Women’s Leadership Colloquium Coffee Talk, April 8
Mark your calendar for the Women’s Leadership Colloquium April’s Coffee Talk on Tuesday, April 8!
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
718 Venue (718 Caroline Street)
Topic TBD
Register for the April Coffee Talk
Khatib Program Lecture, April 9

The Khatib Program Lecture Series continues on Wednesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. in Combs 237 with the topic, Islamophobia: What We All Should Know (and Do) about Anti-Muslim Discrimination
The Khatib Program Lecture Series continues on Wednesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. in Combs 237 with the topic, Islamophobia: What We All Should Know (and Do) about Anti-Muslim Discrimination. In this presentation, Duffner, a leading scholar of Muslim-Christian relations with a Ph.D. in theological and religious studies, will speak about the nature of Islamophobia and its impact on Muslim communities and individuals. She’ll also touch on the current geopolitical climate, including the recent surge in violence in the Israeli-Palestinian region, offering practical steps for interfaith solidarity and advocacy.
Mary Washington’s Khatib Program is dedicated to countering religious intolerance by promoting scholarly engagement with religious traditions. Inspired by the personal experiences of Reza Khatib and his late wife, Georgianna, it reinforces their commitment to fostering interreligious dialogue.
“The Khatib Program is pleased to bring to Mary Washington such distinguished speakers for our lecture series,” Mathews said. “It’s important to understand religious hatred and why we should work against it.”
For more information on UMW’s Khatib Program or the spring lecture series, visit the Khatib Program in Religion and Dialogue webpage or contact Professor of Religious Studies Mary Beth Mathews at mmathews@umw.edu.
Research & Creativity Symposium, April 25
Stull Appointed Director of the Arts
UMW is pleased to announce that Professor of Theatre and Chair of Theatre and Dance Greg Stull has been appointed to the position of Director of the Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences. This appointment is an important step forward in reorganization efforts to help strengthen the support of UMW programs in the arts.
After earning his BA at Mary Washington College, and an MA in Theatre at the University of Maryland, College Park, Stull joined the faculty at MWC in the fall of 1993. He was promoted to the rank of professor in 2005 and has served as the chair of the department of Theatre and Dance for over 30 years.
An accomplished theatre professional, Stull has consulted with arts organizations throughout the country in the areas of capacity building, audience engagement, and advancement. He directed over 60 productions for the Mary Washington theatre program. His work has touched the lives of thousands of students through his directing, practicum supervision, sponsored research projects, and his biennial week-long trip to New York City where he immerses his students in Broadway and off-Broadway theatre while connecting them with UMW alumni working in the industry.
Stull’s dedicated service to the theatre industry, the University, and to faculty and students earned him the Grellet C. Simpson Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in 2010, and the first ever William B. Anderson Distinguished Professor appointment in 2023.
In his new leadership role as Director of the Arts, Stull will oversee the programs in studio art, music, theatre, and historic preservation. His leadership will be utilized through the final planning stages and construction of the new theater and the renovation of Pollard, Melchers, and duPont Halls. In addition, the director will play a critical role in our campaign efforts over the next several years and will collaborate with Dean Mellinger and many offices on campus to continue to support, strengthen, and grow the presence of the arts at UMW. Stull will officially take his position in summer 2025.
Taggert Announced as Executive Director of Budget & Financial Analysis
UMW is pleased to announce that Pamela Taggert has been named the Executive Director of Budget & Financial Analysis at the University of Mary Washington.
Taggert has dedicated the past 20 years of her career to supporting the mission of Mary Washington, most recently as Assistant Director of Budget & Financial Analysis. Her deep institutional knowledge, dedication to problem solving and desire to learn and adapt made her the best choice to serve Mary Washington in this key role. Taggert will be responsible for the University budget office which develops, implements and monitors the University’s operating budget as well as provides key financial analysis to University leadership to inform decisions.
Taggert holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from UMW and is completing a graduate certificate in Public Administration from Old Dominion University.
Please join the search committee in congratulating Pam Taggert on this role, as they look forward to working with her and her team to continue to evolve how the University operates. Taggert along with the staff in the Budget Office will effectively serve our campus as trusted partners and support UMW’s mission to provide a superior education to our students.
