Alumni Updates & Recognitions

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Louis Rodriguez
Office of Alumni Engagement

Louis Rodriguez, PE ‘91 was recognized by The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia for his contributions to workforce development

Louis Rodriguez, PE ’91 was recently recognized by The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia for his contributions to workforce development. In 2020, Rodriguez launched Rodriguez University, a workforce development initiative, designed to create career pathways in infrastructure for young adults from under-served communities. This initiative began by training six individuals and eventually grew to include 16 participants, with funding from the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce. 

Rodriguez is the president and founder of Rodriguez Consulting and graduated with a degree from Widener University in civil engineering. He has also served as a University trustee since 2017.

Lydia Flinner
Office of Alumni Engagement

Lydia Flinner ’21 was named the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year

Lydia Flinner ’21 was named the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year by University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Flinner, who earned a nursing degree from Widener’s Family Nurse Practitioner graduate program, is a nurse practitioner who specializes in general surgery and breast surgery at Leader Surgical Associates-UPMC in central Pennsylvania. 

This award recognizes Flinner as an outstanding APP who demonstrates the highest commitment in supporting the vision, mission, and goals of UPMC through her work and clinical practice. As a nurse practitioner, Flinner exhibits an exemplary performance as a role model, mentor, collaborator, and relationship builder across the spectrum of health care delivery.

Robert Hickey
Office of Alumni Engagement

Robert Hickey, PhD. '07 was selected as the 2025 recipient of the John H. Dillon Medal

Robert Hickey, PhD. '07, associate professor of materials science and engineering in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State University, will receive the American Physical Society’s 2025 John H. Dillon Medal. The medal, awarded annually since 1983, recognizes the exceptional early career research accomplishments of young polymer physicists. Hickey will receive the award at the APS Global Physics Summit in March 2025 in Anaheim, California.

Hickey’s research involves pioneering nonequilibrium structured soft materials. He previously received a National Science Foundation Early Career Development Award for this work. 

Prior to joining Penn State in 2016, Hickey was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Minnesota. He received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Widener University and his doctorate in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania.

Sean Wagner
Office of Alumni Engagement

Sean Wagner ‘02 receives Hank Nuwer Anti-Hazing Hero Award

Sean Wagner ’02 was presented with the prestigious Hank Nuwer Anti-Hazing Hero Award at a recent Phi Delta Theta event in Atlanta, Georgia. Wagner, the Phi Delta Theta Executive Vice President and CEO, was recognized for his leadership in anti-hazing initiatives within Phi Delta Theta and the Greek community. His work has raised awareness about the dangerous consequences of hazing and promoted a safer environment for fraternity members. Wagner is dedicated to fostering a brotherhood built on respect, safety, and mutual support, reinforcing its ongoing mission to lead the way in eradicating hazing.

Wagner graduated from Widener University with a degree in communications. He currently serves on the Alumni Council. In addition, he holds a Master's in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from Northern Kentucky University.

Valerie Stacy
Office of Alumni Engagement

Valerie Stacy ’03, was promoted to the rank of Colonel in the United States Army

Valerie Stacy ’03, was promoted to the rank of Colonel in the United States military in front of the flag pole located outside of Old Main on Widener's Chester campus. Stacy graduated from Widener University with a degree in nursing and participated in the ROTC program as a student. Upon graduation, she was stationed at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, DC, and later at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. 

Stacy was also deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom, and was later deployed to New Orleans, Louisiana to assist with rescue and clean-up efforts after Hurricane Katrina. She is currently stationed in San Antonio, Texas at Fort Sam Houston Army Base with her husband and two children, Lauren and Chase.

Alisha Cooper
Office of Alumni Engagement

Alisha Cooper, MPA '15 has joined Dover Federal Credit Union as a Mortgage Loan Originator

Dover Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce that Alisha Cooper, MPA '15 has joined the Credit Union, as a Mortgage Loan Originator. Cooper brings a wealth of knowledge and 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry.

Cooper holds an MPA from Widener University and comes with a plethora of experience and passion about increasing homeownership.

Corey Smith
Office of Alumni Engagement

Corey Smith ‘96 has been named the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP

Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP is excited to announce that Corey Smith '96 has joined the law firm as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Smith comes to Klehr Harrison after nearly 16 years at Dechert LLP, where he also served as COO. Smith has over 27 years of experience in financial and operational management, performance improvement and regulatory compliance. 

In addition to his former role as COO at Dechert, he previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Director of Global Financial Operations, where he was instrumental in centralizing and consolidating the financial functions to support the firm’s growing global footprint. He is adept at successfully completing key strategic initiatives, including operational performance improvement, revenue enhancement and cost reduction initiatives.

Smith holds a degree in accounting from Widener University.

