ASHFORD AROUND THE WORLD / AU Alumni ... - Ashford University

Networking Events /AU Alumni Magazine/AU Alumni MagazineNetworking EventsNetworking Coastto Coast: New York& CaliforniaNetworking Events: Ashford’s Student and Alumni Networking eventsAshford’s Student and Alumni Networking events, held in cities around thecountry from Boston to Honolulu, have been steadily growing in popularity asthe Ashford community grows larger and larger every month. These events takesome of the “work” out of networking – those who attend can expect to meet andsocialize with other Ashford students, alumni, and faculty members in a casualatmosphere. In addition, a fun and brief professional development presentationis usually delivered by Ashford’s Professional Development Directors, MelissaGoodwin and Tamara Carrillo, who share insight on topics including the hiddenjob market and perfecting one’s “elevator pitch.”Brooklyn, NYA New York event was held on November 1, 2011 at Water Street Restaurantin Brooklyn, NY. Located along the cobblestone streets of DUMBO’s historicwaterfront district and surrounded by the Brooklyn Bridge and the ManhattanBridge, the location served as a great atmosphere for the more than 70 attendees.Among them were Ashford alumnus Clara Nieuwkerk, Master of Arts inOrganizational Management, 2010, and her sister, Evelyn Carrion-Clara,Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, 2012. “I am so glad we came!”enthused Clara, reflecting on the moment earlier in the evening when the eventorganizers asked for volunteers who would like to share their success story for thegroup. “I noticed that the entire room froze, and I jumped up and volunteered. Iam proud of what I have accomplished.” Clara shared that she was raised in thesunny Dominican Republic but surrounded by drugs and violence, which sheovercame to get to where she is today – pursuing her Doctor of Psychology, MentalHealth Administration specialization, online at University of the Rockies. “Afterthat ice-breaking moment, many others came up to share their own stories. Itwas a wonderful and unforgettable time!”Rhea Thomas, Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with Education specialization,2010, also arrived with her sister. Now back at Ashford earning her Master of Artsin Education, Early Childhood Education specialization, Rhea calls graduatingfrom Ashford one of the happiest days of her life. Originally from Trinidadand Tobago, she works as an elective teacher at a private school in Brooklyn,at Battalion Christian Academy, and “enjoys every minute of it!” Later in theevening, she said, “Tonight was lovely. We got to hear some awesome testimonials,and I made some connections with several teachers at the Board of Education.”Rhea has since let us know that they have all stayed in touch, keeping each otherposted with what’s going on in their field. Additionally, her sister Natasha hasdecided to enroll at Ashford.Among them was Karen Stevens, Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice,2011. For her, the location meant it was a family affair – while she chatted withher husband and fellow alumni, her 13-year-old son stopped by to get morechange for the arcade games. With a baby at home and another on the way, shethanks Ashford for giving her “the confidence I never had.” She shared with hertablemates that during commencement she and her family were at McChordAir Force Base in Lewis McChord, WA, where her husband was deployed, butan Ashford representative there coordinated a special commencementceremony. “There were about four of us graduating from Ashford, along withgrads from several other colleges,” she shared. “It was an awesome experience.”Now, she’s pursuing her Master’s degree with the goal of becoming a juvenileprobation officer.Ashford’s Student andAlumni Networking eventsallow our diverse communityof students, alumni, andfaculty members – who trulydefy categorization – tomeet, share stories, andcreate opportunities.Fellow alumnus Tereseé Henney, Master of Business Administration, Health Care Administrationspecialization, 2011, loved Karen’s commencement story, and followed up with her own. She sharedthat she’d had both hips replaced shortly before graduating from Ashford, which she summed up with asense of humor: “I said, ‘Hip, hip, degree!’” A Navy veteran with a versatile résumé in health care, publicrelations, and journalism, Tereseé shared that, over the course of her studies at Ashford, she’d had “about30 or 40 of those ‘aha’ moments.” She aims to apply that insight to continue working in the health careindustry, in logistics and operations management.Meanwhile, Monica Rose Jahn, currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studiesprogram, mingled nearby with her guest, a good friend from church. They’d driven over 100 miles fromSeal Beach, CA to attend the event, and Monica was glad they did – she happily reported that she’d justmade a connection with an Ashford alumnus in attendance who works in the environmental field, and shewas excited to follow up soon about professional opportunities.Upcoming EventsAshford’s Student and Alumni Networking events allow our diverse community of students, alumni, andfaculty members – who truly defy categorization – to meet, share stories, and create opportunities. Tomake sure you don’t miss an upcoming event in your area, see the back cover of this issue for dates fromMay through October 2012, and RSVP at ashford.edu/networkevents. //Online Instructors:Putting a Face to a NameClockwise, from left to right:Mounier Zaki, Mark Young,Kerri Dopart, Kristen Akerele,Dr. Elena Lattarulo, PatrickNorris, Dr. Mark Zecca,Dr. Dwight Reimer,Georginne Parisi, JodiFeikema, Dovie Dawson, andVanessa Schoenherr.The professional portfolios of the 13faculty members in attendance at the San Diegoevent were both diverse and impressive. Aftergathering for a group photo, they mingled andcompared teaching notes with one another.Dr. Dwight Reimer, an instructor in the Collegeof Business and Professional Studies, has served asboth the Dean and President of Central ChristianCollege in Kansas, and is now writing a bookabout organizational behavior. Dr. Mark Zecca,also an instructor in the College of Business andProfessional Studies, is Vice President and ChiefInformation Officer of NuVasive, a medical devicecompany that develops products and proceduresfor the spine. And Patrick Norris, who teachesSocial and Criminal Justice and Law EnforcementAdministration, is a Police Sergeant with the SanDiego Police Department. The networking eventserved as a rare opportunity for them to meet oneanother as well as connect with former studentsin person.San Diego, CAA few months later, all the way on the opposite coast in San Diego, CA, the firstevent of 2012 was held on January 25 at Dave and Buster’s, a popular restaurant,bar, and arcade nestled under its own typical Southern California structure – afreeway overpass. Inside, more than 100 people were in attendance to networkand mingle.Have you had any of these onlineinstructors or those pictured above? Let us know!Email connections@ashford.edu.4/ Ashford University / ashford.eduAshford Connections / Issue Four/5