About

A Message from President Jessica M. Witcher

Welcome to the 2026–2027 year of the Tulane University Women’s Association!

It is an honor to serve as President of the Tulane University Women’s Association for the 2026–2027 year. I have been part of the Tulane community for more than 15 years and currently serve as Senior Biosafety Officer in the Office of Biosafety. I joined TUWA in 2021 hoping to meet people outside of my own department. What I discovered was a welcoming community that reminded me there is so much more to Tulane than the buildings where we work or the roles that we hold.

One of the things I love most about my position is that it allows me to work with people from every corner of the university. In any given week, I may collaborate with researchers, faculty, staff, students, and administrators across multiple campuses and disciplines. Although our work is very different, I am continually reminded that the strength of Tulane has always been its people. The relationships we build across departments, schools, and experiences are what make this university such a remarkable place to learn, work, and grow.

That is exactly what drew me to TUWA.

For more than a century, TUWA has created opportunities for people to connect beyond their day-to-day responsibilities. Our membership reflects the breadth of the Tulane community, bringing together faculty, staff, retirees, alumni, and Tulane affiliates. Each member contributes unique experiences and perspectives, making our organization stronger because of our diversity.

As we begin a new year together, my vision is centered on connection through community. I want TUWA to continue being a place where longtime friendships are strengthened, new members immediately feel welcome, and meaningful connections are made across campuses and disciplines. Whether someone is new to Tulane or has called it home for decades, I hope they will find a place to belong within our organization.

This year, we will continue to build upon TUWA’s proud traditions while exploring new opportunities to engage our members. We will focus on strengthening our community, expanding membership, developing partnerships across campus, and offering programs that encourage professional growth, personal enrichment, wellness, and service.

Our success depends on the incredible dedication of our Board of Directors, volunteers, and members. I am grateful for their willingness to give their time and talents, and I look forward to working alongside them to make this an exciting and memorable year.

I invite you to join us at an event, reconnect with familiar faces, introduce yourself to someone new, and discover all that TUWA has to offer. Together, we can continue building a community where everyone feels welcome, supported, and connected.

I look forward to meeting many of you throughout the year.

Warmly,

Jessica Witcher President, 2026–2027 Tulane University Women’s Association