40 Women for 40 Years
Going back over 175 years, Saint Vincent College has a storied history—and women have played an important role in all of it. One could even make the argument that it all began with Boniface Wimmer’s mother, Elizabeth, who shaped his life to become the person we now know as our College’s founder.
Women have had a presence at Saint Vincent College long before it became coeducational in 1983, whether it was the Benedictine sisters who made sure all the young men and monks were happy and well-fed or the first women professors who helped shape the minds of those young men and monks or the women administrators who led the charge in helping to ensure women had the opportunity to receive a Saint Vincent education. Even our cherished Basilica, traditionally referred to with feminine pronouns and as the bride of the monks, could be considered as one of the longest-standing feminine presences on our campus.
The women who are on this list would not be on this list if it weren’t for the women who came before them. In fact, this list probably wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for them. So, this is our way of thanking all of those women; no matter how big or small their role was in shaping Saint Vincent into the institution it is today, it has been undeniably profound.
We received well over 200 nominations for this list, and narrowing that 200 down to 40 was a pleasant challenge to have. The women on this list embody, in every way, what it means to be a Bearcat—from their faith and dedication to being lifelong learners and their ability to foster transformative experiences for those around them to their achievements in leadership and their service to and impact on the College. They move our world forward, always forward. The impact these women have left on the College and our Bearcat Community is immeasurable and invaluable, and this project only scratches the surface of recognizing their successes and contributions. Let us, then, take this event, this project, as an opportunity to ensure that their impact will continue to be felt and that we continue to recognize and celebrate the women who move Saint Vincent College forward.
So, here’s to the women. Happy 40th.
Morgan Paris, C’16
Editor-in-Chief,
1846: The Magazine of Saint Vincent College
Vera Slezak
Professor Emeritus of Foreign Language | H’08
BY Dr. Doreen Blandino
When one thinks of Professor Vera Slezak, several adjectives come to mind: strong, sensible, proper, diligent, unique, candid, courageous, loyal, dedicated, and compassionate. In 1960, Vera Slezak embarked on her teaching career at Saint Vincent College, and this historic appointment rendered her the first woman to serve on the faculty. Vera’s noteworthy career would span three decades, and our “first lady” remained the only female professor on the faculty for many years. Vera Slezak is worthy of recognition not just because of her place in the history of Saint Vincent College, but because of the values and passion with which she lived her life.
Frau Slezak, as she was affectionately called by her students, was a gifted teacher, devoted to her students, and had undeniably high standards for the Benedictine monks and students who would study Russian and German with her through the years.
Vera did not have an easy life. She and her husband, Jaroslav, who also taught at Saint Vincent in the Physics Department, fled communist Czechoslovakia in 1958 for Austria and eventually arrived in the United States in 1960. Without discussing their plans to flee with anyone, the Slezaks left their families, friends, and careers behind for a life of democracy and religious freedom. In 1975, Jaroslav lost his sight due to detachment of both retinas, but he persevered in teaching for the last fifteen years of his career completely blind, with the continuous professional assistance of Vera, who also had her own full-time teaching load.
Upon her retirement in 1991, Vera was named Professor Emeritus of Foreign Language and was bestowed an honorary doctoral degree in 2008. Professor Slezak had a notable presence on campus throughout her career. She served as a mentor for faculty and was especially a great support and role-model for female faculty. Professor Slezak served the community as a translator for businesses, hospitals, and professionals conducting research.
Throughout her life, Vera portrayed the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts values of Saint Vincent College. Her desire to practice and uphold the Catholic faith in every sense was the impetus for her to courageously go against the Communist regime by refusing to join the Communist Party. She would endure great suffering during her time “underground,” but her strong faith carried her through. Again, Vera confronted adversity when her husband lost his sight, but her unwavering Catholic faith and determination allowed her to persevere again.
Vera lived a very modest and prayerful life. She was a devout Catholic and member of the Saint Vincent Basilica Parish for fifty-two years. She demonstrated Benedictine hospitality to students, colleagues, and friends and especially welcomed generations of Benedictine monks to her home and would prepare delicious meals and pastries for them.
A master teacher, Vera set high expectations for academic excellence and character in and outside of the classroom. She was proud of becoming a U.S. citizen and encouraged her students to be good citizens, to become engaged, and not take their freedom for granted. She also instilled in her students the value of a liberal arts education.
