Announcing the 2022-24 Laura Johnson Leaders

The Women’s Advancement Initiative is proud to announce 18 women faculty and staff from across the University have been selected to participate in the 2022–2024 cohort of the Laura Johnson Leaders Program. This dynamic two-year program began on September 16.

Since 2008, there have been 144 program participants and more than 20% have gone on to advanced leadership roles. In its inclusion of faculty and staff together, this popular program succeeds in not only building leadership and professional development, but also in fostering greater community on campus. Continuing the legacy of Hartford College for Women (HCW), this program was named for Laura Johnson. Laura Johnson was the third dean and first president of Hartford College for Women who personified leadership and instilled confidence in the many HCW students, faculty, and staff whose lives she touched. She spent more than 30 years at HCW and established it as a place for “women who wanted to learn and teachers who loved to teach.”

Participants in the Laura Johnson Leaders program benefit from an innovative leadership training program, networking, engagement in campus and personal development projects, and creative collaborations. Participation is free thanks to the generosity of The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s donors, a community of women and men who believe that advancing women’s potential is a personal and collective priority. These donors include faculty, staff, and students who have benefited from one of The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s programs, including many Laura Johnson alumnae.

2022-2024 Laura Johnson Leaders

· Cassandra Anderson, Senior Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid, Financial Aid Office

· Peggy Mitchell Beauregard, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Hillyer

· Karen Braccialarghe, Clinical/Applied Assistant Professor of Nursing, ENHP

· Emily Burns, Accommodation Coordinator, Access-Ability Services

· Janell Carroll, Adjunct Professor of Psychology, A&S

· Victoria Connors, Manager of College Admissions, ENHP

· Sarah Coster, Community Outreach Corporal, Public Safety

· Abby Hoffman-Finitsis, Clinical/Applied Assistant Professor Prosthetics and Orthotics, ENHP

· Jennifer Frontiero, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, Office of Development and Alumni Engagement

· Thilagha Jagaiah, Assistant Professor and Program Director of Special Education, ENHP

· Annmarie Magurany, Reference and Instructional Librarian, Libraries

· Kelly McGeever, Associate Professor and Program Director of Criminal Justice, A&S

· Lindsay McKeegan, Assistant Director of Human Resources Development

· Shivangi Nangia, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, A&S

· Julie Barnofski Portfolio, Assistant Director, Office of Sponsored Programs

· Elizabeth Rastede, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, A&S

· Julie Spring, Director of Student Services and Advising, Center for Student Success

· Laura Graves Wheeler, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, ENHP