Meet Saint Mary's College New Board of Trustees Members

NOTRE DAME, Ind. (September 4, 2019) — Saint Mary’s College, a Catholic, residential, liberal arts college in Notre Dame, Ind., names six new members to its 2019–20 Board of Trustees: Sister Vanessa Cruz Ferreira, CSC, Sister Taposi Gomes, CSC, Mary McEnery Harding '84, Jessy (Nga) Nguyen '20, Colleen Flynn Roohan '85 and Jill Tiefenthaler '87.

“Saint Mary’s College is privileged to have such an abundance of talented members joining the board from across the world. They each provide a unique perspective and we’re looking forward to working with them,” said board chair Gretchen A. Flicker '93. “Saint Mary’s College is thriving and continues to grow,” added Flicker. “We appreciate our dedicated board of trustee members as we embark on this important work to benefit our college, students, alumnae and communities.”

Details on the six new members of the Board of Trustees for Saint Mary’s College:

Sister Vanessa Cruz Ferreira, CSC, Sao Paulo, Brazil − A Saint Mary’s College board of trustee member for a three-year term, Sister Ferreira is a graduate of Catholic University of São Paulo with a degree in pedagogy education and the Instituto Singularidades with a degree in early childhood education.  She served and taught in Parana, Bahia and Peru. In the United States, Sister Ferreira worked as a volunteer translator in hospitals and as a community member at the International Novitiate.  In addition, Sister Ferreira served on the Social Investment Team, Area Planning Commission, and as a Fiscal Council member for the Sisters of the Holy Cross. She continues to serve, conduct hospital visits and teach.

Sister Taposi Gomes, CSC, Sisters of the Holy Cross, Dhaka, Bangladesh − Sister Taposi Gomes earned her education degree from Lalmatia Mohila College and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from National University and the University of Notre Dame.  She’s currently treasurer for the Holy Cross Planning Committee, as well as the assistant student director for Holy Cross College in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She has held positions as treasurer, director, and pastoral assistant throughout Bangladesh. Sister Taposi Gomes will serve on the Saint Mary’s College board for a three-year term.

Mary McEnery Harding '84, Granger, Indiana – A Saint Mary’s College graduate, Harding received her juris doctor from the University of Loyola Chicago and is a member of the State Bar of Illinois.  She is an Indiana resident and has served as the South Bend Saint Joseph High School board president and on the board for Clare Holdings.  Harding has volunteered at the Center for the Homeless, St. Vincent DePaul, Christ the King School, YMCA, Junior League of South Bend and Saint Mary’s College. She will serve on the board of trustees for a three-year term. A wife and mother of four, two of Harding’s children graduated from Notre Dame, one is a freshman at Notre Dame and one will graduate from Saint Mary’s College.

Jessy (Nga) Nguyen '20, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam − Nguyen is a current Saint Mary’s College international student majoring in environmental studies with a minor in psychology and is serving as the student-trustee for a one-year term. A Vietnam native, Nguyen is also a member of the Project S.H.E. (Spreading Hope through Education), Around the World Club, Intercultural Leadership Program, Not Nhac Xanh Charity-Travel Group, Vietnamese Student Association at the University of Notre Dame, and recently received the Mission Division Award for service.

Colleen Flynn Roohan '85, Altadena, California – Roohan graduated with a bachelor of science in nursing from Saint Mary’s College and earned her master’s degree in nursing from California State University, Long Beach. She is a practicing geriatric nurse practitioner consultant at Foothill Homecare Partners in Sierra Madre, California.  She currently holds positions with Saint Mary’s Nursing Advisory Committee, the Madeleva Society Steering Committee, and is a Trustee for the Catholic Education Foundation of Los Angeles, Christ Child Society, and with St. Phillip the Apostle.  She was recently awarded the Cardinal’s Award for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Roohan will serve on the board for a three-year term.  She is also a wife and mother of four.

Jill Tiefenthaler '87, Colorado Springs, Colorado – A Saint Mary’s College alumna who earned her master’s degree and PhD in economics from Duke University, Tiefenthaler currently serves as Colorado College’s president.  With previous positions as provost at Wake Forest University and professor of economics and associate dean at Colgate University, Dr. Tiefenthaler is also the chair of the Annapolis Presidents’ Group, treasurer for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, board member and chair for multiple organizations including the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, the Association of Governing Boards Council of Presidents, and member of the Colorado Women’s Forum.  She was also named research fellow for Carnegie Mellon Census Research Data Center and been honored with numerous awards including the Arts Business Education Consortium Community Support for Arts Education Award and The GMWA Colorado Springs Chapter “I Have a Dream Award.” Tiefenthaler will serve on the board of trustees for a three-year term. She is also a wife and mother of two.

About Saint Mary's College: Celebrating over 175 years of empowering women to make a difference in the world, Saint Mary’s College is recognized as a pioneer and continued force in the education of women. A Catholic, liberal arts institution in Notre Dame, Indiana, the College offers more than 50 undergraduate academic programs and also offers co-educational master’s degrees.