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A former Villanova University law professor has filed a federal lawsuit, alleging her July 2024 dismissal was retaliation for raising racial discrimination concerns involving one of her students.

Stephanie Sena, an anti-poverty fellow and longtime faculty member, taught at Villanova for over 20 years. According to the lawsuit obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer, the University cited “student complaints” as the reason for her termination.

Allegations of Retaliation and Discrimination

Sena’s attorneys contend her firing was tied to a racial discrimination complaint she filed after the school refused to grant a student, Antionna Fuller, financial aid that would have cleared her debt.

“Villanova University looks forward to presenting the actual facts surrounding the Plaintiff’s separation,” the University said in a statement. “The Plaintiff’s lawsuit lacks merit. Villanova does not tolerate discrimination or retaliation, and the allegations are contrary to our policies and core values.”

Sena declined to comment to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Her LinkedIn profile currently redirects to a “404 Error.”

Student Case Sparks Controversy

Fuller, 29, accused the law school of racial discrimination during a 2021 symposium titled Shifting the Poverty Lens: Caritas in Focus, which Sena hosted. The student said the University failed to provide adequate support with financial aid. Fuller graduated in 2022 and told reporters, “I am happy, at least relieved, that the truth is coming out. I’ve been in such an isolated place and just carrying this trauma for so long.”

Court filings allege that then-Dean Mark Alexander instructed that Fuller not receive the aid because she “maliciously maligned” the law school. Additionally, former Vice Dean Michael Risc allegedly commented that Fuller was “lucky” to be admitted and that she “would not be there if she were white.”

Investigation and Termination

Villanova’s human resources department reportedly informed Sena in June 2024 that she was under investigation after students claimed she pressured them to file complaints against the deans. Sena denied the accusations. She was terminated a month later, despite a clean record, awards, and previous promotions.

The lawsuit seeks economic damages, compensatory and punitive awards, and attorneys’ fees and costs.

This case highlights ongoing tensions in higher education around race, discrimination, and faculty retaliation, and it remains under active litigation.