Vonya Womack, has spent the last seven years teaching at Cabrini. She teaches an array of classes including upper-level marketing classes, ECG courses focused on leadership and human rights, and college success seminars. On top of her full teaching schedule she is also the Program Coordinator for Marketing in the Business Department and the Co-Director for Cabrini’s new Center for Global Learning.
Recently, Womack presented at the International Leadership Global Conference for Leadership in Turbulent Times in Brussels, Belgium on “The Dynamic Resolve Model” which considers the impact of mutual and shared approaches of influence within groups based on the fundamental need to be social. The model provides a new tool for academic and training programs that specialize in interpersonal complexities and stems from her previous studies around leadership and followership in conflict zones.
What is your favorite item in your office and why?
If I had to pick a favorite item, I would say it is a picture of a rose from Lithuania that I have on my desk. Why? It brings all the items in my office from Libya, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Costa Rica, Lithuania, Russia, Guatemala, Tanzania, Haiti and others all together as one. It is a reminder that nature, no matter where in the world, connects us to one earth.
What is your favorite quote and why?
My favorite quote is a Dari Proverb “Qatra qatra darya maisha.” The meaning of this proverb is that drop by drop a river is made. It reminds us that if everyone contributes even a little then combined we can have an impact. I often think of this when I take students on cross-cultural experiences. I watch as they start to recognize they can make a difference in the world even if it is just a “drop.”
Do you have any hidden talents or interests? If so, what are they?
I can speak a little Arabic, Hebrew, French, Spanish and Swahili. I also like to take pictures of farms and old farm equipment and played violin through college … probably not so good anymore.
Where is your favorite place in the world?
The Sea of Galilee.
Which do you do more often - binge watch a TV series or have a movie marathon?
Definitely binge watch a TV series like Reign, The Borgias, or Game of Thrones.
What are two things still left on your bucket list?
My bucket list items include:
- To go back to the untouched ruins in Cyrene, Libya, to learn more about the disciple Simon with my Libyan friend Iman, an anthropologist and an archeologist
- To spend time with an indigenous culture on all seven continents; So far I have covered Asia, Africa, North America, and Europe but have to check off South America, Antarctica and Australia
- To hike the Camino De Santiago with my family even if they complain the whole way. Oops that’s three, but I have about 100 more still to accomplish!