New Trustees Join Saint Mary’s College Board
Molly Kahn Allen ’01 earned a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Mary’s College, majoring in Humanistic Studies and Religious Studies with a minor in Business Administration. She earned a master’s degree in Education from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Illinois State University. Allen began her career teaching high school in Memphis through the ACE program, and later served as an assistant principal and as a principal. Since 2018, she has worked at the Regional Office of Education #17, becoming Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools in 2020. In May 2026, Allen was sworn in as the Regional Superintendent of Schools serving DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean counties in Illinois. She co-chairs the IARSS Professional Learning Committee and is a member of the Talent Alignment Steering Committee, Regional Planning Commission, and Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan. Allen is vice-chair of the Children's Discovery Museum Foundation Board, a member of the FIRE Foundation board, a member of the Corpus Christi Education Commission, and a 5th grade religious education teacher. A proud member of the Class of 2001, Allen co-chaired the Reunion Giving Campaign and has been a class reporter since graduation. She resides in Lexington, Illinois, with her husband and three children.
Rev. Mark L. Poorman, CSC, has served in several full-time leadership roles at Holy Cross institutions, including as both President and Executive Vice President at the University of Portland and as Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. He holds a PhD in Theology / Christian Ethics and a Master of Divinity, and has returned to the Department of Theology at Notre Dame as Associate Professor of Theology. During his administrative service he continued teaching undergraduate moral theology courses in character formation, virtue ethics, and applied Christian ethics in the areas of sexuality, Catholic healthcare, and justice issues. He has also served as Director of the Master of Divinity program for the Theology Department. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Father Poorman has been a member of numerous governing boards in Catholic higher education and healthcare institutions. As part of his pastoral service in the Congregation of Holy Cross, Father Poorman continues to minister in the residential mission of Holy Cross at Notre Dame. His academic interests lie in the intersection of moral theology and pastoral practice, with past publications in that theoretical area, as well as the mission of Catholic higher education, models for theological reflection in ministry education, and ethical issues in end-of-life care and decision-making.
Kathryn O'Connell ’27 is a senior at Saint Mary’s College. She is majoring in Political Science and Philosophy with a concentration in Law, Ethics and Politics, with minors in French and Film Studies. Originally from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, she has continued to share her dedication and love for Saint Mary's with incoming students as a Senior Student Ambassador for the Office of Admission. Pursuing her passions on campus, O'Connell is a section leader in the Belles Voix choir, an active member of Saint Mary's theatre, and a member of the Notre Dame Dance Company. Answering the call to serve others through faith, she is the current vice president of Fiat and serves as a liturgical minister. In addition, O'Connell is the president of the French Club, vice president of Pi Delta Phi, and tutors fellow students in the Writing and Tutoring Center.
Continuing to serve as Trustees at the College are: Maureen Karnatz Smith ’85 (Chair); Lorraine Sheehan Wilson ’85 (Vice Chair); Kathleen Murphy Villano ’79 (Secretary); Amy Shelly ’91 (Treasurer); Christina Calhoun Augustine ’96; Mollie Meehan Baumer ’90; Katie Conboy, Ph.D.; Sister Esther Entsiwah, CSC; Sister Vanessa Cruz Ferreira, CSC; Dr. Donald R. Fischer; Jessica Brinker Foster ’08; Gregg Gallant; Sister Taposi Gomes, CSC; Sister Judith Hallock ’65, CSC; Mary McEnery Harding ’84; David Jones; Susan Olney Latham ’91; Jacqueline Leskovec ’74; Theresa Sullivan Norton ’92; Tina M. Patton; Jennifer Mathile Prikkel ’95; Colleen Flynn Roohan ’85; Candace Novak Sabers ’96; Linda Schultz Salvi ’79; Christine Ashford Swanson; Kimmi Martin Troy ’00; Princess Mae Visconde ’18; Sister Sharlet Ann Wagner, CSC; Sister Veronique Wiedower ’70, CSC; and William Schmuhl, Jr., Trustee Emeritus. Five Trustees—Sister Verónica Fajardo, CSC; Father Stephen Katsouros, SJ; Michael Mathile; Jill Tiefenthaler ’87; and Angelina Stupak ’26 completed their service on the Board on May 31.
June 30, 2026