Donna Dorozinsky
Office of Alumni Engagement

Donna Dorozinsky '89, Founder and CEO of Just in Time GCP, has been recognized by Inc. 5000

Donna Dorozinsky '89, the Founder and CEO of Just in Time GCP, was recognized by Inc. 5000 for her fourth consecutive year. Just in Time GCP focuses on optimizing the quality of clinical research, and was named to the list for consistently driving rapid revenue growth while successfully navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and hiring challenges. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the country's most successful independent entrepreneurial businesses. 

Dorozinsky attended Gwynedd Mercy University where she earned both an A.D. and B.S. in Nursing and later received a Master’s in Nursing from Widener University. Recognized as a leader in the industry, she was a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Philadelphia region in 2022 and a finalist for the PACT Life Sciences CEO of the Year in 2024. The company was also named one of JP Morgan's 50 Fastest Growing Woman-Owned Companies in 2021 and 2022. 

Joseph Mancuso
Office of Alumni Engagement

Joseph Mancuso, DEd. '14 has been inducted into the Connellsville Area Falcon Foundation Hall of Fame

Joseph Mancuso, DEd. '14 was recently inducted into the Connellsville Area Falcon Foundation Hall of Fame as a distinguished graduate of Connellsville Area High School. Mancuso was chosen for this honor due to his professional achievements in the field of education. He attended Edinboro University on a football scholarship and earned a history degree, later returning to teach and coach at Connellsville. Mancuso served the district in a variety of roles including as an assistant principal, high school principal and assistant superintendent.

In 2018, Mancuso accepted a position as superintendent of the Eastern York School District, which has received national recognition for its educational excellence, including being ranked as the best high school in Pennsylvania for seven consecutive years.

Mancuso also holds a master's degree from Shippensburg University and a doctorate in education from Widener University.

Michael Birdsall
Office of Alumni Engagement

Michael Birdsall '97 CPA, CFE, was named the 2024 Beta Alpha Psi Distinguished Accounting Alumnus

Michael Birdsall '97 CPA, CFE, was named the 2024 Beta Alpha Psi Distinguished Accounting Alumnus. Birdsall is Vice President of Credit Risk and Fraud Mitigation for Comcast Cable, leading all aspects of consumer risk mitigation strategies and operations. Since joining Comcast in 2002, he has been a driving force behind several significant risk-focused initiatives, such as developing and implementing the company’s whistleblower program and forming several risk management teams, including his current team. Birdsall has extensive experience in fraud risk management and was a task force member involved in developing COSO’s 2016 Fraud Risk Management Guide.

Prior to his current role, Birdsall held several senior leadership positions within Comcast’s Global Audit team, where he led CGA’s data analytics and automation programs, as well as a business integrity team, focused on investigating whistleblower complaints and conducting proactive fraud reviews. 

Before joining Comcast, Birdsall worked at KPMG LLP in their assurance and advisory practices. He holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Widener University. Birdsall resides in Malvern, PA with his wife and three children.

Robert Freiling
Office of Alumni Engagement

Robert Freiling '08 has been appointed Director of Human Resources for Central Bucks School District

Central Bucks School District is proud to announce that Robert Freiling '08 has been appointed Director of Human Resources. Freiling comes to the district from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where he served as director of human resources for the hospital's food services provider. 

As the principal leader for an on-site team serving 330-plus members in a complex Ivy League healthcare environment, Freiling implemented strategies to optimize internal job posting, external recruitment, pre-employment hiring, and on-boarding processes. His responsibilities included overseeing compensation, benefits, workplace safety, labor relations, and employee recognition and engagement. Freiling has also worked at Franklin & Marshall College and the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

He graduated from Widener University in 2008 with a degree in government and politics and earned his Master of Business Administration from Holy Family University in 2014.

Aaron Green
Office of Alumni Engagement

Aaron Green '19, has joined Villanova University as Assistant Coach of Swimming and Diving

Villanova University is proud to announce that Aaron Green '19 has been named the Assistant Coach of Swimming and Diving. Green comes to Villanova after spending the last season at MIT as the men's and women's swimming and diving assistant coach. Before coaching, he logged a decorated swimming career at Widener University where he was a three-time MAC Swimmer of the Year.

Green was a part of an MIT staff that saw great success in the 2023-24 season, highlighted by a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Division III Championships by the women's team along with a pair of National Champions and a National Record performer in the 100 Back. 

Green graduated from Widener in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing. He also earned a master's degree in Higher Education Leadership at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia.

Chris Hazel
Office of Alumni Engagement

Chris Hazel ’16 has been named Director of Ticketing for the Reading Royals

Chris Hazel '16 will oversee the Reading Royals' ticketing department in his new role as Director of Ticketing. A Reading, Pennsylvania native, Hazel is entering his 11th season with the Royals. He started as an intern in 2014 while earning a degree in management at Widener University and became a full-time member in 2016 as a Client Development Executive. Since then, he has been promoted to Group Sales Manager, Director of Group Sales, and now Director of Ticketing.

Mark Mehok
Office of Alumni Engagement

Mark Mehok '96 joined MyOfficeOps as Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development

Mark Mehok '96 has been named Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development for MyOfficeOps, a West Chester, PA based company that specializes in accounting, bookkeeping, and business consulting services for medium-sized businesses.

