Alverno College Announces 2026 Faculty Promotions and Retirements

It is with great pride that Alverno College announces the recent promotions of our esteemed faculty.

Leslie Henry ’93, MM, MT-BC, has been promoted to professor of music therapy. She earned her Master of Music with an emphasis in music therapy from Colorado State University and has taught at Alverno since 2011.

Malena Taylor, PhD, has been promoted to associate professor of community psychology. She earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fielding Graduate University and has taught at Alverno since 2022.

Jessica Willenbrink, PhD, has been promoted to associate professor of school psychology. She earned her Ph.D. in educational psychology, with a specialization in school psychology, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and has taught at Alverno since 2021.

Justin LaManna, PhD, is retiring and has been recognized by his peers for the status of professor emeritus of biology.

About Alverno College

Based in Milwaukee, Wis., Alverno College is a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college for women. Founded in 1887 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, Alverno promotes the academic, personal and professional development of its students in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Certificate programs, digital badges, degree completion programs and graduate programs are open to all genders. A leader in higher education innovation, Alverno has earned international accolades for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, which emphasizes hands-on experience and develops in-demand skills. The college, Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, ranks among the top schools in the Midwest for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and innovation by U.S. News & World Report.