Nominations Now Open for University Staff Council
University Staff Council Nominations Open for 2025-2026!
The University Staff Council (USC) is now accepting nominations for three University committees: the University Staff Council, the University Budget Advisory Committee, and the James Farmer Multicultural Center Advisory Committee. We are on a mission to ensure our representation reflects every corner of the UMW community. Nominate a deserving colleague or yourself today!
University Staff Council
This year, we have the following openings:
- One (1) AP/Faculty position
- Six (6) Classified positions
- One (1) Wage position
The USC is your voice! We advocate for staff concerns, collaborate with faculty and administration to tackle issues, and build a vibrant community. Nominations are welcome from all UMW faculty and staff across campus and affiliated organizations.
University Budget Advisory Committee
Represent UMW Staff on this UMW Faculty Council committee:
- One (1) opening for a one-year term for a non-Finance staff member.
The UBAC works closely with campus leadership on both short and long-term University budget priorities. These priorities are reviewed, summarized, and presented annually to the UMW President.
James Farmer Multicultural Center Advisory Committee
Be a part of this Faculty Council committee:
- One (1) opening for a one-year term.
The committee collaborates with the director and staff of the JFMC to plan and set priorities, enhance opportunities for multicultural learning through student programming, and develop leadership opportunities for all students.
For more information, visit the USC’s website. If you have any questions about the process, email us at usc@umw.edu. Nominations will be accepted through March 17, 2025. To nominate yourself or someone else for the USC, UBAC, or JFMCAC, complete the Nominee Form, visit the USC Nominations Page, or paste the URL listed below into your internet browser: https://umw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5hH97CQUFalyFn0
All nominees will be contacted to accept their nomination prior to the election.
Thank you for your enthusiastic participation!
USC Elections Committee
P.S. I Love U(MW) Social Media Series
In each short, heartfelt episode, we ask: What do you love about what you do? Their answers highlight the joy of being in education, the deep connections they build with students, and the unforgettable moments that make UMW special.
Watch the latest episodes here:
Belmont to Host “The Rappahannock Fall Line: An Intersection”
Sunday, March 30, 2025, 1-4 p.m.
Update: The symposium is now FULL, except for UMW students, but a waitlist has been started in case seats open up.
This is a free, public symposium that explores the ecological, historical, and cultural significance of the Rappahannock River Fall Line, by examining its role in shaping both the region’s natural environment and human history.
More Information and Registration
For further information or to inquire about non-profit tabling opportunities, please contact Gari Melchers Home & Studio’s Education Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby at mdolby@umw.edu.
Open Education Week 2025
Open Ed Week 2025
Here are some things you can do to make research and learning more open and affordable, and to improve scholarly communications.
Publish your article Open Access:
Utilize the open access agreements from VIVA, Virginia’s Academic Library Consortium, to publish in reputable journals without any article processing charges (APCs). Visit the VIVA website for more details: https://vivalib.org/va/collections/openaccess.
VIVA Open Grants:
Are you interested in adopting an OER textbook or creating one of your own? Well, VIVA offers three grant opportunities (Adopt, Course, and Open Publishing) to help instructors use open educational resources (OER). These grants fund the adoption, adaptation, and creation of free or low-cost materials for students.
Grant details, application deadlines, and program information are available at: https://vivalib.org/va/open/grants.
Manage your professional identity:
ORCID ID is a free, unique identifier for researchers that solves the problem of name ambiguity and institutional changes. It ensures accurate attribution of research and is increasingly required by publishers and grant agencies in order to make processes more efficient.
How to Get Started with ORCID:
- Sign up at ORCID – https://orcid.org/register
- Fill in your academic background, affiliations, and publications.
- Use your ORCID ID in your email signature, CV, and author profiles.
For more information, contact Paul Boger, Head of Reference and Scholarly Communications, at research@umw.edu or 540-654-1748.
Thanks!
Amy Filiatreau (hear my name)
University Librarian
Simpson Library
University of Mary Washington
540-654-1752
afiliatr@umw.edu




