written two books, Anything of Which a Woman is Capable and Called Forth By the Dear Neighbor, on the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the United States. Sister Mary writes a regular column for the National Catholic Reporter. As a Sister of St. Joseph for over 51 years, she has ministered across the United States and abroad. Her ministry includes serving in various faculty and staff roles at Avila University, Fontbonne University, and Mount Saint Mary's University, as well as a board member at Fontbonne University and St. Catherine University. Sister Mary is originally from Denver and enjoys playing the guitar.
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Transactional VS. Transformation Education:
Realizing the Promise of a Mission-Driven Core Curriculum Suzanne del Gizzo discusses the challenges of crafting transformational core curricula in an increasingly transactional educational environment. She argues that we tend to focus mostly on WHAT we teach in core curricula, when really our focus should be on HOW we teach core courses. She believes a core curriculum animated by mission can connect students to their sense of purpose—and that sense of connection to a larger purpose can be a game changer for student engagement. |
Suzanne del Gizzo, Ph.D.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Suzanne del Gizzo was a Professor of English and Center Chair for Integrated Humanities at Chestnut Hill College for over 19 years. In February, she left to become the Dean of Liberal Studies at Montgomery County Community College. In her work at Chestnut Hill College, she co-chaired with Professor Jacki Reich CHC's core curriculum review from 2020-2022. She is excited to share some of her thoughts about the approach they took during the review, where they were charged with infusing CHC's mission into the core curriculum while increasing student engagement and retention.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Suzanne del Gizzo was a Professor of English and Center Chair for Integrated Humanities at Chestnut Hill College for over 19 years. In February, she left to become the Dean of Liberal Studies at Montgomery County Community College. In her work at Chestnut Hill College, she co-chaired with Professor Jacki Reich CHC's core curriculum review from 2020-2022. She is excited to share some of her thoughts about the approach they took during the review, where they were charged with infusing CHC's mission into the core curriculum while increasing student engagement and retention.
Thank you to the following sponsors for their support of the National Gathering.
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