After three years in the army as an X-ray technologist, Ken Roszel ‘81 /’94M joined a little-known rural hospital in Danville called The George F. Geisinger Memorial Hospital. At the time, the hospital had a school for aspiring radiologic technologists, and Roszel found a love of teaching his craft. So, with his GI bill in hand, Roszel enrolled in Bloomsburg University’s BS program in Medical Imaging with an emphasis on education.
“At the time, you could go to a hospital-based school for a certificate and be set for life as a registered technologist,” said Roszel.
Sometimes, timing is everything. Around the time Roszel graduated from Bloom, the Geisinger school hired him as a clinical coordinator to assist the program director and oversee the clinic. He coordinated clinical schedules for students and taught several classes. Roszel enjoyed the educational aspect of his role so much that he returned to BU for his MS in Instructional Technology.
“It Looked interesting, and I wanted to know more about education,” said Roszel. “I needed more, but I didn’t know what ‘more’ was. I never thought I was Master’s material, but I liked what I heard and gave it a try.”
Not long after he received his M.S.I.T. degree, however, the rules that allowed one to become a certified technologist via a hospital program changed and a B.S. degree was now required. Geisinger’s program was one of many to close under the new requirements, and fortunately Roszel was hired by Geisinger Health Plan to oversee the newly created Member Education department.
“Having that degree saved me,” said Roszel. “Without it, I would not have been considered for the position with GHP.”
It wasn’t long, however, that the closing of so many hospital-based programs across the country created a shortage of technologists. Geisinger reopened the school, and today provides BU medical imaging students the opportunity to apply and intern at the facility. The close proximity means that nearly all of the students are Huskies, and Roszel is able to continue his association with and support of Bloomsburg University by acting as the on-site supervisor for Medical Imaging interns and a speaker on campus.
“I see students enter the profession with very little knowledge or skill and over time see their confidence and knowledge growing to the point where I would trust any of my students to radiograph my wife,” explained Roszel, whose former student did indeed have his wife as a patient. “I see them all coming in as blank slates and leaving as seasoned technologists, and it gives me a lot of pride and a sense of accomplishment.”
The internship program not only offers Geisinger the chance to see which students may be a good fit for the program, but it allows Huskies to have an edge when it comes time to move from student to professional. For Roszel, it is a win-win. Not only does he get to guide students as their supervisor, but he also gets to stay in close contact with his alma mater and assist other Huskies in their first career move.
“I really cherish the fact that I can continue to be part of BU through this process of being an intern site supervisor,” concluded Roszel. “Not only did I receive my degrees there, but now continue to be part of the process even if I’m not on campus. I greatly appreciate that.”
Bringing 25 Years of Experience to Help Future Teachers.
Brian Blubaugh ’95 was recruited for cross country and track team at Bloomsburg University. Little did he know that the decision would prepare him for a long and satisfying career in elementary education.
Teacher preparation has been a part of Bloomsburg University since its founding as a literary institute and later a state normal school. In 1839, 1995, and today, the professional development and field experience necessary for a successful transition from student to classroom teacher were immediate. In addition to classroom instruction, Huskies must spend hours observing different grades, classrooms, and teachers and complete an entire semester of student teaching. Some also elect to complete a practicum experience at a local school district. Blubaugh says that experience was essential to his own success.
“They start you right away,” said Blubaugh. “Professors nailed down all the different ways to instruct students, [but] those field experiences were just as important so we could start teaching right away once we graduated.”
Blubaugh was hired on the spot in Loudoun County, Virginia, after making the trip just before Thanksgiving break of his senior year. His roommate and friend, Matt Croyle, was hired just a few months later, making the transition to a new career and a new state easier. Now, after 25 years in the district, he serves as Principal of Algonkian Elementary in Sterling, VA. Blubaugh volunteered to help future Husky teachers through the Collaborating to Assist Teacher Candidate Hiring (CATCH) Conference and the Education Career Connections Expo.
“I give all credit to Bloomsburg,” said Blubaugh. “It is something little I can do since I was prepared so well. I’ve been in Loudoun for 25 years. I owe it to them to give back.”
Some may think that they may not have the time or much insight to offer current students, but Blubaugh disagrees. He says that every alum can give insight into the hiring process, how best practices and technology have changed, and how what students are learning now will be relevant once they graduate. He says it’s also fun to see how things have (or haven’t) changed since the last time on campus and networking with other professionals.
“It has been great talking to the dean of education and other teachers on panels and learn how they’ve handled the pandemic with their student teachers. We are all dealing with the same issues, so it’s good to hear what the students can do and help them package it in an interview in a way that the principal will hire you.”
Blubaugh also challenges the idea that volunteering needs to take a lot of time, especially now that alumni can volunteer virtually over Zoom. He encourages his fellow alumni to reach out to their department and make themselves available to students.
“It’s been easier virtually because there is no travel. The university’s ultimate goal is to have students be successful, and there are a lot of alumni that can talk about what they’re doing, how they got there, and what they’ve learned along the way. Everyone has 15 minutes to give back. It doesn’t need to take long.”
Allan Myers Executive Brings Business Opportunities to Fellow Huskies
Ken Griffin '99 was not the first Husky in his family. Introduced to Bloomsburg University by his elder sister, he fell in love with the campus' size and beauty. He enrolled as an Accounting major to seize the opportunities of the business world, and now that he's established, he is bringing those opportunities to fellow Huskies.
"I loved the setting," explained Griffin. "It was big enough where you may not see the same people over the semester, but the classes were small, and there was a lot of interaction with the professors. I liked that. Bloomsburg was a great experience."
Now the Corporate Controller for ALLAN MYERS, Griffin remembers accounting firms regularly coming to interview students before they even graduated. Although he resented the challenging classes and the long hours, he grew to appreciate the rigor once he graduated.
