Marquette's Institute for Women's Leadership announces 2025 Transformational Leaders awards, will host annual gala April 10

April 8, 2025

MILWAUKEE - Marquette University's Institute for Women's Leadership will honor three community and campus leaders with its Transformational Leadership awards as part of the fourth annual IWL Gala on Thursday, April 10, at 5 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Union, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave.

The IWL Transformational Leadership awards and recipients are:

• IWL Transform Award, which recognizes a community leader: Joann Harris-Comodore, founder and CEO of Neu-Life Community Development

• IWL Inspire Award, which recognizes a member of the Marquette campus community: Dr. Melissa Shew, associate director of teaching excellence in the Center for Teaching and Learning

• IWL Engage Award, which recognizes a Marquette student: Maria G. Tijerina Ibarra, graduate student in Student Affairs in Higher Education

Biographical information on award winners follows.

Media wishing to attend the IWL Gala or speak with event organizers should contact Melissa Barclay, senior communication specialist, at melissa.barclay@marquette.edu.

The Institute for Women's Leadershipbuilds upon Marquette University's historic role as the first coeducational Catholic university in the world beginning in 1909. The mission of IWL is to advance women's leadership locally and globally through pioneering research, innovative programming, and collaborative engagement.

More information on award honorees

In 2000,Harris-Comodore established Neu-Life Community Development, an organization she established to provide Milwaukee's youth with safe spaces, education and workforce development opportunities. Over the past 25 years, Neu-Life has grown into a transformational force that empowers young people through the "voice and choice" philosophy, ensuring they have autonomy and confidence in shaping their futures.

Before founding Neu-Life, Joann had a 25-year career in health care and later became an entrepreneur, establishing multiple businesses that provided essential care services to seniors. She remains active in community advocacy, serving with Milwaukee North Avenue Marketplace BID 32, the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association and the Zonta Club of Milwaukee.

Born in Wisconsin, she holds degrees from Mount Mary College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

As associate director of teaching excellence, Shew is the faculty director of Marquette's Executive MBA program, teaching business ethics, corporate social responsibility and women's leadership. A 2023 recipient of Marquette's highest teaching award, Shew works to elevate the role of teaching across campus. She mentors faculty and leads initiatives to advance equity for non-tenure-track educators, securing research funding, professional development and recognition opportunities. Shew serves on key strategic committees at Marquette, including the Committee on Teaching and the IWL Faculty Advisory Council. Additionally, Shew is a member of TEMPO.

A prolific scholar, Shew has led collaborative research projects, including "Philosophy for Girls (2020), On the Vocation of the Educator in this Moment (with Dr. Jennifer Maney, 2021) and The Power of Intellectual Joy for Women at Work (2023)." Shew gave a TEDx Talk on Women and Intellectual Empowerment and continues exploring intellectual joy in education.

Tijerina Ibarrais a graduate student in student affairs in higher education at Marquette who amplifies marginalized voices, drives systemic change and cultivates inclusive spaces. She cofounded Wisconsin's first fellowship for undergraduate students without work authorization, launching a transformative mentorship and professional development program. After piloting the fellowship last year, she secured lasting institutional support - the program has since welcomed its next cohort of students.

Tijerina Ibarra serves on Marquette's Dreamers Support Committee and the Hispanic-Serving Institution Steering Committee, where she advocates for policy reforms and works to institutionalize resources for undocumented students. Through Marquette DREAMers, she has led UndocuAlly Week and other initiatives to strengthen campus-wide allyship and support. This fall, Tijerina Ibarra will begin her doctoral program in educational policy and leadership, continuing her mission to build a more inclusive, equitable higher education system.

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

About Melissa Barclay

Melissa is the senior communication specialist in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Melissa at (414) 288-6712 or melissa.barclay@marquette.edu.