Back Together Again Fall 2021 Virtual Graduation Class Celebration Bash THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2 | 6 PM on Webex Sponsored by the Graduate Student Association and the Office of Graduate Studies and Research
Program MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Justin Alexander, President, Graduate Student Association
INTRODUCTION
Together Again: Who is in the Room?
CONGRATS GRADUATES
Dionne Williams, Director of Membership & Engagement, Graduate Student Association
GAME #1
Announcement of First Attendee to enter and prize
BLESSING
Chaplain Pamela Adams
MUSIC SELECTION MOTIVATIONAL CHARGE Leah Williams, President, Delaware State University Alumni Association
GAME #2: Justin Alexander
130th Anniversary University Trivia: Do You Know Your University?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BY COLLEGE
College of Business College of Agriculture, Science and Technology Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences Office of Graduate Studies and Research
MUSIC SELECTION KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Breahna Pierce, Founder & CEO, Boss Management LLC
MUSIC SELECTION GAME #3 Finish the Lyrics CLOSING REMARKS
Justin Alexander President, Graduate Student Association Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson Dean, School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies
MUSIC SELECTION
BREAHNA PIERCE
GUEST KEYNOTE SPEAKER A native of Dover, Delaware, Bre Pierce graduated from Dickinson College in 2017 where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy with a minor in Education. After graduating, Bre built a career dedicated to identifying, guiding, and supporting high-achieving high school students from lowincome areas. Her former roles include: Director at the Delaware College Scholars Program based in Wilmington, DE, Assistant Director of Admission at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, DE, and Assistant Director of Admission & Access and Diversity Initiatives at Haverford College in Haverford, PA. Outside of the realm of education, Bre is an entrepreneur, author, and real estate agent. Bre is also passionate about work that feeds her soul. As a devout vegan and advocate for access to healthy and affordable food for communities of color, she wrote her first ebook, Young Black Vegan: 10 Tips for Black Millennials Transitioning to a Vegan Lifestyle, in September 2020. In March 2021, Bre founded Boss Management LLC, a consulting firm that manages people and organizations to ensure that their goals are met, and their vision is brought to fruition through strategic planning and execution. Bre passed the Delaware and National Real Estate Exams and became a Licensed Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty - Greater Newark in September 2021. Through these many experiences, Bre has learned the “power of we” – forging and celebrating intersections while prioritizing a collective language as the foundation for success.
LEAH WILLIAMS
MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
in
Leah Williams graduated from Delaware State University in 2015, making history as the first person to ever be awarded both the Presidential Academic Award for her cumulative 4.0 GPA and the Presidential Leadership Award for her campus leadership. Leah returned to DSU, completing her MBA the following year, and currently works as a Principal Quality Engineer for one of the top Defense Technology companies the world. Leah obtained her second Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity Technology in March 2020 with a 4.0 GPA from the UMGC.
Although very humble, Leah has received several honors, and has been recognized worldwide for her outstanding leadership, performance, and service to the community. For 2017, Leah was selected as one of the top 30 under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars in the Country by Thomas & the Institute of Supply Management. In 2018, Leah was recognized as the Top Supply Chain Analyst of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals. In 2019, Leah was selected Woman of the Year by the Employee Resource Group. Leah has been featured on Aspire TV Network, the HBCU Nation Radio Show, HBCU Times Magazine, BlkWomenInBiz, and other media networks. After being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 22, Leah serves as an advocate and strives to be an inspiration to others who are battling illness. In 2020, Leah was selected to present to spread awareness of Crohn’s disease and other illnesses for the Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference. Leah is also an advocate for Historically Black Colleges & Universities. Leah was awarded the HBCU Young Alumni of the Year by the DCHBCUAA for 2019. Leah was selected by the White House in 2015 to serve as an HBCU All Star supporting President Obama’s Initiative to promote the excellence, innovation, and sustainability of HBCUs. Leah introduced then-Vice President Biden at the HBCU Week Conference. In addition, Leah currently serves as the President of DSU’s National Alumni Association and in 2016, DSU selected Leah as one of its top under/ over 40 alumni. Leah was also selected as DSU’s 2020 Convocation Keynote Speaker. A lifelong learner, Leah has continued to further her education by obtaining both the Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), and Security+ Certifications. A gifted musician, Leah plays nine instruments and arranges music. Leah enjoys spending time giving back to the community by speaking to students and inspiring them to reach their dreams. Leah plans to keep making her mark on the world and in her community any way she can.