"Some of my exams were two hours outside of class, and I remember thinking, 'Why are we doing this?'" recalled Griffin, "Once I got out and sat for the CPA Exam, I appreciated the rigor and toughness they put on us."
Griffin started in public accounting with Kreischer-Miller. He earned his CPA before moving to the private industry with the real estate investment company Pitcairn Properties.
During the 2008 recession, Griffin learned of an opportunity of Corporate Controller at Allan Myers. This spring, Griffin celebrated ten years with the company and was happy to help Allan Myers recruit fellow Huskies. He called the experience of returning to campus "humbling."
"I reached out to Dr. Shapiro after graduating more than 15 years ago, and he remembered who I was. He cares about his students, and that says a lot," explained Griffin. "He has helped pick up our recruiting. We had so many students coming to our table looking for internships and jobs. It was nonstop for hours, and it was a challenge to whittle down the great candidates."
Griffin is confident these new Husky hires have chosen a great company at which to start their careers. Allan Myers, a heavy highway construction company that boasts the largest revenue in the mid-Atlantic, began operations on the family dairy farm in 1939. That farm is now the corporate campus site for the company that employs 2200 people in blue and white-collar positions.
"We have so many smart individuals in our company that I continue to learn things from everyone I interact with," said Griffin. "I am challenged by new things constantly. We are always trying to do something different to stay on the leading edge."
Griffin says that not only does the company have a culture of lifelong learning, but it is also one of caring for each other on a personal level.
"The CEO cares about everybody within the company; truly cares," explained Griffin. "He is down to earth. It's an amazing company that challenges its employees and allows them to learn new things."
Two examples are the internal leadership programs; one for new employees (Developing Emerging Leaders) and one for seasoned employees (Leadership Intensive). Both are approximately a year in length and include projects, presentations, and professional development.
"The Leadership Intensive program was the best experience ever," said Griffin. "At a certain stage of your career, you get to a place where you think you've got it, and I found out I didn't."
Just under 20 BU grads have joined Allan Myers during the time Griffin has been with the company, some before they even began their senior year. Griffin says that today's Huskies are even more so prepared as he was in 1999.
"I didn't go to any career fairs when I was a student - I was lucky to have submitted a resume," explained Griffin. "It's amazing how well they are prepared."
The experience, he says, has been mutually beneficial.
"It has been a great experience getting back involved with the university and talking to the students," said Griffin. "You don't know all the opportunities that are out there when you first get out. I love sharing my experiences and my career path to give them an idea of what's out there."
After ten years in the special education classroom, Shawn Tuttle ‘88 came to the Harrisburg School District as an assistant principal in 1999 before being tapped to be a special education supervisor for the district. Although her first love is classroom teaching, Tuttle has found a new love in working with special education teachers, students, and parents across the entire Harrisburg School district. She has found that she especially enjoys giving new teachers their professional start and guiding seasoned teachers through the challenges of the last year.
“I love when I get to see the students learning,” said Tuttle. “They want to show me what they’re learning and doing. [But I also] love working with the teachers and really helping them build their capacity and raise their own bar.”
Tuttle is proud of her district and the innovative ways staff remained focused on a holistic approach to education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Innovation that many new graduates find attractive when searching for that first professional fit.
“We are an innovative district,” said Tuttle. “It has been a true challenge with the pandemic, but we’re going to come out on the stronger side. Our teachers incorporate so much technology to teach and give the students various means and avenues to learn.”
Because of her recruiting efforts, several Huskies were part of that innovation. HASD frequently hires special ed teachers and Tuttle has recently taken a more proactive approach to hiring and recruiting. Tuttle first participated in a spring career expo on the BU campus, and later expanded to on-campus interviews where she hired three Huskies on the spot. Most recently, Tuttle participated in the Collaborating to Assist Teacher Candidate Hiring (CATCH) Conference and says that current BU students are much more prepared than she felt when she first started.
“During the interview, they were well-spoken and well versed about courses they had,” explained Tuttle. “The three [Bloom] students I hired have done a phenomenal job.
Although the students are well prepared for their first classroom, Tuttle still provides advice and guidance at campus events like CATCH. She always stresses that candidates know their preferred assignment and setting and be upfront with themselves and their employers, as well as gathering teaching experience outside of the required observations to add value to one’s resume.
“Districts look to see what you have done or can do within an educational setting. It tells us you’re invested,” explained Tuttle “Only you know where your strengths and weaknesses are, and you really want to find the right fit for you.”
Once a new teacher finds that fit, it is assumed that they will need a fair amount of coaching and encouragement. But even veteran teachers are not beyond someone like Tuttle to help them navigate the seismic shifts in education today.
“I always remember what it was like when I started and what I needed,” explained Tuttle. “No longer will we be regular teachers in front of the classroom. We are not going back to the old way of teaching.”
It took Brian Case '83 nearly two decades to find a position he loves, but now that he has it, he wants to help fellow Huskies find theirs.
Case enrolled at B.U. in Business Management because he felt that such a broad program of study would give him the most career options. As he worked his way through various courses, Case found that he enjoyed those in Human Resources. He later confirmed that path during an internship at Lehigh Valley Hospital. After graduation, he worked in various industries, including insurance and pharmaceutical, and even started his own career coaching firm before moving to the energy sector.
"I worked in a variety of industries and changed careers – all with the help of my degree from Bloomsburg," recalled Case. "I am grateful for those positions, but I still wanted to pursue something that would let me say I truly love what I do."
That opportunity came in the Talent Management sector at PPL Corporation, where Case oversees Talent Management & Diversity. He works with succession planning, management development training, university relations, diversity outreach and reporting, and serves on several advisory boards.
