Mary Cummings, Waynesburg University’s Senior Vice President for Graduate Programs, has been selected as a recipient of the Pittsburgh Business Times 2018 Women of Influence Awards.
“Mrs. Cummings’ hardworking and entrepreneurial spirit has led to more than just professional success; it has also made a significant impact on future leaders and our region,” said Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee.
Cummings was honored during an awards event Wednesday, March 14, at the Westin Convention Center.
Recognizing the region's most influential business women at both for-profits and nonprofits, the Awards honor women from every industry and profession who have made a difference in their communities, blazed a trail for other women and are leaving a mark on the western Pennsylvania business community, according to the Pittsburgh Business Times’ website.
In her current role, Cummings leads Waynesburg University’s charge to develop innovative learning opportunities for graduate students in the region. Previously, she worked to bridge academics and community outreach by developing initiatives to connect skilled student volunteers with nonprofits as the University’s Vice President for Student Services.
Cummings also worked at Carnegie Mellon University’s Carnegie Bosch Institute, where she developed and facilitated executive education leadership programs for international executives.
Cummings has served as an adjunct professor in Waynesburg University’s Graduate and Professional Studies programs since 2009, teaching Marketing, Organizational Behavior and International Business.
Prior to her higher education career, Cummings served as an international business executive in various capacities for more than 20 years. Her significant accomplishments include serving international start-up organizations and leading operational improvements and customer service in Mexico City, Mexico; Prague, Czech Republic; Athens, Greece; Bratislava, Slovakia; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Rome, Italy.
Cummings is extensively involved in the American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery Program, which matches breast cancer survivors to people living with breast cancer, providing patients who need support with understanding and hope. She also serves on the boards for the Catholic Endowment for Educational Development, The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania, Ten Thousand Villages and Leadership Washington County.
Cummings received a Bachelor of Arts in communication from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh. She is also a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh.
Cummings and her husband, Mike, have a 17-year-old son, Aidan.
Founded in 1849 by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Waynesburg University is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, with three additional sites located in the Pittsburgh region. The University is one of only 22 Bonner Scholar schools in the country, offering local, regional and international opportunities to touch the lives of others through service.
