Four students were among 14 Neumann participants who made presentations at the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities Symposium, held June 4-7 at Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI.
A highlight was the story told by three undergraduate students who serve on the 60th Anniversary Committee—Nadirah Roberts, Emma Schneider, and Quron White. Alongside Mary Domes, who co-chairs the committee, and Dean of Students Sarah Williamson, they shared their experiences in developing key components of the anniversary kickoff celebration in March at which volunteers packed 30,000 meals for Kids Against Hunger.
Roberts and Syncere Ross co-presented with Williamson in a separate session tied to the dean’s research on supporting faith development in college students. Their testimonials, drawn from their leadership roles in Residence Life, offered student-centered perspectives on how faith and leadership intersect in their Neumann experience. Roberts was a lead RA last year, and Ross is a current graduate hall director.
“When students are given the opportunity to represent their university on a national stage, they not only grow as leaders—they return with a deeper sense of purpose and pride in their Neumann journey,” says Williamson. “These experiences are what make our mission come alive. This kind of student engagement is a testament to Neumann’s student-centered approach, which continues to set us apart as a uniquely nurturing and mission-driven institution.”
Neumann faculty and staff contributed to several other sessions, further showcasing the university’s commitment to academic excellence, Franciscan values, and holistic student development. Below is a list of Neumann presentations.
Twenty-two colleges across 11 states are members of the AFCU.