October 9, 2024
Engage for Change
The Jepson School's and Bonner Center's shared commitment to community engagement was evident at the CCE's recent Engage for Change awards ceremony.
The Jepson Update
From the Dean
Greetings from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies!
Now that fall break is upon us, it is a good time to look back on the successes of the past months. For starters, I enjoyed seeing many of you in early June at Reunion Weekend when we celebrated two accomplished alumni, attorney Jessica Bigby, ’04, recipient of the Alumni Award, and pediatric nurse practitioner Lindsay Flanagan, ’14, recipient of the Tenth-Year Reunion Recognition Award.
Many of our students applied leadership principles during their credit-bearing summer internships. They worked in federal and state government, health care, a start-up business, and more. Meanwhile, our faculty crisscrossed the globe this summer, conducting research and giving talks.
As I write this, I am on my way home from Santiago, Chile, where I spent two weeks as a Fulbright specialist, helping the Universidad del Desarrollo develop a philosophy, politics, and economics undergraduate program. At a meeting last week with Vice Rector Ernesto Silva Mendéz, we agreed that the Jepson School curriculum serves as a model for general education requirements in a liberal arts setting.
In August, we welcomed our newest faculty member, Dr. Sam Director. A philosopher, he researches the ethics of informed consent, artificial intelligence, and public health policy. Dr. Director joins three other faculty philosophers who teach ethical leadership principles.
The school’s longstanding commitment to civic engagement remains strong. This was apparent at the University of Richmond Bonner Center for Civic Engagement’s September awards ceremony, which recognized three individuals and one nonprofit organization with ties to our school. Similarly, our Jepson Leadership Forum and McDowell Institute lecture series continue to engage the broader community in discussions about some of society’s most pressing issues. I invite you to join us in person or via livestream for these lectures.
I also invite you to join us on campus Nov. 1–2 for Spider Day and Homecoming. It is always a pleasure to see you! Indeed, the school would not be #LeadingTheWay were it not for the support of our alumni and friends. Please stay in touch, and enjoy reading all this news and more in this issue of the Jepson Update.
Best wishes,
Sandra J. Peart
Dean and E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professor in Leadership Studies
President, Jepson Scholars Foundation
Championing educational and economic opportunity
Ben Wallerstein promotes educational opportunity and economic mobility as co-founder and CEO of Whiteboard Advisors, a social impact consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. "Issues of racial and economic disparities in education have been front and center in my consciousness from a young age," the 1999 graduate said. Now he promotes public policy solutions to these disparities.
Justice for all
As a senior associate in the Washington, D.C., office of global law firm Hogan Lovells, Jessica Bigby, ’04, advises multinational and international clients during government investigations involving white-collar crime and fraud. She also gives back by offering pro bono representation to victims of domestic violence, asylum seekers, and defendants charged with misdemeanors.
Saving lives, one child at a time
Lindsay Flanagan, a pediatric nurse practitioner at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, fights to help her patients beat cancer and enjoy a normal childhood. “If I can do something to make a day a little better for my patients and their families, that is enough purpose for me,” the 2014 alum said.
Dean Sandra Peart named 2024 Fulbright specialist
Dean Sandra Peart was named a 2024 Fulbright specialist. In this capacity, she traveled to Santiago, Chile, this summer and fall to support the development of a philosophy, politics, and economics undergraduate program at the Universidad del Desarrollo.
Leadership around the world
More Jepson School professors are researching leadership in international contexts. In a rapidly globalizing world, this kind of research is increasingly relevant.
"E Pluribus Unum? The Divisions Testing American Democracy"
The 2024-25 Jepson Leadership Forum theme — "E Pluribus Unum? The Divisions Testing American Democracy" — could not be timelier. In this forum series, scholars and experts discuss the impact of polarization on justice, education, politics, culture, technology, and class. Join us in person or via livestream, or watch the video posted a few days after each presentation.
McDowell Institute public lecture series
The Gary L. McDowell Institute launched its annual public lecture series with Harvard professor Danielle Allen’s Sept. 12 presentation, "Justice by Means of Democracy." Next up are Wall Street Journal columnist Barton Swaim on "The Zero-Risk Society," Nov. 13, and University of Virginia professor Brad Wilcox on "Mammon or Marriage? How to Maximize Happiness in Life and Love," March 27. Join us in person, or watch the video posted a few days after each presentation.
Celebrate Spider Day and Homecoming, Nov. 1–2!
It’s time to celebrate! Join us on Friday, Nov. 1, for Spider Day, featuring a special lunch in D-Hall, followed by an alumni party under the lights that evening. Homecoming kicks off with a tailgate at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2. Cheer on the Spiders as they take on the Towson Tigers at 2 p.m. in Robins Stadium. Hope to see you there!
School Stories
August 29, 2024
Meet Dr. Sam Director
Read the Q&A with the Jepson School's new assistant professor of leadership studies.
September 18, 2024
Crafting policies for the common good
Internships and research enhance senior Jacob Ellis’ understanding of public policy.
August 27, 2024
Child's play a focus of medical internships
Two Science Leadership Scholars learned the benefit of child’s play during their summer internships at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
August 19, 2024
A capital internship on Capitol Hill
An internship in the office of a U.S. congresswoman gives senior a hands-on education in policymaking and governance.
July 25, 2024
Angel Cups put safety first
Three budding entrepreneurs develop a concept for a disposable cup that will detect date-rape drugs when they are added to a drink.
Resources
Contact Us
Jepson School of Leadership Studies
221 Richmond Way
University of Richmond, VA 23173
General Information:
Phone: (804) 289-8008
Fax: (804) 287-6062
Email: jepson@richmond.edu