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Living the Mission - Associates Serving in Higher Education
By Donata Glassmeyer, Associate

Associate Nicki Veldhaus (center), with College of Mount St. Joseph President Anthony Aretz and Linda Liebau, director of grants and research, is the college’s director for Alumni Relations.

Nicki Veldhaus of Anderson Township (Cincinnati) made her formal commitment as an Associate of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati on June 26, 2011. As an employee of the College of Mount St. Joseph since 2002, she initially worked in the Admissions Office counseling incoming adult students.

One of Nicki’s former “intakes,” Jackie Lewis, a junior at the college, said, “Nicki is one of my favorite people. She inspired me to choose the College of Mount St. Joseph. If it were not for her, I would not have become a student. She has a warm spirit and a welcoming attitude that made me feel at home the day I walked in the door.”

Nicki believes her service in the Admissions Office enhanced her ability to live the mission of the Sisters of Charity. “My responsibilities in that role required me to listen and counsel adult students contemplating returning to higher education or just beginning their studies. Many times a student’s life would be in turmoil, so being an empathetic listener as well as a ‘cheerleader,’ helped me help the student work through issues impacting their education,” Nicki said.

“Often,” she continued, “the subject of God and spirituality would arise, opening the door for a deeper discussion of a student’s beliefs. I could relate the Sisters of Charity mission and their long affiliation with the college. This was a ministry for me.”

“In the Admissions Office, however,” Nicki said, “relationships with students were often short-lived. In October 2010, I transferred to the Alumni Office as the director for Alumni Relations. Now I find that my relationships with former students are more substantial and long term. The title of the position is descriptive. I work to keep alumni engaged in both service and financial support of the institution because it is with committed and engaged alumni that the mission of the college can continue to be viable.”

“When I transferred into this position from Admissions, I knew it was right, but not knowing where God was leading me. I am experiencing a different side of college operations and I am slowly seeing additional ministry opportunities. Fund raising is the biggest challenge; it’s probably the same one the Sisters faced when they operated as management and board of directors of the college,” Nicki said.

Nicki believes that “Elizabeth Seton has a presence in the halls of the college, as well as all of the Sisters of Charity who have carried her mission and courage forward. I feel honored to serve in this position and hope to have many newly formed friendships through my work in Alumni Relations, as well as with the Associates of the Sisters of Charity. I feel I carry the spirit of Elizabeth in all the relationships I continue to build with former students, whether they graduated two years ago or 52 years ago.”

Associate candidate Deborah Rose-Milavec is the vice president of Catherine of Siena Virtual College.

From the bricks and mortar of the College of Mount St. Joseph we move into the virtual world of higher education where Associate candidate Deborah Rose-Milavec serves as vice president of Catherine of Siena Virtual College (www.catherinecollege.net).

“For the last three years, I have worked for this nonprofit college which promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women through gender and women’s studies online in an international environment,” Deborah said.

“Ours is a small organization,” Deborah explained, “where everyone shares the tasks. I travel to developing countries to create relationships with colleges, universities, women’s groups, etc. in order to offer our courses around the world. We also work closely with scholars, theologians and activists in developing regions to create courses that are culturally relevant and useful. I open new offices, write grants, market our work, build and maintain the Web site and blogs, handle administrative tasks and contract with teachers. I teach, as well, and do whatever else is needed to keep things moving forward.

“Working for women’s rights and empowerment along with the rights of children and young adults has always been my passion and calling. In all of my service experiences, I have always forwarded the cause and work, the skills and experience of women so that women’s voices and talents can be used to create a more just and peaceful world,” Deborah said.

“S. Louise Akers is my hero and the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati are some of the brightest and the best in so many ways in so many fields,” Deborah added. “They combine outreach to the poor and vulnerable with a savvy business model that rivals any of the Mark Zuckerberg’s of the world. And they do it with such heart and passion.

“Like Elizabeth I am a mother of six and a grandmother of eight. I want to pass on to my children and grandchildren a passionate sense of justice so that they may carry on the good work of changing the world for women, children, men and all those who are made vulnerable by war, ecological exploitation, violence and injustice of every sort,” Deborah said.

“Meeting passionate and talented women who are working for justice all over the world is very satisfying,” Deborah continued. “I am also inspired by women who have little opportunity, economic or social status, and who bring a level of integrity and care that is not often seen in more westernized countries. Watching a woman string flowers and then sell them on the streets makes my heart burst with love and admiration,” she exclaims.

 

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