Accelerate Faculty

As 2021 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on all that we have accomplished. This year saw the return of in-person learning in the fall, new in-demand programs launched, exciting grants that will help our students reach new heights, and inspiring colleagues taking on new leadership roles. Here are some of Alverno’s biggest stories from 2021:

Jodi Eastberg, who served as executive director of the Alverno College Research Center for Women and Girls and the Center for Academic Excellence, was named dean of Professional and Graduate Studies. Read more

Alverno College received a $1 million endowment from the estate of the late Janet D. Martin, a longtime member of Alverno’s Board of Trustees and an avid supporter of the college. Read more

Meghan Walsh was appointed dean of the School of Adult Learning and New Initiatives (SALNI). She previously served as Alverno’s director of Alumnae Relations and, most recently, as interim associate dean of SALNI. Read more

Billye Aaron — educator, broadcaster, philanthropist and wife of the late Hank Aaron — received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Alverno during the college’s Commencement ceremony held at Milwaukee’s American Family Field. Read more

Alverno College received the 2021 Trudy W. Banta Lifetime Achievement in Assessment Award, given to national leaders in assessment work. This marked the first time an institution received the prestigious award. Read more

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for public health officials. In response, Alverno launched a new public health degree program in the fall. Read more

The Thea Bowman Institute for Excellence and Leadership is a full-tuition scholarship program for Black undergraduates who have a strong desire to serve as leaders. This year, The Wisconsin Character Education Partnership (WCEP) awarded the Thea Bowman Institute the Promising Practice Award for the program’s racial identity development seminar. Read more

Lindsey Harness, an associate professor of Communication and Technology who also served as a co-director for the Women’s and Gender Studies program, was appointed director of the Alverno College Research Center for Women and Girls. Read more

Laurie Kunkel-Jordan, who served as interim dean and director of the college’s graduate nursing programs, was appointed dean of Alverno College’s JoAnn McGrath School of Nursing and Health Professions. Read more

A national Science Foundation grant totaling nearly half a million dollars was awarded to Alverno College to improve student retention in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math and to educate women to succeed in these in-demand careers. Read more

Cheryl Moore was named executive director of the Career Studio, where she will lead efforts to prepare students for competitive futures. She came to Alverno from Cardinal Stritch University, where she served as an assistant professor and chair of the undergraduate business program. Read more

Christa Shields was named vice president of Advancement at Alverno College after a nation-wide search. She came to Alverno from Special Olympics Wisconsin, where she successfully raised more than $5.3 million over the last two years. Read more