An advocate for engaged scholarship and the liberal arts, Mary Ward-Bucher brings nearly two decades of experience in academic administration, university teaching, and student advising. In her most recent roles, Mary helped manage and implement academic programming for the Dialogue Institute as well as the CLA Office of Community Engagement. Beyond her professional work, Mary has participated in leadership and service with a number of local and global community empowerment organizations including Neighborhood Gardens Trust, New Sanctuary Movement, and Mennonite Central Committee. She recently completed her Ph.D. at Temple University with a focus on religious history, migration, and human rights. Her dissertation, "Reconciling Liberation and Charity," examines Central American leadership in Philadelphia during the 1980s Sanctuary Movement.