Cohort 4 - Women in Leadership
- Matthew Loucy
- Robin Wade
Colleen Dougherty Burton, Ph.D.
Senior Director of Finance & Research Initiatives, Office of Research, Syracuse University
Dr. Colleen Dougherty Burton serves as the Senior Director of Finance & Research Initiatives within the Office of Research at Syracuse University. In this role, she leads financial planning, research data analytics, and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, collaborating with campus partners to support research and creative activities aligned with the university’s academic strategic plan.
Dr. Burton brings extensive experience in financial planning and academic research garnered through previous positions at the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, and Lockheed Martin. She earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, as well as master’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University. Her doctoral research focused on women in political leadership, examining the factors that influence their emergence as political candidates. Dr. Burton is also affiliated with the Maxwell School’s Department of Political Science as an Assistant Professor by courtesy.
Rachel DuBois
Director of Undergraduate Recruitment, Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University
A Syracuse native, Rachel DuBois applies her extensive knowledge of undergraduate student needs to the post of Director of Undergraduate Recruitment at the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. She earned her undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Higher Education from Syracuse University.
DuBois began her career at Syracuse in the Athletic Department, later transitioning to academic advising in the Whitman School. In 2018, she shifted to admissions and recruitment, where she now leads undergraduate recruitment efforts. She also teaches a First Year Seminar (FYS) each fall, supporting new students as they acclimate to university life. Outside of work, she is a mother of three and enjoys pilates, yoga, skiing, and home renovation projects.
Head Coach, Field Hockey, Syracuse University
Lynn Farquhar serves as Head Coach of Syracuse University’s field hockey team, returning to the program in 2023 after previously serving as Associate Head Coach from 2007 to 2010. In her first season back, she led the Orange to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals.
Before her return to Syracuse, Farquhar was the head coach at Saint Joseph’s University, where she guided the Hawks to four NCAA Tournament appearances and four Atlantic 10 Conference titles. Off the field, Farquhar chaired the NCAA Rules Committee, served on the NCAA Division I Championship Committee, and contributed to U.S. National Team U21 and U17 selection camps as a coach educator.
Farquhar’s earlier coaching roles include positions at George School, University of Delaware, James Madison University, and University of Richmond, all of which achieved conference or NCAA tournament success during her tenure. A graduate of Old Dominion University, she was a member of the 2000 NCAA Division I National Championship team.
Farquhar and her family, including her two sons, are proud members of the Syracuse community.
Senior Director, Office of Government Relations, Syracuse University
Maria Ferrara brings nearly a decade of experience in operations and stakeholder management across public and private sectors to her role as the Senior Director in the Office of Government Relations at Syracuse University, which she began in January 2024.
Before joining Syracuse University, Ferrara worked in Corporate Public Affairs for a Fortune 10 healthcare company, where she managed budgets, deliverables, and stakeholder relations. Earlier in her career, she served as senior staff to a U.S. House of Representatives member, after holding various roles on Capitol Hill. Ferrara also gained campaign strategy and financing experience at a national organization dedicated to supporting women running for public office.
A Syracuse native, Ferrara began her career in the City of Syracuse Office of the Mayor, overseeing scheduling and constituent services. She holds a degree in Political Science from Le Moyne College and takes a results-driven approach to her work.
Ferrara and her partner reside in the University Neighborhood, where they enjoy frequenting local restaurants, coffee shops, and attending Syracuse Orange football games at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Professor of Journalism and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University
Aileen Gallagher serves as Professor of Journalism and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Previously, she served as Chair of the Magazine, News, and Digital Journalism Department and Director of Program Review and Assessment, leading Newhouse’s successful reaccreditation in 2023.
Gallagher’s research focuses on digital editorial practices, the evolving roles of magazine editors, and journalism education. She earned an M.S. in Higher Education from Syracuse University in 2020 and completed the Management Development Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2024.
Since joining the Newhouse faculty in 2010, Gallagher has drawn on her extensive industry experience. As a journalist, she worked as a legal and business reporter in New York City before joining New York magazine in 2006, where she rose to senior editor on the publication’s award-winning website. She continues to contribute to national outlets such as The Washington Post, Vulture, and Slate, and is a nationally recognized expert on the magazine industry, frequently interviewed by outlets including The New York Times, CNN, and Marketplace.