Congratulations COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Physics (MS) Program Mauricio Pulido, MS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Business Administration (MBA) Program Dwight Deloatch, MBA Luna Mishoe, MBA Matthew Williams, MBA COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SCIENCES Educational Leadership (EdD) Program Justin Alexander, EdD Amber Ward, EdD Educational Leadership (MEd) Program Joena Henry, MEd Public Administration (MPA) Program Quadia Ameen, MPA Eva Anambo, MPA Ramon Apellaniz, MPA Bryce Applewhite, MPA Erin Gordon, MPA Precious Igwebuike, MPA Aishona Jackson, MPA Taylor Lee, MPA Darielle Lemon, MPA Dukens Marie ( Jean), MPA Delonte’ Neal, MPA Aje’ English-Wynn, MPA
WESLEY COLLEGE OF HEALTH & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES Social Work (MSW) Program Rosanna Biondolillo, MSW Shalynn Bryant, MSW Whitney Earle, MSW Kendall Edelin, MSW Rhonda Feaster, MSW Teisha Fooks, MSW Bridgette George, MSW Jahmi Bailey-Green, MSW Emmanuela Ikechukwu, MSW Ayanna Jackson, MSW Stephanie Jarmon, MSW Jalyn Johnson, MSW Amanda Kelley, MSW Amber Maxwell, MSW Kayla Moore, MSW Omar Nichols, MSW
FALL 2021 CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION Jessica Partin, MSW Rocky Polite, MSW Dahlia Palmer, MSW Kyanna Sexton, MSW Caitlen Sissa, MSW Jesse Tallyen, MSW Lajoy Thomas, MSW Doreen Tuete, MSW Antoinette Valentine, MSW Rebecca Webb, MSW Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program Talia Baderian, MOT Sawyer Berrie, MOT Elena Brown, MOT Sarah Bowers, MOT Russita Buchanan, MOT Dominique Carpio, MOT Francis D’Alessandro, MOT Danielle DeFeo, MOT Lauren Ebling, MOT Lauren Esser, MOT Christian Fernandez, MOT Gabrielle Ferrara, MOT Ashley Girard, MOT Paige Grosso, MOT Joseph Gundel, MOT Atavia Hammond, MOT Megan Jerome, MOT Lauren Kesecker, MOT Jenna Lipinski, MOT Kristen Maltman, MOT Joseph McCool, MOT Dana Mowbray, MOT Michael Nelson, MOT Jacqueline Pierson, MOT Ashley Priante, MOT Kelsey Ryan, MOT Andrew Schmeusser, MOT Alexis Shallcross, MOT Jonathan Shellem, MOT Alyssa Sherr, MOT Justin Sorrell, MOT Kyle Swanson, MOT Kelly Szczecinski, MOT Teaghen Vogelsang, MOT Andrea Zlinsky, MOT
Congratulations COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Physics (MS) Program Al Alexis, MS Natural Resources (MS) Program Mohanna Gadde, MS Memory Nakazwe, MS Philippe Nziza, MS Mathematics (MS) Program Yao Xia, MS Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience (MS) Program Amir McNair, MS Katarzyna Rosikon, MS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Business of Administration (MBA) Program Dannielle Allen,MBA Dachaun Clyburn, MBA Pearl Harris, MBA Malik Henry, MBA Caitlyn Ward Menard, MBA Cierra Mingo, MBA Shereen Winfield, MBA Sport Administration (MS) Program Siara Bey, MS Christina Chiazor, MS Kevin Kapushinski, MS Zichao Yu, MS COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SCIENCES Educational Leadership (EdD) Program Tameca Beckett, EdD Donna Coursey, EdD Mark James, EdD Marvin Jones, EdD Schentel Jones, EdD Lisa Lancaster, EdD Elizabeth Stewart, EdD Travis Sudler, EdD Timothy Yancy, EdD Educational Leadership (MEd) Program Melayna Hall, MEd Diamond Lee, MEd Gregory Long, MEd
SUMMER 2021 CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION Teaching English to Spekaers of Other Languages/Bilingual Education (TESOL) (MA) Program Onyai’ Glover, MA Marina Santana, MA Public Administration (MPA) Program Cassandra Richardson, MPA WESLEY COLLEGE OF HEALTH & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES SOCIAL WORK Rosemary Ahenkorah, MSW Veronica Flemmings, MSW Deitra Harper, MSW Chelsea Irving, MSW Williams McGovern, MSW Lakedia Mumford, MSW Gabriella Olivince, MSW Angel Powell, MSW Courtney Rush, MSW Tessa Tierson, MSW Quenayshia Wilson, MSW
Thank You OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH STAFF Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Dean, School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies Mrs. Terry Jeffries, Assistant Dean, School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies Cheryl L. Still, Director of Graduate Student Support Services LeAndrea Johnson, Graduate Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Teshenia Hughes, Graduate Admissions Counselor Angenette Kelley, Graduate Processor Justin Alexander, Graduate Office Assistant GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION Justin Alexander, President Dionne Williams, Director of Membership & Engagement Alicia Aiken-Goss, Public Relations Liaison Dwight Deloatch, Treasurer Cynthia Mewborn, Secretary