2024 Staff Merit Awards Winners

Mark Brown has been an administrative coordinator in the Department of Physical Therapy since December 2022. Equipped with degrees from Assumption University (BA in French), Hekima University College in Kenya (Bachelor of Sacred Theology), and Weston Jesuit School of Theology—now Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry— (Master of Theology), and a broad range of experience as a teacher, pastoral associate, communicator, and DEI professional, Mark has made an impact in the short time he has been at SJU. He has brought a spirit of hospitality, cultural awareness, and inclusion, not only within the PT Department and the School of Health Professions, but also across the University: supporting student events, joining the Staff and Administrative Support Committee, celebrating and raising awareness of cultural holidays and celebrations, promoting Mission Week (including bringing Hawk Dogs for Haiti to our University City location), volunteering as a Commencement marshal, participating in retreat days and the Ignatian Leadership Program, learning and building community through book clubs and community lunches, and serving on the Day of Dialogue Planning Committee and the Land Acknowledgement Ad Hoc Committee.

Mark is also a long-time team captain for Walk MS, and enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends, traveling, volunteering at Saint Raphaela Center in Haverford, and singing with the choirs at Saint Francis de Sales Parish (University City/West Philadelphia) and the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Jeannine joined the HSB team as an administrative assistant for the Executive MBA program in 2012. From day one, she has provided essential support for our students and faculty. As our team reorganized over the past decade, Jeannine’s role continued to expand. With unwavering dedication, Jeannine progressively took on additional responsibilities with grace and efficiency. As a Program Coordinator, she continues to employ her talents in project and event planning to keep operations running smoothly for all graduate business programs. Jeannine’s kind, genuine and inclusive nature fosters a supportive environment for the entire Graduate Business Office, and the hundreds of students we serve. We are proud and fortunate to have such a wonderful person on our team. Congratulations, Jeannine, on this well-deserved acknowledgment for your exceptional service.

Coleen Bennett, M.A.T., Assistant Director of the Office of Learning Resources, has worked at Saint Joseph’s University for 7 years. Coleen began her SJU career as a part-time College Transition Coach before moving on to two consecutive full-time roles – first as Coordinator of Peer Tutoring and Learning Support and more recently as Assistant Director. Coleen has helped the university navigate academic support transitions through two mergers. This year, she managed tutoring operations on both the Hawk Hill and University City campuses. Coleen also runs the parent portion of Transfer Student Orientation and oversees work-study students who work as support staff at the Success Center (of which her office is a part). Beyond her official roles, Coleen is best known for her welcoming spirit and is beloved by both students seeking support services and her 45-member student staff. She also goes above and beyond for the larger Success Center, addressing everything from housekeeping requests to printer malfunctions. Coleen brings the best of herself to her work each day.

Liz Rihl Lewinsky is a certified Financial Aid Administrator and has more than 30 years of University financial aid and enrollment management expertise. She currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Financial Aid in the Division of Enrollment Management, leading a team responsible for providing access to a Saint Joseph’s education for thousands of students. Liz is known as a kind and compassionate leader and model of customer service with our students and families. All while managing a robust portfolio of administration and compliance, Liz was instrumental in navigating the smooth transition of financial aid during two mergers and now continues to play a vital role in guiding the University through a nuanced and ever-changing regulatory environment for state, federal, NCAA and Title IV. In an unprecedented year for financial aid following the Department of Education’s FAFSA simplification, she provides regular updates to campus constituents, the new student adjusted income calculations, and the implications for systems, strategy, and most importantly our students and families. A subject matter expert in the new gainful employment and financial value transparency rules, she is a frequently sought out colleague and resource for those within Saint Joseph’s and across the country in the financial aid field. The entire team in Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications congratulates and thanks Liz for her tireless dedication on behalf of our students and families!

Nancy has been a proud member of the Hawk family for over 11 years, most recently supporting the Economics and Political Science departments in the College of Arts and Sciences since 2022. She deserves every recognition for her contributions to the university and is an asset to her department chairs. In addition to the necessary trainings, Nancy has gone above and beyond to seek out additional training on all software, procedures, and policies that may be useful to department chairs and faculty. Nancy also seeks out opportunities to engage in community service on behalf of her departments, such as collecting food and funds for Project Home Thanksgiving baskets on behalf of the Economics department and acting as their current liaison for various Mission Week collections. Nancy also seeks out opportunities for in-person connections to welcome students into the College of Arts and Sciences, such as organizing an open house for Economics students and faculty before winter break. The event had great student turnout, including a chance for faculty and students to connect in an informal setting before finals. These are just some of the ways Nancy has done an exceptional job contributing to the university’s mission. Again, many congratulations to Nancy for this momentous achievement!

