University of New Haven Leaders Share What it Means to be Recognized as “Phenomenal Women”

What do you think it really means to be a “phenomenal woman?” Is it about one’s titles or achievements? Or is it mainly about the impact someone has on others, even when no one is watching? I strongly believe that it’s the second statement.

Women continuously play a powerful role in shaping our communities and uplifting those around them, especially in ways that tends to go unnoticed. So, I strongly believe that’s why events like the Phenomenal Women Celebration during Women’s History Month matter so much. It gives us the opportunity to stop, reflect, and ask ourselves: Who are the women making an impact in our lives, and are we doing enough to recognize them?

I attended the Phenomenal Women Celebration on campus put on by the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA), and it was an extremely inspiring event to attend. When I walked into the room, I immediately felt supportive, genuine, and empowering energy. The event honored a large number of students, faculty, and staff members who have had a meaningful impact on the University community. Names such as Tagliatela College of Engineering Associate Dean Stephanie Gillespie, Ph.D.; Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Ophelie Rowe-Allen, Ed.D.,; Computer Science Professor Alice Fisher, Ph.D., and Adjunct Professor of Modern Languages Jessica DeVos were presented, making me realize how many people are working behind the scenes to make our campus a great place.

For me, one of the most meaningful parts of this experience was having the chance to speak directly with some of the awardees. Their responses weren’t just inspiring; they were honest and reflective. Here are their responses to some of the questions that I asked them:

Dr. Gillespie
“I think it's really exciting to be recognized because a lot of times we are doing not just our jobs, but a lot of the extra work that goes into supporting students, to supporting faculty, to supporting staff, and having those non-job components be recognized is really meaningful.”

Dr. Rowe-Allen
“It is women's history month. So, I do appreciate it when others can recognize others for the work that they have done. And for women, most of the times, we do not recognize each other. It is very good to see that for this event, that USGA has been putting on for some time now, that it is not just students, but it’s also faculty and staff that are being recognized for the work that we have done on this campus or have been doing on this campus.”

Professor DeVos
“For me, the past few years have been difficult, considering what’s going on in this country and abroad, and so knowing that at least I was able to bring some light, a little bit of light to someone’s day, it really means a lot.”

Dr. Gillespie
“I remember graduating as the only female electrical engineering student from my undergraduate institution. I think at this point, we tend to have more females graduating in my area, but there’s also women who still don’t feel like they belong or feel connected to our discipline and to our professions. So, by serving as a role model, I really believe that I’m making a difference in taking on those tough days, which means I’ll be there for someone else to see that they can overcome the challenges.”

Dr. Rowe-Allen
“In life, we are always going to have difficult times, but we must think about our own resilience and what is it that we want out of life. You always have a north star. You probably will never get to touch that north star, but we know that we can see it every day, and that is what, for myself, helps me to push forward. Also, the values and beliefs that I have when it comes to higher education and what we want for our students – we want to make sure that they are known; they feel a sense of belonging. We want them to be challenged, and we want them to be good citizens. We want them to thrive. That pushes me every day because I did not have that when I was in college – someone behind me and pushing me and caring about me, saying, ‘Here is what I want for you,’ outside of my professors.”

Professor DeVos
“My philosophy is: that’s the only choice we have. I believe in something called feminist existentialism, which is when we can’t control the outcomes of our actions. I can’t control so many things, but this is my time. And I get to choose today what I do.”

She also shared a reference to The Lord of the Rings, describing a moment where a character feels overwhelmed and wishes none of the hardship had happened. She explained the message behind it stating: “It’s not for us to decide; all we get to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”

Dr. Gillespie
“I think it's important to recognize that nothing is ever going to go smoothly. There will always be a challenge at some point in your life, where you feel like you’re being forced to pivot. And depending on what’s happening in your life, sometimes a pivot can be important and meaningful. Other times, persevering through can be meaningful. Getting feedback from people who you admire, people who you respect, and people who sometimes push you can help you figure out if is it time to persevere or is it time to pivot?”

Dr. Rowe-Allen
“Be brave. Take risks, knowing that you will always have someone in your corner, and what I mean by that is to look for mentors. Look for sponsors, but don’t just have one mentor. Have people you know are going to believe in you and push you. And listen.”

Professor DeVos
“You are where you’re supposed to be; you are who you’re supposed to be. It’s great if you have dreams, and you can chase them, but you don’t need to be anything other than who you are. Where you are makes a difference in this world. Just know that you are more than enough.”

Hearing these responses made me reflect on so many things, such as how often we doubt ourselves and how much we forget that growth doesn’t always look perfect. I felt inspired and grateful. The Phenomenal Women Celebration wasn’t just about recognizing accomplishments, it was also about creating a space where stories and successes could be shared.

So, the main question is, with all this information, how will we take what we’ve learned and apply it to our own lives? Being “phenomenal” isn’t about perfection but about showing up and encouraging others along the way.

Happy Women’s History Month! Thank you to all women.