Meet the staff of Saint Louis University's Honors Program.
SLU Honors Program Staff
Robert Pampel, Ph.D.
Director
robert.pampel@slu.edu
314-977-9301
Robert's duties include managing the program's strategic development, which includes
collaborating with faculty across the university to deliver distinctive honors experiences
for academically talented and intellectually curious students. He represents the Honors
Program on various campus committees and serves as the faculty associate for the Honors
Learning Community. Robert has been a member of the Honors Program staff since 2014,
serving first as the assistant director. He was appointed director in 2018.
Other duties include managing alumni relations and working with the enrollment management
division to recruit students to the Honors Program. He also oversees SLU's advising
efforts for prestigious national awards (e.g., Fulbright, Marshall, Rhodes, Truman).
For assistance with applying for competitive fellowships and scholarship (e.g., Fulbright,
Mitchell, Marshall, Rhodes, Truman, etc.), contact fellowships@slu.edu.
He is also an alumnus of the Orr Fellowship, a postgraduate fellowship that places high-achieving graduates of Indiana colleges and universities with high-growth entrepreneurial ventures in the state. Robert earned his B.A. in English literature from Valparaiso University, where he also studied in the Honors College (Christ College). He earned his Master's in International Relations from Webster University and his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Saint Louis University, where his research focused on the intersection of Ignatian pedagogy and honors education. He has published on the distinctive qualities of Jesuit honors programs, the relationship between honors education and vocational discernment, and international initiatives in higher education. He currently serves on the national research committee and the publications board of the National Collegiate Honors Council.
Louise Edwards Neiman, M.A.
Assistant Director
louise.e.neiman@slu.edu
314-977-2154
Louise manages operational aspects of the program, including programmatic data, student records and experiential learning opportunities. Louise joined the Honors Program staff in 2018 after serving as an academic advisor in the Doisy College of Health Sciences at SLU. She holds a B.A. in Theatre and English from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in Drama from Washington University in St. Louis.
Valerie Shor M.B.A.
Program Manager
valerie.shor@slu.edu
Valerie’s responsibilities include advising honors students, supporting the Presidential Scholars Society, and other Honors-Program-related activities involving career discernment. Valerie joined the Honors Program staff in 2023 after serving as an academic advisor in the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business at SLU. Valerie holds a B.S. in Finance and International Business and an MBA from Saint Louis University. Before advising at SLU, Valerie worked for several different companies.
Bianca Suarez, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
bianca.suarez@slu.edu
314-977-5746
Bianca supports the co-curricular student experience, including advising the Honors Student Association (HSA) executive board and managing Path, the honors peer mentor and wellness program. She also supports planning and development of the first year honors student experience, acts as a liaison to the Honors Learning Community, and coordinates the annual Honors Senior Celebration. Bianca joined the Honors Program staff in 2023 after working as a racial equity learning consultant. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Loyola University Chicago, an M.A. in Education from DePaul University, and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Berkeley.
Brian Adler, Ph.D. Student
Graduate Assistant
brian.adler@slu.edu
Brian supports the academic experience of honors students both as a teaching assistant for two Contemplation in Action courses and as an instructor for the Professional Development and Discernment course. He also works with the Path mentors to support their wellness and assists with various operational aspects of the program. Brian joined the honors program staff in 2022 as its Graduate Assistant as he works toward completing his Ph.D. at SLU. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.A. in Public Policy Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.