Bryn Athyn College Alumni Magazine Fall/Winter 2017-18 | Page 25

running header
departments and creating more
efficient processes and work envi-
ronments in her area.
With such a successful work
history and a pleasant and thriv-
ing career at Widener, Roberta
was not necessarily looking for
something new. When the oppor-
tunity at Bryn Athyn College came
to her via LinkedIn, a professional
networking site, she began to look
into the College and learn more
about it. As she researched, she
asked herself, “Why would I leave
Widener and go to BAC?” Roberta
says she found the answer on our
website. She remembers these
words: “It’s not about you; it’s
about what you can bring.” She
loved the call to “make an impact,
identify your passions, and make
a difference.” There was some-
thing in the College’s mission and
statements of intent that rang
true for her and struck a chord
with her own educational and life
experience.
The inspiration Roberta felt
from the College’s website was
enough to get her on campus for
an interview, and once she was on
site, she describes feeling a sense of
peace about the place, so that dur-
ing the interview she felt relaxed
and like she fit here. She says, “I
could sense the sincerity and
kindness of the people I was meet-
ing and I wanted to be in this type
of environment.” As the hours
passed, she felt more and more
that she could really be fulfilled at
BAC and enact her passion to help
others on their educational jour-
ney. Roberta says, “I was confident
that as director of admissions I
could sincerely communicate that
this is a good product, and that I
am proud of it. That, among other
things, made working here a great
match.”
When asked what has sur-
prised her about the College since
working here for almost two years,
her answer was, “Not a lot—be-
cause of the consistency. There is a
constant kindness, joy, and peace
on campus that is authentic and
you can feel it from the first mo-
ment. You know what you’re get-
ting from the start, and it doesn’t
waiver.” Roberta’s understand-
ing of these intangibles and the
support of the College mission
make her a wonderful leader for
admissions and enrollment man-
agement. Having attended and
worked at faith-based schools, the
concept of religion and spiritual-
ity as core elements to education
is familiar. She says, “I like the
strong commitment to mission,
and I admire that it hasn’t been
abandoned.” Roberta attends cha-
pel every week and describes it as
“a coffee break for your soul.” She
says, “It’s settling, and a wonder-
ful meditation for your day.” Go-
ing to chapel is just one of the
things she does to stay connected
with the mission, her colleagues,
and the student body.
Roberta makes every effort
to be present and participate in
campus activities and events.
She has also created the LIONS
team, which stands for “Linking
In On New Students.” It origi-
nally served as a forum for rep-
resentatives across campus to
bridge gaps, solve problems, and
drive progress for improving the
new student experience, but has
quickly evolved to include the
needs and goals for the continu-
ing students’ experience. Having
formed similar groups in her past
institutions, Roberta correctly as-
sessed the need for this at BAC
and promptly got to work on it
within her first year here.
Roberta with her family.
Education is important to Roberta and
her family.
Daughter Colleen Nolan Murphy: Bachelor’s
from LaSalle; Master in education from
University of Pennsylvania; D.Ed. from
University of Virginia. Licensed psychologist
at Woods Services.
Colleen's husband Joseph Murphy: Ph.D.
in physiology from University of Virginia;
J.D. George Washington University. Works
as an attorney specializing in intellectual
properties.
Son Francis X., Jr.: Bachelor’s in
communication from LaSalle University;
Bachelor’s in architecture from Drexel.
Licensed architect, specializing in
skyscrapers. Works in New York City.
His wife, Elissa: Bachelor’s in
communications from LaSalle University;
Master’s from University of Pennsylvania;
Public relations with Blue Cross.
Son Sean: Bachelor’s in electrical
engineering from MIT; Master’s from Johns
Hopkins University. Works for the CIA.
Daughter Bridget: Bachelor’s in psychology
from Princeton University; Master’s in
education and in sociology from University
of Pennsylvania; Ph.D. in sociology from
University of Pennsylvania. Taught at
University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr
College. Currently doing post-doctoral
work at University of Texas at El Paso at the
National Security Studies Institute.
B RY N AT H Y N A LU M N I M AG A Z I N E
| 25