She was a devoted and beloved wife, colleague, friend, and teacher. She looked upon her students as her children. Students from five decades kept in touch with Vera by visiting; sending cards, letters, photos, and flowers; and providing updates on their careers and families, and all expressed their gratitude for the love, lessons, and care their “Frau” had showed them. Vera proudly shared those keepsakes with me and treasured every visit and correspondence. Vera always cherished living in the United States and her position on our faculty; she would often say to me that, “Being at Saint Vincent is like sitting on the edge of Heaven.”
Ann Giacobbi
Accounting Major | C’98
Ann Giacobbi graduated from Saint Vincent in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. At Saint Vincent, she was involved with the Orientation Committee, Campus Ministry, the softball team, and Student Tour Guide Admissions Representatives, and she fondly remembers Sports Friendship Day. In her senior year, Ann was awarded the Saint Vincent College Community Service Award and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Award. She went on to receive her MBA from Duquesne University, with a concentration in leadership.
After graduation, Ann began her career with Kennametal, Inc., and went on to work with KPMG, LLP; Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.; Cleaveland/Price, Inc.; and GENCO, A FedEx Company. Ann also spent time as an adjunct professor at SVC. Working at Westinghouse Electric Company since 2015, she is currently a commercial financial analyst for nuclear fuel, providing analytics and financial support for reporting, forecasting, market development, and strategic growth initiatives.
Ann is also a certified internal auditor and certified public accountant, as well as a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, PICPA, and Women in Nuclear organizations. She has served on many committees and councils, including having formerly served as president of the Saint Vincent College Alumni Council.
Undecided on a major when enrolling at Saint Vincent, it was through the liberal arts education that Ann was able to explore different areas and ultimately find success in her accounting career. Ann recognizes that it is the people at Saint Vincent who make it a special place, not just as monks, professors, administrators, and staff, but as lifelong role models, mentors, and friends.
Shauna (Hetrick) Policicchio
Computing and Information Science Major | C’13
Few individuals have made waves as large as Shauna Policicchio, a 2013 graduate majoring in Computing and Information Science, following their graduation, but fewer still have done so with an innate drive to help others. In attending Saint Vincent College, Shauna took values from those around her and attached them to her lifestyle, learning to aid others in small ways that would lead to greater change overall.
Spending time in SVC’s Catholic community afforded Shauna the opportunity to bring her faith to all aspects of her life, and her education at Saint Vincent positively impacted her as a whole person, not only academically. Shauna’s faith pushed her and her husband into becoming foster parents and for her to become a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and to become a classroom aide in her church’s catechism class.
Currently, Shauna works for CrowdStrike as a senior security researcher, where in 2022, she received the CrowdStrike One Team, One Fight Award. The award is presented to CrowdStrike employees who go beyond what they’re told to do while working on a project. In Shauna’s case, she received the award because when the Ukraine War began, she took charge and participated in a “Ukraine War Room” in order to provide timely reporting to her customers during the early days of the war.
We’re proud to call a caring individual like Shauna an alumna of SVC, and prouder still of the accomplishments she continues to achieve—we’re grateful she’s a member of the Bearcat family.
Theresa Russo
Psychology Major | C’87
When Saint Vincent College began admitting women for the first time forty years ago, few women attended as readily as Theresa Russo. With SVC having always been a part of her life, she began to understand her father’s commitment to the school after she attended, her father having graduated from SVC himself.
It was the strong sense of community and putting students first that made Saint Vincent a very special place to Theresa. The education she received at Saint Vincent was a strong foundation for her graduate studies, and it motivated her to work in higher education. In her professional life, Theresa strove to provide learning experiences that would engage students and facilitate their success, wanting students to have the same sense of belonging and relationship-rich education she experienced at Saint Vincent.
After graduating with her doctorate, Theresa began teaching as a professor in human development and family studies at SUNY Oneonta in 1999. In 2021, she took on a new role as the special assistant to provost for academic engagement, and eventually she became the acting associate vice-president for academic affairs. After many years, Theresa has retired, though she’s been working part-time in her role as the special assistant for a year.
After making her mark at SVC and other institutions, Theresa has had a life and career that is quintessentially Saint Vincent, and she’ll always be known as one of the first women at the College—a place to which she can always come home.
