Nora Ramos-Rojas ’17 CPS: A True Villanovan

Seeking a better life, then-25-year-old Nora Ramos-Rojas travelled with her mother from their native Colombia to the United States in 1973. Once here, Nora worked diligently to learn English and absorb the new culture. When she first stepped onto the Villanova campus in 1997, it was as an employee of the University.

Nora began working in Custodial Services, where she was assigned to Falvey Memorial Library and later to Burns Hall, the President’s home. Robert Morro, executive director for Facilities Management, describes Nora as having been highly dedicated to her work. According to Morro, she was “super conscientious” and always took great pride in doing an excellent job. As so many of her colleagues did, he enjoyed talking with her and valued her as an extremely hard-working employee.

For Nora, Villanova quickly became not just where she worked, but the community around which she built her life. In 1998, along with being an employee, she became a Villanova student at the College of Professional Studies (CPS). While continuing her full-time job at the University, through her hard work and pervasive spirit of intellectual curiosity, Nora ultimately completed her bachelor’s degree in 2017.

Along the way, she volunteered as a Spanish/English interpreter in the Clinic for Asylum, Refugee and Emigrant Services (CARES) and in the Farmworker Legal Aid Clinic (FLAC), both housed in the Charles Widger School of Law. Nora also took part in Campus Ministry outreach programs for Hispanic students, as a lector at Spanish language masses and as an organizer of the lively dinners held for the students. Through it all, Villanova became Nora’s family.

Michele Pistone, professor of law and director of CARES, fondly recalls Nora’s willingness to give back by volunteering as an interpreter. Because Nora herself was an immigrant, she was able to respond with a very special level of empathy for those she served in CARES, always so giving, grateful and happy to be able to help. For Professor Pistone, Nora represents the quintessential Villanova success story.

Nora made many friends during her time on campus, and they all describe her in the same way—kind, generous and boundless in her work for, and interest in, others. Angela Heinbach, former assistant director of Faculty Services at CPS, remembers Nora as constantly seeking to better herself and learn more. She was always open to hearing everyone’s Villanova story. Nora, whom Heinbach describes as “an amazing, intelligent woman,” would often stop by and talk about the simple things of life, bringing a bright spot to the workday.

Susan Leighton, assistant dean for Academic Programs, is also a 2016 graduate of CPS and took classes with Nora, whom she remembers as being very engaged with the course material, often remaining after class to ask questions. Nora exhibited great determination in absorbing the material, rising to meet the challenges of mastering the English language. She was so determined to succeed that, at her graduation, she was awarded the inaugural GRIT Award, for her commitment to her studies and tenacity in overcoming obstacles.

For Maryjo Sireci, assistant director of Student Support Services, and Tara Gallo, manager of College Operations, Nora represents precisely whom CPS was created to support.

After her graduation, Nora retired from her position at Villanova, but not from her community. Her ties to the University continued to be strengthened even after she no longer worked here. Ever interested in learning, Nora furthered her studies through the enrichment classes offered by Villanova. Even Christine Kelleher Palus, Ph.D., dean of the College of Professional Studies, came to know her when, following her graduation, she returned to CPS to meet the new dean. Nora simply had to forge a relationship with Dean Palus.

Following her passing in December 2020, Nora’s last gift to Villanova was made known when the University learned that it was the beneficiary of her estate. The bequest from the estate of Nora Ramos-Rojas will be used to strengthen two causes that were close to her heart: the College of Professional Studies and Campus Ministry outreach to Hispanic students. A scholarship named in memory of Nora will be awarded to a CPS student who, like her, persevered, overcame and succeeded in their quest to attain a Villanova education.

Through her thoughtful and generous estate plan, Nora will continue to give to her beloved Villanova. Her legacy lives to encourage and support generations of students to come.

If Nora’s passion ignites your own, consider how you too can include Villanova University in your estate plan. You can make an estate gift in your will, through retirement assets, real property, a trust, insurance or in many other ways. To discuss an estate gift, contact Tim McKinley at 215-240-0812 or timothy.mckinley@villanova.edu. What will your legacy be?