September 7, 2013
Opportunities mean everything to Joan Vivian.
As Director of Employee Training and Development at St. John's University, she is responsible for designing and implementing management and professional development opportunities for St. John's employees. Utilizing a wide range of seminars, interactive gatherings and in-house training sessions, she and her colleagues are committed to offering programs that allow St. John's personnel to maximize their greatest potential, ultimately benefitting both themselves and the University.
Vivian joined the St. John's family 12 years ago, and quickly became aware of the University's mission of reaching out to those in need. She has always been impressed by the many students who would not be at St. John's without the resources provided by the University's generous donors.
"I love our students," she said. "They are motivated, grateful to be here, and they never have a sense of being entitled. I have learned so much from our students and have grown a lot personally because of them."
Although not an alumna, Vivian is happy to support St. John's through her membership in The McCallen Society, a recognition group for donors who have included the University in their estate plans. She acknowledges that her time at St. John's has left a lasting impact on her, both personally and professionally, particularly through her participation in the Vincentian Mission Certificate Program, a 16-month initiative that encourages University employees to become role models who will perpetuate St. Vincent's legacy by inspiring others to action.
She wants to ensure that others will be able to experience a similar transformation in the future.
"Working at St. John's has been a life-changing experience for me," she noted. "I do service on my own regularly, and I never would have done that if it hadn't been for St. John's. That's really what I want to preserve as a member of The McCallen Society. I want to be certain that we can continue to offer students who wouldn't ordinarily have this type of opportunity the chance to be able to take advantage of all that St. John's has to offer. And what we have to offer is so much more than just a good education. Everything about St. John's is caring and loving, and we teach our students to carry those values for the rest of their lives. Being a part of The McCallen Society is a way for me to make an investment in the future while being a part of the present."
Learn How You Can Help
If you would like information on how you can include a gift to St. John's in your estate plans, contact Susan Damiani at (718) 990-7562 or [email protected], at no obligation.