Nancy Rottler
Former Assistant Vice President for Student Success and Retention
BY Dr. Jeffrie Mallory
Dr. Nancy Rottler is simply one-of-a-kind. As an unsure freshman who had just left the warm confines of a close-knit community in Virginia where everyone knew each other’s name, my transition to the SVC community was a sizable leap. With the need to balance the expectations as a student-athlete and the need to establish a routine, I was reminded by my mother to “look for the helpers,” as the late Fred Rogers would encourage us to do. From the moment I first met Nancy, I knew we would have a special relationship. Her warm smile, her many embraces, and her unwavering passion to help me and countless others who approached her made clear her commitment to ensuring we were put in position to succeed. I never saw her turn anyone away who asked for help. As she climbed the ranks in administration at SVC, I remained in awe that she could carve out the time to pursue her EdD in higher education administration. She is a primary reason that I decided to pursue my own EdD.
Among the most visible attributes that I and others witnessed in Nancy was her happy disposition, her treatment of others that was free of any judgment, her loyalty to the College, and her commitment to her faith. Nancy had a cherished way of making you feel better. In her role as the director of the opportunity program and as a support to many students, it was common for her to engage students who encountered difficulties; she always made it a point to make them feel better. As a professional, Nancy displayed the remarkable ability to engage people as they were, regardless of their background or differences. For her loyalty to SVC, Nancy, to this day, does all she can to promote the goodness about our special community. She continues to check-in on current staff and students and is still known to reach out to many alums.
In regard to her faith, from our conversations about my family, her family, and especially about her mother, Mary Lou, anyone who encountered Nancy was well aware that faith has permeated her life in many ways. I truly believe that faith has allowed her to serve as tremendous mentor, colleague, and friend to so many who have been blessed to cross paths with her.
There is an important element about Nancy that many may not discuss or truly recognize. Nancy ensured that any students she worked with felt they were worthy and truly mattered during their time at SVC and in their respective lives after. As a person, she wanted to know the smallest details about you, all in the hope that she could better understand you and ultimately, better help you. I also recall a unique way that she would have an early impact on you: during the first few weeks of your arrival, Nancy would hand out copies of Make the Impossible Possible, an inspirational book by her mentor at the time, Bill Strickland. A mentor much later in my life, Bill was astonished to realize the impact that Nancy had on several generations of SVC students via his book. This example serves as one of many that points to a truly remarkable person and leader who molded the experiences of many.
Nancy’s recognition as one of the forty finest women who have impacted our SVC community is nothing short of deserving. On behalf of many and with the deepest gratitude allowed, I wish to thank Nancy on behalf of so many who are blessed to know you.
Elizabeth Hoxie
Biology and Theology
Major | C’08
Elizabeth Hoxie has embraced change in more ways than one. As a former Air Force and now Coast Guard spouse, Elizabeth is a devoted mother of six who has made several moves across the country supporting her husband in the military, most recently embarking on the long journey from Alaska to Virginia. Graduating Saint Vincent College in 2008 with degrees in
biology and theology, her education fits perfectly into her current career as an educator. Today, she serves as the dean of students for the Kolbe Academy, a premier online Catholic homeschool provider.
When Elizabeth first set foot on campus, one of the most profound elements of the Saint Vincent community that stood out to her was the number of women in the STEM and theology classrooms. It made her feel like she was in the right place, to be surrounded by so many women professionals.
Elizabeth has always taken an active role in each new community she enters. She served in a number of roles including religious education instructor, certified fertility awareness instructor, and most recently, as an advocate and medical steering committee advisor for a local pregnancy resource center in Juneau, Alaska.
Elizabeth was deeply and immeasurably impacted by the formation she received at Saint Vincent College, but especially by the guidance of her mentors, including Dr. Chris McMahon, professor of theology, and Dr. Jen Koehl, professor of biology.
Sheila (Smith) McGrane
Accounting Major | C’01
Sheila McGrane, CPA, started her record of achievement at Burrell High School, where she participated in volleyball, basketball, holds the two-mile record in track, graduated at the top of her class, and was named homecoming queen during her senior year. She majored in accounting at Saint Vincent, during which time she played volleyball for the Bearcats, served as the accounting tutor, worked in the Athletic Department, and received a PICPA scholarship. Sheila graduated with highest honors, receiving the accounting major academic award.
Sheila completed an accounting internship with Ernst and Young (now EY) after her junior year and began full-time employment with EY at graduation. She completed an MBA at the University of Pittsburgh as part of an EY program to identify and prepare future leaders, graduating with distinction and being named Outstanding Student of the Year by the faculty. She transferred to the Washington, D.C., office of EY in 2013 and was named a partner in 2015, believed to be the first Saint Vincent female graduate to do so. Her primary role is in the area of assurance and advisory services to large global financial services organizations, and she holds multiple leadership positions for EY’s eastern region.
