And why should she not, the reason is not because it is religious as it is not if we go by the Koran, and less then hundred year in US/UK woman had to wear one although called a shawl as head cover. In many southern European countries as in Southern American countries woman still wear them, so again, why not. However I would set question marks at the fact how did she managed to get that professors position, obvious not because of her intelligence, as then she should know better.