Co-Principal Investigator and Project Director, NSF Upstate Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (ULSAMP), Syracuse University
Tamara N. Hamilton serves as the Co-Principal Investigator and Project Director for the National Science Foundation’s Upstate Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (ULSAMP) at Syracuse University, a role she has held since November 2012. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the ULSAMP grant and Syracuse University’s LSAMP program, which supports undergraduate students in STEM fields.
Before joining Syracuse University, Hamilton served as Assistant Director of the Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. There, she established retention programs for underrepresented minority STEM students, including directing the NSF LSAMP and Bridge to the Doctorate Graduate Fellowship Programs.
Hamilton holds a bachelor’s degree in Afro-American Studies and a master’s in Education Leadership and Policy Studies with a specialization in Higher Education, both from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is a doctoral candidate in Higher Education at Syracuse University, where she also serves as an adjunct instructor. Her research focuses on the experiences of Black women in STEM fields and factors influencing their academic and career trajectories.
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Visual and Performing Arts; Professor of Musicology, Syracuse University
A recognized expert in American opera and music studies, Dr. Stephanie Jensen-Moulton is the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University, where she also serves as Professor of Musicology. Prior to joining Syracuse, she was Interim Dean of the School of Visual, Media, and Performing Arts and Professor of Musicology and American Studies at Brooklyn College, CUNY.
Dr. Jensen-Moulton’s scholarly work includes the first edition of Miriam Gideon’s opera Fortunato (A-R Editions, 2013) and the forthcoming monograph American Opera and the Disabling of Women (Amherst College Press). She is co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of Music and Disability and her forthcoming co-edited volume “Better Be Good to Me”: American Popular Songs as Domestic Violence Narratives will be published by the University of Michigan Press.
Dr. Jensen-Moulton is also committed to community engagement and, outside of her academic work, enjoys spending time with her family, including her dog, two cats, and her mother and son in East Syracuse.
Professor, Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University; Interim Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility (DEIA)
Dr. Hua Jiang serves as a Professor at the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where she has been a faculty member since 2013. In her current role, she leads strategic planning for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) at Newhouse, focusing on recruitment, programming for marginalized students, and community engagement.
Previously, Dr. Jiang served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Newhouse, where she fostered curricular innovation and excellence. A leading scholar in public relations, Dr. Jiang has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and serves on the editorial boards of top public relations journals. She earned her Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Director of Health Promotion, Barnes Center at The Arch, Syracuse University
Veronica Whalen Jones leads strategic planning and program development for campus-wide health initiatives as the Director of Health Promotion at the Barnes Center at The Arch at Syracuse University. With more than a decade of experience in higher education public health, she oversees evidence-based programs addressing mental wellness, substance use harm reduction, sexual health, and violence prevention.
Jones holds a Master of Science in Health Sciences and a Post-Master’s Certificate in College Student Personnel Administration from James Madison University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science from East Carolina University. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and a trained yoga instructor. Outside of work, she is committed to community empowerment through initiatives like bystander intervention and wellness services, including mindfulness retreats and STI testing for students.
Executive Director of Clinical Legal Education; Teaching Professor and Director, Betty D. and Michael Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic; Director of Veteran and Military Affairs, Syracuse University College of Law
Elizabeth (Beth) Kubala serves as the Executive Director of Clinical Legal Education at Syracuse University College of Law, where she leads the clinical faculty and staff of seven law school clinics, providing students with practical legal experience while serving the Syracuse community. In July 2024, Kubala became the College of Law’s inaugural Director of Veteran and Military Affairs, supporting military and veteran students throughout their law school journey.
Kubala is also a Teaching Professor and Executive Director of the Betty D. and Michael Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, assisting veterans with complex disability claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Prior to joining Syracuse Law, she was a Senior Director at the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), overseeing national programs for service members, veterans, and their families.
Kubala retired from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years of service as a Military Intelligence Officer and Judge Advocate General’s Corps attorney, culminating in her role as a Military Judge at Fort Drum, New York. She holds a B.S. from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, and an LL.M. from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School.
