WOMEN FOR OTHERS: CELEBRATING WOMEN IN THE XAVIER UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY
Mar 25, 2022
March marks Women's History Month, designated to recognize and honor the vital role of women in American history.
Xavier University proudly celebrates the many women who serve as important pillars in the Xavier community.
Throughout the month, Xavier has highlighted several respected leaders and members of the Xavier community — getting insight into their career paths, as they share stories about the women who've inspired them and give practical advice for young women today.
Today's features comprise the fourth and final edition of these Q&As. View previous editions:
Name: Christina Misali
Title: Director, Talent Pipeline at Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
First Year in Position: 2018
How did you come to arrive in your position at the Chamber?
"It was the opportunity to get back to a mission-driven organization and one that was focused on creating the type of community and future city that we all want to be a part of. A big part of that mission was our work helping underrepresented people pursue careers in technology and creating pathways for people to in-demand jobs. Lastly, working for the Chamber in general, I'm always interested in what's going on in Cincinnati and doing whatever we can to make it even better and celebrate all the things that we know and we love about the city."
What women have had an especially profound impact on you?
“One that comes to mind is Arianna Huffington. I feel like she was one of the first people talking about unplugging and mental health and how that aligns a little bit more with professional success. That it's not a sign of weakness to be able to say 'these are some of the things that I need to do to function as my best self.'
I would say closer to home, I'm lucky to be surrounded by great women like my mom and sister plus strong female colleagues. My C-Change classmates really stand out as well – we have a great group of women from different industries and backgrounds that truly support one another. I'm lucky to have people that challenge me and lift me up when I need it."
What was your experience like as a woman at Xavier?
"First, I would say I was lucky in the sense that I went to an all-girls high school so I was prepared. They gave us a voice, they taught us how to stand up for ourselves. They very much cultivated a type of female that was strong and independent, so I felt very comfortable in any environment by the time I got to college.
I think because Xavier cares so much about the whole person that they appreciated and provided pathways for women. They always really took into account your personal circumstances and what you needed as an individual to be successful. I had some strong male advocates as well, like Tom Schick who was my advisor and mentor during my time in undergrad. I also owe a lot to my first boss, Ida Schick and colleague Tina Farrell for teaching me about executive presences and servant leadership. I loved working with them at Xavier!"
What advice do you have for young women here at Xavier or women college students in general?
“I think my advice would be to get involved – create change. And it's really my suggestion for everyone, volunteer while you're in school. You've got your classes and that's your main responsibility. You want to obviously prioritize school but think about the clubs, the internships, different things like that.
Getting involved to volunteer expands your network and it helps open your eyes to a variety of experiences, obviously, that can expand your perspective on the world. But it's the best way to influence and create an environment you are proud to be a part of.
I think it's easy for people sometimes to sit back and underestimate their ability to influence. I would really encourage all students, but especially young women, to know you have a voice and we want you to use it to get engaged and get involved."
Name: Leslie Rasmussen, PhD
Title: Associate Professor, Department of Communication
First Year at Xavier: 2014
What brought you to Xavier and how did you arrive at your current position?
"I came here in the fall of 2014. I was fortunate to have several on-campus interviews and offers that year, but I came here first and I just couldn't shake how I felt on this campus. I absolutely love and respect the values that came across throughout my two days here when I was interviewing. And I just couldn't say no."
What advice do you have for young women here at Xavier or women college students in general?
"When I started my doctoral program I felt very overwhelmed and was not sure if I had made the right decision. I was a little older. I was married. I had a house and many other responsibilities. And I remember my dissertation adviser telling me, 'just take everything one day at a time and take every assignment or project one page at a time, one paragraph at a time if you need to. And before you know it, you've done it.'
I think breaking things down into small, digestible pieces is incredibly helpful when you're you're transitioning to anything new, especially to college because it can be overwhelming. It's not high school anymore. And I think that's really important and that's something that I remembered and that helped me throughout my doctoral program as well.
Who is a woman who made a profound impact on your life?
"This might seem silly or cliche, but my mom. I'm from a very large Mexican family and the females in my mom's family were not treated well. She was forced to drop out of high school in the 10th grade so that she could help care for her siblings who were younger, and there were about 14 of them in a two-bedroom house. She worked very hard her entire life to make sure that I, a first-generation college student, had every opportunity possible to succeed.
And that included somehow saving money from her paycheck at the grocery store for however many years so that I could get through undergrad with very little debt. And then she postponed retirement from that grocery store to help me get through my master's program. Education was really important to her because it was essentially stripped from her. She also lost my dad when I was two years old. He died suddenly, and so she was a single mom and just took amazing care of me, and I would not be living my dream at Xavier if it weren't for her."