McGrane lives in Fairfax, Virginia, with her husband, Jason, and their three children, where they are active at St. Ambrose Parish.
Amy Panebianco
Accounting Major | C’88
Amy Panebianco graduated from Saint Vincent in 1988 with a degree in accounting and a minor in finance. She started her career at the IRS after graduating as a tax auditor. This would take her on to Duquesne University, where she graduated from its School of Law in 1994. She later became a revenue agent, staying with the IRS. While in this role, Amy mentored students who were attending Duquesne School of Law and were also interning with the IRS. She also provided technical assistance to the Wage and Investment Operating Division by volunteering to answer estate and gift questions referred by the telephone assistors. During this time, she also volunteered to run the Cranberry Township Office yearly food drive program and was a volunteer for the Butler County Literacy Program.
Amy served as Alumni Council president from 2002-2003 and remains one of the legal advisors to the Council, in addition to working on the fundraising committee for the Father Gilbert Burke, O.S.B., Alumni Council Endowed Scholarship. In 2008, she received the Silver Award – Woman of the Year from the Federal Executive Board in Pittsburgh. In 2013, she received the Bronze Award for Community Service also from the Federal Executive Board in Pittsburgh. From Saint Vincent College, she received the Alumni of Distinction award in 2008 and the Father Camilllus Long, O.S.B., Award from Alumni Council. She retired this March after serving as an Estate Tax Attorney in the Small Business/Self-Employed Operating Division, where she examined large estate and gift tax return issues. She was also the Northeast Territory Subject Matter Expert on estate gift whistleblower cases.
Currently a pastor at Another Level Ministries in Pittsburgh, Tiffany Gilbert is a graduate of Saint Vincent with a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration, and she credits Saint Vincent for much of her success in her adult life.
SVC is a place that holds many special moments for Tiffany. She always had a high level of respect for Saint Vincent as an academic institution. Her relationship with SVC started as a young girl, simply because of her father sharing his experiences as a student and graduate of Saint Vincent.
Periodically, Tiffany can be seen on Cornerstone Television Network, while she is also the executive director at a Pregnancy Care Center in Pittsburgh. It’s clear for her how Saint Vincent has assisted in molding her to become the leader that she is today. Much of what she does requires skilled and bold leadership, and she’s thankful that Saint Vincent College gave her the opportunity to hone these skills, which she uses on a daily basis.
During her time at Saint Vincent, Tiffany had the pleasure of working in the summers with the Pathways to Success program, an academic enrichment program for inner city youth. She also participated in mock trial and had the opportunity to serve as a prefect. She also highly enjoyed playing ultimate Frisbee with her friends on the field. This year, she received the Alumni of Distinction award.
Tiffany Gilbert
Political Science and Public Administration Major | C’03
Katie Boosel
Lecturer in Theology | C’04
As the current director of religious education at Slippery Rock’s Saint Faustina Parish, Katie Boosel enjoys coordinating educational opportunities for her community. In a post-COVID environment, she is encouraged to see the young adults in her rural community grow their faith through service, and she believes that people learn to love Christ by loving others.
As both a Saint Vincent student and staff member, Katie Boosel was a crucial force in building the vibrant Campus Ministry program that SVC students enjoy today. Hired in 2003 as the program’s work study, she worked behind the scenes to organize events and service projects for her fellow students until joining the staff as the first full-time female Campus Minister in 2005. During her tenure, Campus Ministry grew into a campus-wide community that provides all students the opportunity to participate in Boniface Wimmer’s service-oriented and forward-thinking vision. She enjoyed giving students and faculty multiple avenues to connect, help their fellow Bearcats, and serve our international neighborhood through mission trips. While working at Saint Vincent, Katie planned and co-led student trips to World Youth Day in Germany, spring break mission trips to Brazil, and a Campus Ministry trip to Rome. She fondly remembers the immersive trips to Brazil where students would come together for mass and a meal after a long day of service and share their moments of wonder from their work.
Katie teaches several theology courses at Saint Vincent and works closely with the Office of Service Learning to build bridges between the Bible and the contemporary problems faced by our community on the day-to-day. In particular, she pairs her teaching of the Prophets with service learning so that students can enact the kind of social justice work
the Old Testament talks about.
Katie lives in Prospect with her husband, Jason, and their three children, Chloe, Brigid, and Jack. Together, they enjoy chauffeuring them around to their various after school activities.