Director of Research Development for the Social Sciences, Office of Research, Syracuse University
Dr. Elizabeth Lance supports faculty in securing high-impact, multi-million-dollar grants as the Director of Research Development for the Social Sciences in the Syracuse University Office of Research. She specializes in research development for faculty at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
With over a decade of experience in international higher education, Dr. Lance has worked at Northwestern University’s Qatar campus and was a Fulbright U.S. Student Fellow in Nepal. Her research development expertise is complemented by her passion for service, including teaching a quilting course in the Honors College and contributing to the Hendricks Chapel Quilters. Dr. Lance is fluent in Nepali and conversant in Bangla.
Director of Development, Family Giving Programs, Syracuse University
As the Director of Development for Family Giving Programs at Syracuse University, Lisa Liparulo serves as a major gift officer, advancing fundraising efforts to enhance the student experience. In this role, she engages with the families of current students and manages the Parents Council.
Liparulo joined Syracuse University in 2013 as an undergraduate advisor in the Whitman School of Management. In 2018, she transitioned to Falk College as an internship coordinator, academic advisor, and instructor, where she supported student success and collaborated with Sport Management alumni to facilitate senior capstone and internship opportunities. In 2022, Liparulo shifted into fundraising under the Advancement and External Affairs division, where she doubled prospect commitments and increased dollars raised fivefold as Assistant Director for Leadership Annual Giving before assuming her current role.
A proud Syracuse native, Liparulo earned her master’s degree in counseling and human services with a focus on Student Affairs from Syracuse University’s School of Education. She lives in Syracuse with her daughter, Emma, while her son, Ben, is completing his senior year at Paul Smith’s College. She also enjoys spending time with her dog, Vader, and cheering on the Orange at football, soccer, and basketball games.
Yanhong Liu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Unit Chair, Counseling and Human Services, School of Education, Syracuse University
An active researcher with numerous publications in counseling and interdisciplinary journals, Dr. Yanhong Liu is an Associate Professor and the upcoming Unit Chair of Counseling and Human Services Programs in the School of Education at Syracuse University. Her research focuses on marginalized youth, collegiate mental health, and counselor education.
Dr. Liu co-leads Lab THRIVE, an interdisciplinary collaborative that explores resilience, belonging, and mental health factors affecting college students in partnership with colleagues from the Maxwell School and Barnes Center at the Arch. With more than 10 years of experience as a counselor educator and supervisor, Dr. Liu has served as program coordinator for both the master’s in School Counseling and Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education programs. She is also an Associate Editor for The Journal of Counseling & Development and The Professional Counselor journals and serves as the President-Elect nominee for the Association for Specialists in Group Work.
Ashley Lopez
Director of Project Management, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University
Ashley Lopez serves as the Director of Project Management at Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), where she provides strategic oversight to support the institute’s mission. She manages a diverse portfolio of sponsored grants for research, evaluation, community services, and program projects, while also driving internal initiatives to enhance the organization’s operational effectiveness.
Lopez holds an MBA in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University, an MS in Literacy Education from Syracuse University, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Her experience spans both academic and non-profit sectors, with prior roles at Norwich University, where she directed operations, managed grants, and led strategic efforts for continuing and professional education programs.
Jody Nyboer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, School of Design, Syracuse University
Dr. Jody Nyboer seves as an Associate Professor in the School of Design at Syracuse University. Her research focuses on pedagogy, specifically examining the intersections of design, education, and creativity. She is particularly passionate about advancing knowledge and fostering discourse around studio instruction and critique.
Dr. Nyboer’s current research projects include investigating the supportive attributes of online applications for design feedback, exploring the applications and challenges of AI concept generation in studio instruction, examining the influence of environment on the creative production of design students, and assessing the role of creativity training in higher education.
Through her work, Dr. Nyboer aims to enhance teaching practices and support the development of innovative design education strategies that empower students and educators alike.
Andrea Persin
Assistant Dean of Budget, Finance, and Administration, College of Arts and Sciences, Syracuse University
Andrea Persin serves as the Assistant Dean of Budget, Finance, and Administration at Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences. She provides strategic financial oversight, manages the college’s budget, and ensures expenditures align with actual revenues. Persin also oversees human resource processes for the college, including annual compensation reviews, performance partnerships, and staffing and organizational planning.
