In my three short years at Moravian, I have met many female professors and faculty members who have shown the next generation of women that it is okay to be assertive and powerful in our own fields or just in everyday life. 

In my time on campus, I have yet to meet a female professor who has not influenced my life in some way. It is important to find someone on campus who you can look up to as a role model- someone you can trust to help guide you wherever you need to be.  

Here, in no specific order, are the female role models who have most empowered me: 

Gillian Sharkey

As one of the main staff members in the Career and Civic Engagement Center, she is one of the busiest women I know. I have had the pleasure of working alongside her for Gamma Sigma Sigma. She is one of the most gentle yet opinionated women on this campus- but in a completely positive way. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and is a big advocate for those who are less fortunate than others. 

Dr. Sandra Aguilar

History Department Chair Dr. Aguilar empowers women in the field by showing them that if they put the time and effort into their studies, they too can become a permanent figure in their field.  She also dedicates her time to teaching the history and heritage of Latin American cultures. Dr. Aguilar brings awareness to the hardships the cultures went through — and still go through today — all while balancing her own life outside of Moravian. 

Dr. Michelle Schmidt

Dr. Schmidt teaches an exclusive program open to only freshmen and sophomores called the Emerging Leaders.The group is filled with students who have a passion for serving others in the community and leading their fellow classmates in any endeavor they might pursue. Dr. Schmidt meets with these students once a week, helping them blossom into the leaders she knows they can be. By the end of their first semester at Moravian, many of the students open up, break out of their shells, and become amazing leaders on campus. 

Dr. Jane Berger

History professor and Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Berger is an advocate for all diverse groups on campus. She advises many clubs, including our AAUW’s, which empowers everyone, regardless of gender, race, or religion. She stands up for what she believes is right while trying to balance her full schedule of classes and advising. 

Chaplain Jennika Borger

As chaplain on our campus, Chaplain Borger extends the love and admiration to Moravian students whether they show up to Sunday mass or Christian Fellowship or are just walking down the hall. She exudes passion for religion and for all God’s people, no matter who they are.

Benigna von Zinzendorf

Of course I could not forget about the girl in history who made it possible for women to even be on Moravian’s campus. For those who don’t know, Benigna is the daughter of Count Zinzendorf, and she founded Moravian College when she was just a teenager. She founded this school originally for Moravian girls and Native Americans in the mid 1700s. She is included on this list because even if you do not know her name, Benigna von Zinzendorf is the reason why we are all here. Looking back on her history, she empowered women who sought out an education, even when people believed women didn’t need one.