Driven to Serve

Senior Director of Educational Effectiveness Dr. Lucia Nemeth also serves as president of the Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, allowing her to blend data-informed leadership in higher education with a lifelong commitment to global, faith-based philanthropy.

Before becoming a leader in higher education and fulfilling a legacy of faith-based philanthropy, Dr. Lucia Nemeth, senior director of educational effectiveness, spent a brief period in banking. “It was not a passion-driven choice,” she says.

But, with a father who was a wealth management banker at PNC, the choice was understandable. So, soon after graduating with a degree in English from Haverford College, she took a job at Wilmington Trust. The numbers and balance sheets, however, failed to stir her soul. 

Amid that brief foray into the financial world, she took a transformative trip to East Africa. Moved by the abject poverty and disease she witnessed in Kenya and Tanzania, she returned to Wilmington with a renewed sense of purpose — one that would lead her to education and service, and reshape not only her career but her calling.

A bicultural upbringing had already influenced Dr. Nemeth’s worldview in Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Her father and her mother, a Chilean-born dentist, cultivated in their three daughters a keen sense of curiosity and global awareness. Education, service, and achievement run deep in the family. Dr. Nemeth’s older sister is a dermatologist, and her younger sister is an attorney. 

“Being raised in a multicultural household had a tremendous impact,” Dr. Nemeth says. Frequent visits to Chile and learning conversational Spanish helped broaden her outlook from an early age. 

After graduating from Tower Hill School in Wilmington, she enrolled at Haverford, where she thrived in the small, close-knit community with Quaker values. “Haverford’s focus on ethical leadership, integrity, and respect for others really resonated with me,” she says. A semester abroad in Ireland further broadened her horizons. “I gained a global perspective and a deeper appreciation for how education can be a tool for empathy and change,” she says.

Today, Dr. Nemeth plays a key role in ensuring that Wilmington University continues to provide meaningful, measurable, and mission-driven outcomes for its students. She brings years of teaching experience to her work, spanning both the College of Business and the College of Arts & Sciences, as well as a passion for creating educational pathways that are both accessible and transformative.

Her connection to the University began in 2000, when she enrolled in the MBA program. She was encouraged by Wilmington Trust colleagues who had also chosen WilmU for its flexibility and its support of working professionals. “Having a group of colleagues going through the program with me made it even more rewarding,” she says. 

She completed her MBA in 2002, and soon after, with a newfound clarity and conviction, she began studying for a doctorate in education at the University.

“My experience in the MBA program was so positive that I knew WilmU was the right place to pursue my Ed.D.,” she says.

She received her doctorate in 2006. That same year, she married and relocated to Virginia for her husband’s military assignment. But her connection to WilmU remained strong: the University offered her a part-time, remote opportunity in its growing online department. “That flexibility was invaluable,” says Dr. Nemeth. “It also aligned perfectly with my growing interest in technology and online learning.”

Her passion for education extended to spending time tutoring and teaching students in English as a second language, which provided her with valuable insights into online teaching. “Teaching ESL students helped me realize that individuals learn in a variety of ways,” she says. “My experience forced me to think about different ways to present course material, and I became cognizant of how important it is to remain in constant communication with each student.”

In 2016, she became a full-time assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences. Crediting mentors “who nurtured my growth and challenged me to excel,” she says she loves working closely with students. 

“It reminds me of why this work matters — especially when I see students who return to school after a long break, juggling work, family, and school. Their determination is deeply inspiring.”

Dr. Nemeth’s current role enables her to bridge the gap between fac-ulty and administrative perspectives. “Having insight into both sides of the academic experience allows my team to support students holistically,” she says. 

From academics to data analysis and student outreach, her office ensures that at-risk students don’t fall through the cracks. Collaboration is key, and she thrives on it. “The chance to build strong partnerships across departments and focus on student persistence is incredibly meaningful to me,” she says.

Her belief in education as a vehicle for change extends well beyond the classroom, thanks mainly to her heritage. She is the great-granddaughter of John J. Raskob and Helena Green Raskob. In 1945, they founded the Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, a private, family-led organization dedicated to supporting Catholic missions worldwide. The Foundation has provided grants in over 100 countries, supporting education, health care, humanitarian relief, and various other initiatives.

“The Raskob Foundation is a living legacy rooted in faith, family, and service,” Dr. Nemeth says. “It’s not just about generosity; it’s about building lasting relation-ships based on trust and mutual respect.” 

All Raskob descendants are invited to become members of the Foundation when they reach 18, and she jumped at the opportunity. She has been committed to it ever since, and last year she was elected president of the Foundation. 

All Raskob family members who are involved in the Foundation contribute their time and expertise without compensation, reflecting their commitment to its mission and legacy.

“Being part of a family that has always prioritized stewardship and compassion has helped shape who I am,” she says. “This role allows me to walk alongside organizations that are doing deeply impactful work. We don’t just fund projects; we accompany people in their mission to serve.”

For Dr. Nemeth, service isn’t an obligation; it’s a way of life. “Participating in charitable work grounds me,” she says. “Whether through philanthropy or mentor-ship, I view service as an essential expression of who I am.”

Today, she balances her professional and charitable activities with a busy family life. Dr. Nemeth and her husband, Scott, a retired army major who served 26 years, have three children: a 17-year-old son and two daughters, ages 16 and 14. After Scott’s retirement, they settled in Southern Chester County to be closer to extended family.

Outside of work, Dr. Nemeth enjoys tennis and is learning pickleball, displaying a competitive spirit that also influences her approach to education. She believes that WilmU’s commitment to accessibility, flexibility, and real-world application gives graduates an advantage in their professional endeavors. 

“We meet students where they are, and that means understanding and accommodating the complex lives they lead,” she says. “WilmU truly empowers students and supports lifelong learning.”

— Bob Yearick