A Syracuse native, Persin earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting from Columbia College and is on track to complete her MBA at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Business in June 2025. She began her career at the University in May 2015 as an Assistant Director of Budget and Finance. Before joining Syracuse University, Persin worked at AXA Equitable as a Senior Manager of Enterprise Governance, overseeing monthly financial and variance reporting for multiple IT business units.
Persin lives in Baldwinsville with her husband, son, and two dogs. She enjoys spending time with her family, attending marching band competitions, and supporting her son and the Baldwinsville music program.
Paula Possenti-Perez
Director, Center for Disability Resources, Syracuse University
Passionate about fostering inclusive excellence, Paula Possenti-Perez is the Director of the Center for Disability Resources (CDR) at Syracuse University, a role she has held since 2014. She oversees all disability-related resources and support services for undergraduate and graduate students at Syracuse University and SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry. Possenti-Perez leads CDR’s efforts to create a cultural shift in higher education by promoting disability as a rich expression of diversity and incorporating a social justice lens into its work.
Under her leadership, CDR strives to be a national leader in advancing an equity-minded approach to disability and inclusion on campus. Possenti-Perez’s vision focuses on enhancing student success through comprehensive support services, educational outreach, and advocacy for students with disabilities, ensuring a transformative, inclusive academic environment.
Farzana Rahman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Teaching, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Syracuse University
Known for her outstanding teaching and inclusive mentoring, Dr. Farzana Rahman is an Associate Professor of Teaching in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University. She received the Syracuse University Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Program’s Teaching Recognition Award in 2024 and the College Educator of the Year Award from the Technology Alliance of Central New York in 2023.
Dr. Rahman’s teaching approach emphasizes active learning, pairing hands-on programming with challenging projects that foster problem-solving, debugging, and software engineering skills. She is committed to creating equitable learning environments for all students, with a focus on women, genderqueer, non-binary, and underrepresented minorities. As a diversity advocate in her department, she leads DEIA initiatives such as the Research Exposure on Socially Relevant Computing (RESORC) program, funded by Google Research, which has engaged over 200 students in undergraduate research.
Kamala Ramadoss, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Science, Syracuse University
A faculty member since 2008, Dr. Kamala Ramadoss serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Syracuse University. Her research examines the impact of the work-family interface on organizational, individual, and family outcomes, with a focus on immigrant and refugee populations.
Dr. Ramadoss’s work explores how cultural integration, acculturation, social support, and health outcomes intersect, particularly among immigrants from China, Ghana, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. A Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) and mindfulness meditation practitioner, she also examines the role of mindfulness in workplace integration.
Anne E. Rauh
Head of Collections and Research Services, Syracuse University Libraries
Anne E. Rauh serves as the Head of Collections and Research Services at Syracuse University Libraries. In this role, she leads collection development, academic liaison services, open scholarship initiatives, and research services aligned with the university’s academic priorities.
Previously, Rauh served as a collection development librarian, overseeing science and engineering collections, and as an engineering liaison librarian. She holds a B.A. in International Studies and an M.A. in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Rauh is an active scholar, with extensive presentations and publications in science and engineering librarianship, collection development, and research impact. Her research interests include collection development, scholarly impact, research services, and publishing and scholarly communication.
Shannon Hitchcock Schantz, Ph.D.
Director, First Year Seminar, Syracuse University
Dr. Shannon Hitchcock Schantz helps students transition to university life as the Director of First Year Seminar (FYS) 101 at Syracuse University, a one-credit course designed to support new and transfer students. In her role, she oversees the curriculum, faculty training, assessment, and the recruitment and support of over 150 faculty, staff, and graduate student instructors who co-facilitate the course for approximately 4,000 students each year.
Dr. Schantz earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and biophysics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), a master’s degree in higher education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a doctorate in higher education from Syracuse University. Her dissertation research focused on the intersection of classroom climate and academic outcomes for women in engineering. Before joining Syracuse University, Shannon served as the student life director and Title IX coordinator at Pratt Munson College of Art and Design, an extension of Pratt Institute, where she managed residence life, student activities, and retention efforts.
