Episode 19: Dr. Michele Marcolongo - Purpose, Persistence, and Performance in STEM Leadership

In this episode of Lead Change, Dr. Michele Marcolongo joins host Mary K. Mulcahey for a powerful conversation about leadership, innovation, mentorship, and purpose-driven work in academia and engineering. Dr. Marcolongo shares her personal journey from aerospace engineering to biomaterials research following the loss of her mother to cancer, a transformative experience that inspired her to dedicate her career to developing medical technologies that improve patient care.The discussion explores her leadership philosophy as Dean of Engineering at Villanova University, including servant leadership, strategic vision-setting, mentorship, and creating a culture of respect and collaboration. Dr. Marcolongo also highlights groundbreaking initiatives at Villanova, including sustainable engineering integration, new biomedical engineering programs, and the innovative Sports and Performance Engineering master’s program.Throughout the episode, she reflects on lessons learned from influential leaders, the importance of humility, balanced with confidence, and how thoughtful leadership can drive meaningful institutional and societal change.Key TakeawaysLeadership is most effective when grounded in service, humility, and support for others.Transformative personal experiences can shape career purpose and long-term impact.Great leaders create environments where faculty, students, and teams can thrive.Strategic thinking and long-term vision are essential for meaningful organizational growth.Mentorship and sponsorship play critical roles in career development.Recognition and gratitude, even through small gestures like handwritten notes, can have lasting impact.Successful change management requires listening, collaboration, and stakeholder buy-in.Engineering and medicine are increasingly interconnected through innovation and technology.Sustainable engineering principles should be embedded into all areas of education and design.Leadership development programs like ELATES and ELAM help prepare future academic leaders for complex challenges.High-performing teams depend on trust, delegation, and shared vision.Innovation often requires balancing day-to-day responsibilities with focused strategic priorities.The most memorable research moments come from persistence and years of incremental work.“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.” — a reminder to take action and move forward now.