Not only has he loved the last 11 years with PPL, but Case now gets to guide fellow Huskies on their professional climb. Bloomsburg University is the third largest represented university population at PPL in Pennsylvania; a demographic that continues to grow at the company. PPL offered eighty percent of their interns full-time employment this summer and while it varies from year to year, it usually includes a few Huskies. In fact, one of the things Case stresses with current students is the power of an internship to provide real-world experience and serves as a test run for the employer and a close look at company culture for the employee.
"My internship exposed me to all the things that happen in an H.R. position," explained Case. "There were so many different avenues to pursue. I got so much out of it that I always encourage students in any conversation to do an internship."
While he had always returned to campus for alumni events like Homecoming, Case lent his time and talent to B.U. as part of the Zeigler College of Business advisory board and found it to be an enjoyable experience. While seeking other ways to volunteer, he discovered many ways in which the university was helping students transition from student to professional. As a first-generation college student himself, Case recognized the importance of professional and career experiences for students who came to school without the necessary context.
"Nobody could tell me how things worked or what I had to do or prepare or avoid," explained Case. "I think professional development at bloom is fantastic. There are really good things that happen on campus that help prepare students and make them competitive."
One of those events is the Career Intensive Boot Camp (CIBC), which he is a frequent volunteer and describes as an "amazing" program.
"I've been on many college campuses, and there is not a program that exists in my opinion that compares to the CIBC," explained Case. "It provides the students with such a great opportunity to network with alumni and employers and provides them with real-world advice and experiences. I've had so many great conversations with students there, so that stands out as my favorite."
Case says that meeting students and helping them become professionals is very rewarding. He encourages other alumni to help, noting that it isn't as time-consuming as one would think. Besides, the satisfaction associated with helping fellow Huskies is more than worth the effort.
"I wish that I had known more about career services when I was on campus, so I always help," explained Case. "Setting students up for success is tremendously rewarding. Any amount of time can make a significant difference in a student's life, and that is worth the time."
More than thirty years after he graduated, Case still credits B.U.'s influence for his interest and career path and will continue to give back to fellow Huskies.
"It took me over 20 years to find a job that I love, and I appreciated all the jobs along the way," concluded Case. "But I know that people are most successful when they do what they love because it comes naturally, and the quicker you can help a student get there makes them that much more successful."
Company Culture Attracts Talented Huskies to Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual has been providing their clients comprehensive financial planning for 160 years. And even though their partnership with BU isn’t quite that old, the consistently positive experience ensures that it will remain long into the future.
“I’m happy to be at work every day,” said Paul Vizza, Internship Director for Northwestern Mutual. “[They] provide the perfect combination of opportunity and culture to grow a career. [They] invest so much in opportunities for growth, have great corporate values and a sense of responsibility to the community.”
Vizza says that such a great company culture attracts talent, so Northwestern Mutual often has the pick of every graduating class, and many of those picks are Huskies. The firm looks for financial skills, of course, but they also look for self-motivation, grit, communication, and time management skills.
“Are you someone who can overcome adversity and have a little bit of entrepreneurial spirit,” said Vizza. “Are you coachable? We look for things like clubs, part-time jobs, anything beyond the classroom; a full-time track record of success.”
All qualities that Huskies tend to possess.
Vizza also explained the Huskies that they hire often come through their highly ranked internship program. Vizza describes the internship program as realistic – a scaled-down full-time position combined with a full slate of coaching and training.
“By the time you leave, we want you to leave with ten times the knowledge than when you came on board, regardless of whether or not you stay with us,” explained Vizza. “An internship like that required a student who is self-motivated.”
Such a partnership ensures the success of all involved.
“Bloom students are outgoing, realistic and hand’s on,” said Vizza. “They’re not afraid to try something new, and we appreciate that the learning curve isn’t as steep with them. They are always professional and have great communication skills.”
“We like to invest the most amount of time and resources in schools where we see successful students,” concluded Vizza. “Blooms has a great track record of success and is one of our top schools.”
Bob Braun's high school counselor recommended Bloomsburg State College because she thought he would be a good teacher. But the truth was that the '85 BU alum, and current Airmatic Sales Director, had no idea what he wanted to do or who he wanted to be. And he wouldn't for quite some time.
"Why she thought that I don't know," recalled Braun. "I wanted to get into business to make money, but doing what, I had no idea."
Even before it was called Bloomsburg University, the Business and Accounting programs on campus had a solid reputation. Braun enrolled and took the advice of his orientation leaders to get involved. He was accepted as an RA his sophomore year, joined a fraternity in his junior year, and largely credits these and other campus experiences for helping him grow into a confident adult. Still, something seemed to be missing.
"I found myself at Bloomsburg," explained Braun. "I can remember being so happy that a lifelong dream had come true [at graduation], but what am I going to do now? I felt prepared but empty."
Braun found his first position as a merchandise manager trainee through an ad in the classifieds with the toy retail giant, Toys R Us. For those who remember Christmas of 1985, Braun had the historic experience of maintaining and protecting the store's inventory of Cabbage Patch dolls.
"It was a circus," laughed Braun. "It was like we were guarding piles of gold at Fort Knox."
Braun gained valuable experience from the position but said the idea of working holidays and weekends became less appealing. He moved on as a systems representative for ABC Payroll, an early precursor to ADP, where he used computer code parameters and subroutines to create a payroll system for clients. His path forked again when he met the woman who is now his wife and was assigned the payroll contract for Iron Workers Union Local 401. Braun was familiar with the organization through his family history and felt compelled to leave the business world and serve an apprenticeship to become a journeyman ironworker.
"I had always been awestruck by the dangerous and difficult nature of ironworking," explained Braun. "My father, grandfather, and uncles had all been ironworkers."
A work injury six years later forced Braun to rethink his career again. After recovering from a severe back injury, he returned to his Business degree as an entry-level salesperson at Airmatic, a small industrial distribution company in Philadelphia.
"As I learned the industry, I had to catch up for lost time," explained Braun. "I had this degree from Bloomsburg, but I had lost that trail."
Even as he gained experience and life became more manageable, Braun still had that empty feeling. He became reacquainted with his alma mater after helping a student in his fraternity obtain an internship at Airmatic. That student became a permanent hire after graduation, and Braun has hosted three more Husky interns since that time. He has since become more involved on campus through the ZIPD Conference, Husky Student Leadership Summit, virtual alumni panels, sales and marketing advisory board and the BU Professional Sales Competition.
"A mentor told me at Airmatic that volunteering gets you out of your comfort zone," recalled Braun. "It's like therapy when you're volunteering and trying to help others do well."
Braun says that he's never had a bad experience in his efforts to help current students on their career journey. In fact, he says volunteering has alleviated the emptiness he once felt. Now, Braun stresses to students the importance of taking advantage of alumni interactions and connections that he wishes he had when he was a student. He helps students evaluate what they know, what they enjoy, the different things they can do, and the fact that all alumni were once where they are now.
"This is just a step in the process of where they want to go and do, and they can be anything they want," explained Braun. "I'm living proof of that."
Living proof that while events that seem like detours are really ways of growing toward the kind of person one wants to be.
"I just like being back and helping people," said Braun. "Volunteering makes me feel good. Hiring Huskies makes me feel good. I am learning and growing and living the life of the person I always wanted to be but never thought I could."
Not A Number: Alumni Couple Turns Struggle into Support
Hakeem Thomas and Coleen Schlager found each other on a dating site in the spring of 2013. They soon realized they had enrolled at the same university. That university was Bloomsburg.
Messages turned into letters, which turned into Skype chats. The two met in July before moving to campus in August; Coleen as a Psychology major and Hakeem doubling in digital forensics and criminal justice.
As a first-generation college student, Coleen’s lack of experience on how to navigate campus life was amplified by an undecided career path. Hakeem’s transition included physical and emotional trauma from a recent military deployment. He wasn’t ready for that first year, and his dismal GPA eventually resulted in an academic dismissal from the university and added feelings of failure to an already heavy load.
“I hated being home, knowing my military team was still overseas. The guilt destroyed me, and then I was dismissed,” says Hakeem. “In the military, we are ‘mission first,’ and I had failed my mission as a college student.”
The feelings of guilt, failure, and uncertainty led Hakeem to take his own life. Fortunately, a call from Coleen interrupted the potential tragedy. A few days later, Hakeem met with Bob Heckrote ’12/’15M, academic adviser and supervisor for the Office of Military and Veterans Resources, for help with being reinstated.
“Bob understood what I was going through and believed in me,” says Hakeem. “He went door-to-door until faculty and administrators agreed to give me a second chance.”
After Hakeem was reinstated, he and Coleen began concentrating on more than grades, and the pair became involved in student organizations that met their personal and professional interests. Coleen led the Aging Special Interest Group (ASIG) and created basic computer classes for community members. Hakeem and other ASIG members provided technical assistance.
"It was a wonderful learning experience for them, but it was also a great social event. Hakeem was able to use his technology background to facilitate an effective series of courses.” says Coleen.
“We showed them how to create Facebook pages to connect with family and use Word and Google for everyday things,” says Hakeem. “I taught a couple how to use facetime to talk to their grandkids. The pure joy in each class made it one of the greatest things I’ve done.”
Coleen cites her involvement with ASIG by instilling a more confident career direction.
“The experience reinforced my confidence in choosing psychology as a major because my primary goal is to help people and develop their skills/abilities,” says Coleen. “We made it our goal to maximize our involvement with organizations.”
Hakeem connected on campus as president of the Bloomsburg University Student Veterans Association (BUSVA) and turned his pain into passion by raising money for suicide prevention with the Veterans Suicide Walk. Each November, BUSVA continues the tradition Hakeem started in 2015 by walking 23 laps around the academic quad; one lap for each of the U.S. veterans that commit suicide every day.
“BUSVA, ASIG, and volunteering played a huge role in why I’m not one of those 23,” says Hakeem.
Hakeem’s visit to the office of Alumni and Professional Engagement (A&PE) for a resume review was another turning point . The A&PE staff convinced both to attend the Career Intensive Boot Camp (CIBC), a weekend program that provides last-minute preparation for the transition from student to professional.
“Those meetings helped me mentally as well as professionally,” recalled Hakeem. “I learned how to network and how to eat a meal in front of coworkers. It was a real transition to the professional world.”
“We both needed professional guidance,” says Coleen. “I had a lot of difficulty with interviewing and networking, and the CIBC wrapped all of those experiences into one. It was outstanding for developing my confidence in professional settings.”
The contacts Hakeem made at CIBC led him to the annual Student Veterans of America Conference in Anaheim, Calif., where he was offered an internship with Northrop Grumman Corp. He received a Professional Experience Grant (PEG) to fund his move to California and was offered a remote position while completing his degree. Hakeem declined the full-time offer that followed in favor of a job with the Department of Defense Emergency Notification System. He now manages the alert systems at U.S. military installations worldwide.
After graduating, Coleen and Hakeem Thomas married in September 2018. Coleen is now pursuing a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology. The practical applications of BU’s psychology program have allowed her to explore her career options and continue to be successful.
“My professors have strongly impacted my motivation and drive,” says Coleen. “The mentorship I experienced has made me highly successful and confident. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Drawing inspiration from their struggles as students, Hakeem and Coleen remain involved, volunteering virtually and financially supporting students via the CIBC, BUSVA, and the Veterans Suicide Walk.
And despite their busy schedules, they both made the trip back to campus in the fall of 2019 for the 10th event celebration of the CIBC, volunteering as in-person resume reviewers and alumni panelists.
“I wanted students to have the same experience that I did,” says Coleen. “We now have the opportunity to be a positive influence on students.”
“At the last CIBC, I met some amazing students whose personal journey rocked me at my core,” says Hakeem. “I took the challenge of helping them work through and channel it to reach their goals. ”
Boot Camp, BUSVA, and other student events and organizations like it at BU, thrive on alumni providing an edge to fellow Huskies and people like Coleen and Hakeem make it possible. There have been over 250 unique CIBC volunteers since February 2016, and more than 30 of them were participants as students. To help defray the cost to students, the program has benefitted by over $20k in corporate and individual sponsorships since 2016.
“If not for my professors and the boot camp, I wouldn’t be here,” says Hakeem. “My wife, volunteering, and my work keep me from going back to the dark place. It will be a process, but I’m all in.”
We would like to invite other alumni couples to volunteer! Let us know if you’d like to help!
Much has changed in our world since five engineers dedicated to making people's lives easier with virtual machines founded VMware. Twenty-two years later, the company employs over 35,000 people in 100 countries and is the premier creator of the cloud computing infrastructure on which millions depend for everything from social networking to grocery shopping.
The notion that a student from a state university such as BU would never be noticed by as prominent a company has also changed. Through a shift in VMware's recruitment strategy and utilization of his network, Digital Forensics/ITM major Charles Pearsall '20 became one of the first two BU Huskies to intern with the Palo Alto company.
VMware's Campus Strategy and Events Lead, Caitlyn Johnson says that while companies in the Silicon Valley have historically recruited from schools like MIT, Harvard, Berkeley, and Stanford, there has been a shift in recruitment toward a more national scope. The company now concentrates its efforts at large career fairs or industry conferences, utilizing networking and referrals to find the best-qualified candidates.
"The idea that you need to have studied at a big-name school is evolving toward investing in partnerships that give us access to great students everywhere," explained Johnson. "There is a lot of power in getting to know people. About a third of our hires come from referrals."
As it turned out, Pearsall was the benefit of one of those referrals for his internship. A mutual contact introduced Pearsall to Pat Gelsinger, former CTL of Intel and VMware's current CEO. Pearsall took it from there.
"It was a cool experience to meet him," recalled Pearsall. "I had a call with him, and he referred me to a recruiter. I was on my own after that."
VMware's internship program focuses on providing interns a real-world professional experience that involves meaningful work and dedicated mentorship, and opportunities to network with professionals and leaders in the field.
"It's been a joy to run this program," said Cherielynn Tsay, University Talent Experience Program Manager for VMware. "We try to make it an unparalleled experience. IT Learning is the engine of innovation, and company culture plays a huge part in that. Our interns get a front seat to learn from industry leaders and are exposed to possibilities in their career journey."
Pearsall was brought on to intern with the company twice, once in person in Palo Alto as a data center operations intern, and a second time remotely from his home in central Pennsylvania as a site reliability intern with the Cloud and Productivity Engineering department. He said that both times were rewarding and exciting.
"It was such a great experience; I feel so lucky," said Pearsall. "I was intimidated at first, but I knew my stuff; I kept an open mind, listened, and learned. It's insane to work at such a big tech company. My supervisor has been such a great mentor to me."
Pearsall's performance earned him a full-time employment offer, which he accepted. He will move to California in February and begin working at VMware in March.
“All interns are given a mentor on their team to help them navigate their day to day, project work and become part of their network within the company," said Johnson. “While not always guaranteed, VMware does try to turn their interns into full time hires upon graduation. We try to operate by the motto of recruit once, hire twice.”
Thanks to Pearsall and the connections he has made, Bloomsburg University and VMware have all the necessary conditions to begin a networking partnership. The Bloomsburg University alumni board recently hosted an IT Conference entitled Our World Runs on Data to bring Husky students, alumni, and employer partners together to network and learn about cutting edge technology. VMware's V.P. of Data Science, Niresh Agarwal, was a keynote speaker. Another Husky was approached to intern with the company, courtesy of the event. Pearsall says that he is excited to use his network to help others build theirs, especially for such a prominent tech company.
"Bloomsburg is so special," said Pearsall. "I'm going to be at this job with people from Stanford, Harvard, and Yale. We all took different routes, and we all made it to the same place. If you get one connection, others will follow, and I want to help other BU students get the opportunity. I want to give someone else the shot to do what I did."
Giovanna Andrews planned on being a teacher when she first toured campus, but soon learned that life rarely goes according to plan. Fortunately, through grit, determination, and campus and community support, Andrews has continued her climb as a digital media and web content creator for the Wilmington, DE city council and founder of her own non-profit. She regularly returns to campus, albeit virtually, to help other students navigate their career journey.
“I knew I wanted to come to Bloom when I visited, and early on, my journey was filled with amazing people who supported me every step of the way”, recalled Andrews. “That sent the tone for my time at BU.”
Andrews nearly didn’t enroll that first fall because of finances, and throughout her time at BU, Andrews changed her plan and her major three times. She finally settled on Communication Studies with a track in Leadership and Public Advocacy in her senior year. While on campus, Andrews served as a Community Assistant and a Husky Ambassador, and was a member of several honor societies and volunteer organizations on and off campus. She credits those extracurricular experiences with opening up opportunities and bringing her out of her shell and noticing areas of need in the community, while her academics taught her how to advocate to fill those needs.
“My education and experience taught me how to recognize flaws in the system, what I needed to do to fix them, and how to push for change. My degree has also helped me become a marketable professional and navigate local government. I owe that to BU.”
Support remained a theme to Andrew’s experience her entire time at BU, especially when plans changed again her senior year with the news that she was expecting a baby. BU faculty, staff and community organizations helped Andrews persevere and graduate on time – two months before her daughter, Isabella Harper was born.
“For many pregnant women, transitioning to motherhood is their sole focus, but I was still a student; I was still giving tours. I knew I couldn’t fail any of my classes; I had to graduate on time.”
Her plans may have changed drastically, but by the time Isabella was born, Andrews had the knowledge and experience to adjust and push her volunteerism to the next level. Inspired by the support she received as a student, Andrews founded Harper’s Heart in 2018; a non-profit organization that helps new and expectant mothers gain the items they need to make a successful transition into motherhood. And as a first-generation college student, Andrews says that the support and knowledge she received at BU has not only allowed her to be successful, but also inspired her to give back to her pack. She has volunteered as an alumni panelist for BU’s annual Day of Dialogue and Careers in Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Conference [CASSHCON] and imparted her words of wisdom to new Huskies and their supporters with a video series for first year students.
“Education changed my life and I adored my time at BU. There were ups and downs but I was definitely molded into the woman I am today and I want to share that with current students.“
Despite the breadth of experience and the wide skillset Andrews now employs to make other people’s lives better, she has not forgotten what it was like to be a student, and the importance of current students seeing themselves represented in the young professionals who return to campus to help.
“Bloom does a great job of bringing alumni back to campus,” recalled Andrews. “As a student, I had the chance to talk to alumni and it was like a mirror: ‘You were a Communications major and you’re doing what?’. I knew I could continue on because I saw where it could lead and it’s our duty as alumni to come back and get other huskies started.”
“I love the opportunity to speak to BU students about having a plan but still being able to go with the flow,” concluded Andrews. “I went to the same school, lived in the same dorms, took the same classes. I am a living and breathing example of where they can be in life. It’s been awesome.”
Isabella Ligenza '20 initially chose BU for the American Sign Language Interpreting program but switched her major soon after to English. And although her new program was just as strong, Ligenza found the best part was that she didn't have to leave Bloom. Today, the new grad is still on "campus,"; adding to her climb as an MSIT student and helping others with theirs as an Alumni Volunteer.
"I wasn't enjoying it," Ligenza said of the ASL major. "So it made sense to switch to something I did enjoy, like writing. BU has a great English program, and I was happy I was able to stay in my community of friends and faculty at Bloom."
With a degree in English, Ligenza thought she would go into publishing. Still, in conversations with her adviser, she decided to continue her education at Bloom for a Master's Degree in Instructional Technology.
"It's a very different path, but I'm grateful," explained Ligenza. "MSIT is all about communication and knowing your audience."
Ligenza's closeness to the BU community only grew as she progressed to graduation and then returned to campus, not only for her graduate coursework, but also to help other Huskies with their career trajectories.
As an internship coordinator for The Writer's Workout, an online publishing and writing organization, Ligenza has plenty of advice to offer current students and has been volunteering virtually to provide advice on networking, internships, planning coursework, working remotely, and navigating professional relationships.
"Students shouldn't be afraid to utilize LinkedIn and Handshake to reach out to alumni," explained Ligenza. "Asking for advice or advocating for yourself is important. It's your future, and it's ok to second guess stuff and ask another's opinion."
Isabella says that obtaining remote positions and internships are hot topics right now, and she is in a unique position to provide advice and encouragement.
"The Writer's Workout asked me to stay on full time after my internship, and it is special for me to share that," explained Ligenza. "A lot of people don't realize how important internships are. They open doors for you and get you out of your comfort zone."
"I love sharing my story," Ligenza concluded. "I was a student juggling school and an internship, and I get how hard it is for them now. I needed a lot of mentoring, and I know if I can help even one student, it's a win."
Dawn Lastowka isn't a BU alum. But, for as close a relationship as she has with BU and its students, she may as well be.
Lastowka is a Recruitment Director for City Year, an education organization, and a member of the AmeriCorps national service network. She started recruiting with City Year Philadelphia in 2012 after six years with the organization and noticed that many students at PASSHE schools were from the Philadelphia area. Her husband, Ken, himself a PASSHE grad from BU, was heavily engaged with his alma mater and gave Lastowka some extra insight.
"Between the student demographic at BU and Ken's involvement, I saw a unique opportunity to grow City Year's relationship with Bloomsburg, recalled Lastowka.
City Year has 3000 AmeriCorps members in 29 cities across the country whose job is to ensure students in systemically under-resourced schools receive a high-quality education that prepares them to thrive and contribute to their community. Lastowka says that many of the individuals who elect to serve have a strong desire to participate in a cause greater than themselves.
"Many of the students we meet want to grow professionally through a unique experience.". explained Latsowka, "They may have had City Year in their classrooms growing up or were a part of an after school program and want to give back."
Lastowka says her team looks for three things when considering a new hire: a growth mindset that is solution-oriented, adaptability, and an ability to build relationships across cultures.
"We need people who will take action to understand and empathize with people across cultures, hold themselves accountable, and build relationships," emphasized Lastowka. "Cultural empathy is a huge part of the work that we do, and as an organization, it's essential."
Lastowka says that a term with City Year provides a space for those who want to work with youth outside of teaching to gain professional skills and experience. Those who have degrees in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, and Political Science and desire to work toward educational equity find the position attractive and rewarding. An education award for corps members who complete their term is also an attractive benefit to paying down debt or applying to graduate or law school.
"New grads can spend time working with schools and immersing themselves in the education sector, exploring where their passion lies," explained Lastowka. "Those who are thinking about grad school find a place to explore the professional world before making that commitment."
Lastowka says that as she suspected, Bloom grads are very well suited to the work. She has led City Year to make an intentional effort to recruit at BU through meeting with professors and student organizations and participating in career development opportunities such as the Career Intensive Boot Camp. In the past three years, more than twenty BU grads have served with City Year, and, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, corps members are still serving, and City Year is still hiring.
"It is an amazing experience full of opportunities for professional and personal growth, said Brittney Goris, Team Leader at City Year Miami and BU alumna. "BU students become a domino alongside those who are fighting towards equitable education for all. It is a powerful movement to be a part of."
"Students and schools that work with City Year report better academic outcomes than those who don't," concluded Lastowka. "Bu grads can really have an impact here.”
Helping Fellow Huskies Find Their Onward and Upward
Matthew Feldstein left campus in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and an MBA and has had an upward trajectory ever since. He now plays an active role in helping fellow Huskies with their onward and upward.
After six years with Dutch Wonderland, where he earned a promotion to Director of Finance, Feldstein signed on with Clark Associates in 2018. After two promotions, he is now the Financial Controller for the company's Webstaurant division, where he manages budgeting, process improvement, and financial reviews.
"I knew I wanted to be in accounting, I just wasn't sure if I wanted to be in the private or public sector," recalled Feldstein, whose dad owns a practice in NY. "My original goal was to get an Accounting degree and work with dad, but after learning more about the different types of accounting, I wanted to go in a different direction."
While a student, Feldstein was involved in various leadership roles that instilled in him a desire to stay engaged with the town and his alma mater. His move to Clark Associates now allows him to fill the alumni volunteer role at events such as the Career Intensive Boot Camp, Husky Leadership Summit, ZIPD Conference, and several of the Career Expos held throughout the year.
"It means a lot to go back to campus and see faculty and staff and keep that connection," said Feldstein. "I enjoy seeing students and helping soon to be alumni make those connections."
Feldstein says a highlight of being an alumni volunteer was when he represented his company as the keynote lunch sponsor at the Career Intensive Boot Camp.
"Clark had sponsored the lunch, and I was able to speak to the students," recalled Feldstein. "A few students approached me, thanked me, and asked for advice. One reached out weeks later, and we ended up bringing her onboard. That is a prime example of the networking value of those events."
Feldstein says the new Husky hire has already been promoted twice in the short year she has been employed at Clark Associates and feels that if he hadn't been at the Boot Camp that day, his company might have missed out on a valuable asset.
"Every time I go to these events, that is the type of relationship that I'm looking for," added Feldstein, who stresses the importance of early networking to current students.
"Take advantage of the opportunities that are on campus," advised Feldstein. "Any chance you have to network and find that job in a company that helps you continue to grow and build experience. It's easier to make those connections on campus than after the fact."
Crystal Skotedis '03 began her career journey at BU as an undeclared student and full-time accountant for a local grocery store in 1997. Now, she helps other Huskies fit right in with the regional accounting firm, Boyer & Ritter, aggressively recruiting and transitioning new Husky grads to the firm.
"I stayed undeclared until the Registrar's Office froze my courses, recalled Skotedis. "I liked everything, and it was so hard to box myself in mentally at that age."
Skotedis finally settled on Accounting after a meeting with her academic adviser helped her realize that an Accounting degree could become a launchpad for many different trajectories. Once she declared a major, Skotedis became involved with the Zeigler College of Business and built closer relationships with faculty. The extra involvement developed Skotedis as a professional and an attractive hire for several companies.
"The faculty was great, and I felt exceptionally prepared to go into my interview process," explained Skotedis. "I ended up having a choice of where I wanted to go."
Skotedis's choice was Staff Accountant at Boyer & Ritter, where she worked her way up to Senior Accountant, Manager, Director, and now, Principal. In her time, Skotedis has facilitated the recruitment of many a BU alum to the team.
"When I was hired, I was one of the first from BU," recalled Skotedis. "At the time, BU grads started turning heads here, and there was a more concentrated effort recruiting in BU."
Skotedis estimates that Boyer &Ritter has hired around 50 BU grads in the last 15 years, noting that they come to the firm much more prepared and motivated than students from other schools.
"BU consistently turns out people who move quickly and achieve early. They don't have the stumbling period in the transition from college to work; They are much more able to adapt and succeed."
Skotedis says that BU alums also bring a level of determination not found in other candidates. She says that kind of "Husky grit" is not only very valuable to an employer but also inherent in the type of student that chooses and completes a degree at BU. It is a trait that Skotedis recognized in herself when she started her climb.
"You do see a lot of grassroots grit and determination and will power coming out of BU students," described Skotedis. "Many are first-gen like I was, and I wanted to prove to myself and my family that I wasn't going to fail. It's something Intangible that you can't teach people – the 'dig your heels in’ and succeeded no matter what.
Despite the grit that comes with BU hires, Skotedis notes that Boyer & Ritter works to make the transition from college to professional as low stress as possible, giving new grads the time they need to make a successful transition with both hard and soft skills. The firm also provides flexibility and a team culture of support and mentorship.
"We have a culture where everyone has a role in an environment where everyone can learn and grow," explained Skotedis. "We don't expect you to know everything, but we do expect you to be a team player, and that has become instrumental in retaining and attracting employees. It is a very sought-after culture."
It is no wonder that Huskies, for whom grit is a trait and understand the value of lifting up their pack, fit right in at Boyer & Ritter.
"When you look at successful people in all disciplines, that grit factor always trumps intellect," concluded Skotedis. "[BU grads have been] good hires for us, so we continue to recruit there aggressively."
Providing Directions at the Intersection of Business and Technology.
Mike Coffey graduated from Penn State in 1990 with a degree in Secondary English Education. Nine years later, he took the leap into a relatively new field via the Bloomsburg University MSIT program. This program introduced Coffey to a unique space where software technology and computer programming intersected with business. Coffey has enjoyed a satisfying career ever since, currently working as a Senior Instructional Designer and Training Consultant with Accenture. He regularly returns to campus, albeit virtually as of late, to help mentor current students.
"I'm so glad I was introduced to the program," recalled Coffey. "The MSIT program launched me from a career in education to a career in instructional technology."
Coffey cites his professors in the MSIT program as his inspiration and motivation to pursue his passion in the industry with grit and persistence. At the same time, they provided guidance on balancing personal and professional life and the importance of developing both personally and professionally.
"They were fantastic," recalled Coffey. "I feel lucky coming through that program at a prime time in the industry."
Now, Coffey brings that inspiration to current students by volunteering at the Career Intensive Boot Camp, the MSIT Career Advisory Council, and various virtual alumni panels. He says the best part about volunteering is seeing students he's worked with attain a job they love.
"It's so important to continue to help people start networking in the career field as a student," explained Coffey. "To do that, they need to have people to network with. It's an awesome feeling to know you've helped someone get to where they want to be."
Coffey says he especially enjoys working with students and serving as a model for what an advanced degree can provide, especially students who may face obstacles as a first generation student, or those from a low socio-economic background.
"I give that time because I know what it's like to be a student that needs guidance on how to grow in your career," explained Coffey. "I think it's important for us to give back to those who are coming up behind us."
Coffey said he was impressed with the Department of Alumni and Professional Engagement's virtual panels that continue to bring together students and alumni in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I know from being in the field how hard it is setting up a virtual environment and coordinating everyone to be where they need to be at the right time. They made it look so easy, and it was such a seamless experience."
Coffey's best advice to students has been to take care of their network and their reputation as someone who can be trusted and with whom people want to work.
"Establishing a concerted group of people in your industry who are doing similar things and can be advisers or role models is very important," advised Coffey.
"I'm really pleased I found the program, and that is why I want to give back," concluded Coffey. "It meant so much to me, and others should know about it.“
Gina Rodriguez ’18 recently joined other alumni on a virtual panel designed to help students navigate their internship experience this summer, especially in the work-from-home world.
Rodriguez, who moved to Chicago two months after graduation, says her first experience as an alumni volunteer was both fun and interesting. Although Rodriguez was an Orientation Workshop Leader and heavily involved as a student, her move to Chicago after graduation had previously kept her from volunteering. She was excited to share her story virtually with those who may be hesitant to make the kind of leap that she did.
“I had a really great experience at Bloom and I was really excited to help because my experiences could be valuable to students,” explained Rodriguez “I found that making a big leap is doable, even if you’re scared and wanted to give people motivation to do that same. It was nice to give back to my alma mater in some way.”
Rodriguez focused on the challenges of a work-life balance when working remotely and how young professionals can maintain their health and well-being in a world where employers have constant online access to employees. Her advice was to resist the urge to respond to off hour messages, make self-care a priority, and make time for family and friends.
“I feel we get caught up in the fact that we are so readily available to everyone all the time,” explained Rodriguez. “If you want to perform well you need to remember it’s ok to say no.”
Despite the challenges of staying at home during a global pandemic, Rodriguez says she has never been happier.
“I had time to settle in before COVID hit but it’s tough staying home in a city apartment with no yard.” Said Rodriguez “It’s Interesting and I’m taking it as it comes.”
Through such a whirlwind two years, Rodriguez encourages students and alumni alike to follow their dreams despite how intimidating some of the changes may be.
“The biggest thing I learned was just take that big leap, whatever that looks like for you,” shared Rodriguez. “As students, we think because we picked a major we have to stick with that path. That was me. But at the end of the day, I knew I wanted to do something bigger and that’s what drove me. Regardless of how difficult it may seem, you have to do what makes you happy.”
So impressed with a recent grad, Richmond County School District in Hamlet, NC just became Bloomsburg University's newest employer partner.
Richmond County Schools Asst. Superintendent for Human Resources, Julian Carter reached out to Petra Hester '19 via Handshake as a potential applicant. Hester did some research and began the hiring process, which included videoconferencing with each building principal and the Curriculum Coordinator. Carter said that Hester did so well during the hiring process, that the principals were competing for her.
"She was just absolutely fabulous," said Carter of Hester. "The thoroughness of her training and the knowledge quality she had was impressive. Everybody wanted her in their building. I don't know that I've ever seen a candidate more thoroughly prepared."
Hester was offered a second-grade teaching position at West Rockingham Elementary School. She accepted and will relocate to North Carolina this summer.
"Everybody was really nice and made me feel comfortable," recalled Hester. "I had a lot of time to research the school and felt confident throughout the process."
Carter said that Hester's training wasn't just apparent in the pedagogical sense, but also to the "soft skills" so many new grads tend to lack. Hester's preparedness is a testament not only to the academic coursework at BU, but also to her involvement with the Education Learning Community and her experience as a Community Assistant on campus.
"Not only was she clearly prepared to be a teacher, but she also had tremendous communication skills. It was obvious she had gotten interview preparation. She was on time, she was ready, she was motivated, and those are big reasons to hire somebody."
While his school district has been unfamiliar with Bloomsburg grads until now, Carter is anxious to start a partnership with the university. He was a participant last week in the PASSHE East Get Hired event, a joint effort from PASSHE schools in the eastern part of the state to prepare new graduates for professional life and connect them to actively hiring employers.
"Whatever we can do, we will," explained Carter. "I've been doing this for a long time, and I can tell when places are doing it right. What Bloomsburg did for this young woman, and the quality of the educator we are getting, is fantastic."