Brianna Shults
Director of InclusiveU, Syracuse University
As the Director of InclusiveU at Syracuse University, Brianna Shults works to provide students with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to attend college. With more than nine years of experience at InclusiveU, Brianna has played a pivotal role in shaping the program’s strategic direction, student services, and community partnerships.
Shults holds a B.S. in Biology and a Master of Education from Le Moyne College, as well as a Master of Public Administration and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Leadership of International and Non-Governmental Organizations from Syracuse University. Prior to her work at the Taishoff Center, Shults developed and launched employment and community engagement programs for a Syracuse-based non-profit, equipping individuals with skills for success in their communities. She is passionate about advocating for increased access, funding, support, and inclusion for all students.
Yvonne (Eevie) Smith, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Syracuse University
Dr. Yvonne (Eevie) Smith serves as an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Syracuse University. Her research focuses on the challenges of developing and sustaining an ethical workforce in therapeutic residential care for children, with particular emphasis on trauma-informed care and the dynamics of youth residential treatment centers.
Dr. Smith leads the ethnographic arm of the NICHD-funded project Enriching Relational Environments as a Critical Pathway for Healing from Trauma (R01HD109329-01), examining how novel clinical practices are integrated into real-world settings. She has served as a representative and co-chair of the Falk College Faculty Council and recently contributed to the Human Dynamics Taskforce. Dr. Smith is particularly interested in how ideals like shared governance, academic freedom, and educational opportunity are operationalized at Syracuse University.
Emily Stewart
Director, LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Syracuse University
With a background in social justice, health and wellness, violence prevention, leadership development, and event planning, Emily Stewart serves as the Director of the LGBTQ+ Resource Center within the Intercultural Collective at Syracuse University. Before joining Syracuse, she served as the Director of the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center at SUNY Oneonta for nearly seven years.
Stewart has spent her career advocating for LGBTQ+ individuals and fostering inclusive environments. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University at Buffalo, a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology from SUNY Geneseo, and an associate degree from Monroe Community College. Outside of work, she enjoys video games, knitting, all things spooky, and spending time with her partner and cat.
Brooke Wears
Associate University Secretary, Board of Trustees, Syracuse University
Brooke Wears serves as the Associate University Secretary of the Board of Trustees at Syracuse University, a role she has held since 2023. She has been with the university since 2005, serving in various positions across departments. In her current role, she works closely with the Senior Vice President and University Secretary to manage the planning and execution of Board of Trustees meetings and related activities.
Wears joined the Office of the Board of Trustees in 2015 as Associate Director for Operations, was promoted to Assistant University Secretary in 2017, and to Associate University Secretary in 2023. Prior to her work in the Office of the Board of Trustees, she served as a Senior Project Analyst in the Energy Systems and Sustainability Management office. While working full-time, Wears earned a master’s degree in Public Relations from the Newhouse School of Public Communications in 2010, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology, which she earned in 2004.
Melissa Young
Sustainability and Resiliency Expert; Board Member, NYS Association of Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling (NYSAR3)
Melissa Young is a sustainability and resiliency expert with more than 17 years of experience in waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and sustainable organics management. She serves on the board of the NYS Association of Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling (NYSAR3) and has previously held a board position with the National Recycling Coalition.
A certified Master Composter in Onondaga County, New York City, and through the U.S. Composting Council, Young is a recognized leader in her field. She founded and leads Women for Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, and Rethinking Materials Management (W4R), a New York State-based professional network with over 120 members.
Young holds a Master of Science in Natural Resource Management from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. She is also a board member of the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, NY, where she supports sustainable agriculture and education initiatives.
Michaline Younis
Student Title IX Investigator, Syracuse University
Michaline Younis joined Syracuse University in 2023 as a Student Title IX Investigator, responsible for conducting thorough, impartial investigations into complaints of alleged discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct involving students. In addition to her role at Syracuse, Younis serves as an Adjunct Professor of Criminology at Le Moyne College, where she co-created the college’s first corrections-specific course.
Before joining Syracuse University, Younis spent more than 16 years with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, specializing in sex offender and substance abuse treatment. Outside of her academic and corrections work, she is the Founder and President of HEAL of Onondaga County, a nonprofit organization focused on drug addiction prevention and mental health support.
Younis earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Le Moyne College and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati.