Campus Directory
Joanna Nemeh
| Title: | Exec. Dir. of Acad. Stu Suppor |
| Office: | Warde Academic Center |
| Phone: | 773-298-3763 |
| Email: | nemeh@sxu.edu |
| Department: | CNTR Learning & Stud. Support |
Biography
I received my B.A. in Philosophy from Saint Xavier University and my M.A. and Ph.D. in Jewish Studies from the University of Chicago. Throughout my career, I have worked closely with dedicated faculty and staff to understand and respond to the strengths and evolving needs of our University's diverse student community. That shared commitment led to the formation of the Center for Learning and Student Support (CLASS), where I serve as executive director.
In this role, I lead campuswide academic and student support initiatives, including oversight of academic alerts, early warning systems, and probation processes. I design and teach academic recovery courses, develop innovative curriculum for student success programming including our summer bridge initiative, and coordinate collaborative efforts that strengthen student retention, persistence, and academic engagement.
As an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution), SXU plays a vital role in supporting historically underserved, first-generation, and multilingual students. My work in CLASS is deeply rooted in this purpose, empowering students through evidence-based academic support, fostering strong writing and critical thinking skills, and creating equitable pathways for all learners as they begin, continue, or return to their college journeys.
In addition to overseeing CLASS, I also teach in the Philosophy and Religious Studies program. Please feel welcome to visit me or our center for more information.
Education
Ph.D. in Jewish Studies
University of Chicago
M.A. in Divinity
University of Chicago
Areas of Specialization
- Academic recovery instruction and student intervention
- Curriculum development for academic support programs
- Design and implementation of summer bridge initiatives
- Oversight of academic alerts, early-warning systems, and probation/dismissal processes
- Development of individualized academic improvement strategies
- Program assessment and data-driven decision-making
- Student retention and persistence strategies
- Leadership of academic and student support services
- Cross-campus collaboration with faculty and student-support units
- Coordination of campuswide student success efforts
- First-year student engagement programming
- Support for academically at-risk and high-need student populations
- Feminist Philosophy/Theology
- Gender Studies
- Judaica
Courses Taught
- ACSU 130: Student Success Academy
- ACSU 200: SOAR (Rebound) Workshop
- ENGL 232: Intro to Women's Studies
- FYS 175: Gender and Judaism
- HONOR 175: Gender and the Bible
- HONOR 320: Interdisciplinary Seminar
- PHIL 140/150: Examined Life
- PHIL 255: Feminist Philosophy
- PHIL 274: Existential Philosophy
- PHIL 285: Philosophy of Human Nature
- PHIL 378: Studies in Contemporary Philosophy (directed research)
- RELST 247: Jewish Tradition
- RELST 299: Issues in Religion
- RELST 363: Theologians and Movements
- WMSTU 360: Special Topics in Women's Studies
Selected Honors and Presentations
- Transforming the First-Year Experience: A Comprehensive Student Success Framework -- Presenter, Gardner Institute's Symposium on Transforming the Postsecondary Experience, November 2, 2025
- Saint Xavier University, Student Success Division:
- Student Success Champion, 2025
- Impact Award, 2023 and 2024
- Excellence in Collaboration, 2022
- Service Excellence Award, 2018-2019
- Excellence in Teaching Award, Saint Xavier University, 2018