Eric Thompson is the Program Manager for the Office of Mission Programs in the Division of Mission and Ministry. A 2018 graduate of SJU having majored in Leadership Ethics and Organizational Sustainability with minors in Communications and Faith Justice Studies. He was awarded an ACESJU Fellowship and served at Neumann Goretti High School and received his masters in 2020 in Business and Organizational Leadership from Neumann University. Eric has participated in the University's program in The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola and is currently in the Ignatian Leadership Program. He generously stepped into the leadership of SJU's Mission Week in 2023 and redesigned this university-wide event for our new post-mergers, three-campus reality. Eric was willing to consider how to better include alumni, employee-retirees and community partners via hybrid, virtual and alternative ways to participate in the nearly 40 engagements that now make up the current "spaces" for Mission Week. His outreach, assessment and follow-up have empowered a greater diverse expression and an increased imagination of how we all share and live the mission at St. Joe's.

Gab Koval has been a key member of the Marketing and Communications team since 2017. Upon graduating from Saint Joseph’s, Gab joined MarComm as a full-time employee lending her skills in marketing and analytics in support of Saint Joseph’s enrollment goals. Gab’s expertise has grown exponentially over the last few years and now is highly-regarded across campus for her knowledge in reporting, marketing analytics and Slate. This year, she played a critical role in the merger with PA College as a member of the Unified Student Recruitment Taskforce. This taskforce led the conversion between CRM systems from Salesforce to Slate. Gab was the marketing lead for the conversion, implementation, training and reporting within Slate for the Lancaster admissions team. Additionally, she leveraged her growing knowledge of Slate functionality to build a stop-gap solution and fix a longstanding tapeload error between Slate and Banner, the university’s two major systems of record for student data. These examples of dedication, critical thinking, team support and technical expertise are why Gab’s experience and time are so valuable not only to the Marketing and Communications team, but to the campus community as a whole.

Ashley Prim ’13, is in her 2nd season as an assistant coach at her alma mater. As a player, Ashley led the Hawk’s backcourt for four seasons and guided St. Joe’s to four consecutive postseason appearances, including the 2013 Atlantic 10 title and NCAA Tournament berth. Now as a coach, Ashley’s primary responsibilities include domestic recruiting, guard player development and game day scouting. As impactful as Ashley’s basketball prowess is on the court, her commitment to inclusion and diversity for all student-athletes at St. Joe’s is what sets her apart. Ashley heads the AMSAC (Adams Minority Student-Athlete Coalition), which aims to enhance the student experience for minority student-athletes by allowing their voices to be heard and make their impact visible. She gives of her time to organize monthly meetings, social events, and education sessions for our diverse group of student-athletes. Through her work with AMSAC Ashley wants to create a space where everyone can feel connected, educated, supported and loved here at SJU.

Dick Wisenbaker serves as the Director of Enterprise Product Portfolio Management in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. He has been a member of the St. Joe’s community since 2013. Dick was one of the founding members of the Office of Information Technology and Institutional Effectiveness Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. He serves as a member of a DEI book club, presents annually at the Day of Dialogue and is someone the council can go to for advice.

In partnership with Janée Burkhalter,Jill Welsh , and Jennifer Hasse, Dick went above and beyond in co-chairing the 2024 Day of Dialogue. The event, a 12-hour-long conference for the SJU community where over 3,000 people registered to attend, is a Hallmark event for SJU and could easily be a full-time job and Dick and the other co-chairs took on the responsibility, on top of their regular responsibilities. They modeled a collaborative and inclusive way of working that influenced the sub-committees. Dick promotes diversity and inclusion and supports a culture that embraces and exhibits inclusive excellence.

Beth Ford McNamee is the Associate Director of Campus Ministry, where she coordinates service and social justice programs. A triple graduate of SJU (BS, Psychology; MS, Psychology; Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership), Beth returned to Hawk Hill as a Campus Minister in 2006. As the coordinator of SJU’s Weekly Service Program, she has assisted thousands of students over the years in their service to the local community while encouraging them to view their efforts in the larger context of faith and social justice. Beth’s initiatives over the years have been very significant to the university, including leading the effort to establish an annual Post-Graduate Volunteer Fair on campus. She has served as a mentor, role model, and spiritual director for countless students whose lives have been tremendously impacted by her leadership and example.

Steven Silver is the Assistant Director for Research and Development in the Institute of Clinical Bioethics, but within this title he serves many different roles. Whether it is communicating with students, collaborating with community partners or facilitating university partnerships, Steven is a valuable mentor and trusted colleague. In just over two years, Steven has submitted more than 20 grants, and successfully received 10 on behalf of the Institute for a total of more than $500,000. Steven plays a pivotal role in the Health Promoter Program, which provides preventive healthcare to underserved, undocumented, uninsured and underinsured individuals in the Philadelphia and surrounding area. He has greatly contributed to the expansion of the Health Promoter Program, through building professional relationships, forming new partnerships and fostering existing ones. These programs would not be possible without his coordination and guidance. Steven demonstrates patience and the utmost empathy for every individual he encounters, making them feel welcomed, assured, and appreciated. Among all of these accomplishments, Steven is also a candidate in the MBA program through the Haub School of Business, with specializations in Marketing and Applied Investment Analysis. Through his humility, hard work and dedication, Steven’s merit is beyond inimitable.