Mehok, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Widener University, began his career as a physical therapist. He then earned an MBA from Penn State and pivoted to orthopedic medical device sales, where he grew his distributorship over the course of the next 22 years. 

Throughout his career, Mehok has routinely served on the advisory boards of several different companies, assisting them with their sales, strategic planning, and profitability.

Tiffany Brown
Office of Alumni Engagement

Tiffany Brown '92 has been appointed to the Board of Directors for Blessings in a Backpack

Blessings in a Backpack, the only national organization solely dedicated to feeding kids on the weekend, has appointed Tiffany Brown '92 of Atlanta, Georgia managing director of Alvarez & Marsal’s Corporate Performance Improvement division, as the board’s newest member. 

Brown joined Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) in April 2023, where she is the managing director and the North American solution leader for the CFO Services practice within A&M’s Corporate Performance Improvement division. In her role, Brown partners with Fortune 1000 companies to architect and execute transformational initiatives that fuel growth, right-size costs and create high-performing organizations. Brown has over 25 years of experience as a trusted advisor and delivery partner to C-suite executives.

Brown earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Widener University and a Master of Business Administration from Penn State University. 

Cynthia Horton
Office of Alumni Engagement

Cynthia Horton '84 '90, was named a recipient of the Dr. Peg E. Daw Nurse Faculty Award from the Maryland Higher Education Commission

Cynthia Horton ’84 ’90, Professor of Nursing at Cecil College in Maryland, was awarded the Dr. Peg E. Daw Nurse Faculty Award from the Maryland Higher Education Commission for her contributions to nursing education. Horton was honored for her teaching techniques which ensure that the nursing curriculum reflects the needs of future nurses in the workforce. Horton’s work on curriculum development has been published, and she has presented at national and international conferences. She has also served as an editor for the publication, Teaching and Learning in Nursing, a peer-reviewed journal that provides information on nursing education, practice, administration, and research.  

Horton earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Widener University and a doctorate at Immaculata University.

David Henriques
Office of Alumni Engagement

David Henriques, DEd. '96 '12 has joined the University of Southern Indiana as Executive Director for Student Success

The University of Southern Indiana is proud to announce that David Henriques, DEd. '96 '12 has been appointed the new Executive Director for Student Success. In this role, he will provide strategic leadership and vision to enhance student success, retention and graduation rates. Previously, Henriques served in a variety of faculty and administrative roles supporting student equity, transition, belonging, success, persistence and retention, and campus-wide academic advising programs. Most recently, Henriques served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Academic Advisement and Student Development at Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

Henriques earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and his master’s degree in clinical psychology, both from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. He also holds a master’s degree in adult education and a doctorate in higher education administration, both from Widener University.

Domenic Colasante
Office of Alumni Engagement

Domenic Colasante '10 has been named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 for the Greater Philadelphia region by Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP is pleased to announce that Domenic Colasante '10, CEO and Co-Founder of 2X, a pioneer in B2B-focused marketing, was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Greater Philadelphia Award winner. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the preeminent competitive awards program for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Candidates for this honor are evaluated based on their ability to create long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to their purpose, and demonstrating growth and substantial impact. As a Greater Philadelphia award winner, Colasante is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 National Awards. 

Colasante earned a degree in management from Widener University and currently serves as a university trustee. 

Williams George 260x300
Office of Alumni Engagement

George Williams ’84 was recently appointed the new Chair of the UL Research Institutes (ULRI) Board of Trustees

George Williams ’84 was recently appointed the new chair of the UL Research Institutes (ULRI) Board of Trustees, having served on the board since 2008. Williams is the retired former chair and Chief Executive Officer of PMI Energy Solutions. He has over 40 years of experience in the utility industry and has held executive and senior leadership roles at El Paso Electric Company, Exelon Corporation, Entergy Corporation, and Progress Energy. 

Williams brings nuclear energy experience from prior positions at PPL Corporation and PECO Energy Company. He also serves on the board of directors of UL Solutions Inc. Williams holds a degree in electrical engineering from Widener University and an MBA from Saint Joseph’s University.

Julie Dietrich 260x300
Office of Alumni Engagement

Julie Dietrich, Ed.D. '18 was named a 2024 trailblazer in higher education by City & State Pennsylvania

Julie Dietrich, Ed.D. ’18 was named a 2024 trailblazer in higher education by City & State Pennsylvania. Dietrich, who serves as the executive director for external relations at West Chester University, acts as the institution’s primary government relations officer, cultivating and sustaining relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials and their offices, and a liaison within the community. Through this position, Dietrich focuses on executing strategic community and economic development, as well as, facilitating communication and negotiating partnerships among key leaders to help leverage and optimize the use of institutional assets and address community needs.

Dietrich holds an Ed.D. in higher education leadership from Widener University, where she previously led government relations, and has taught philosophy and business at West Chester University. Dietrich also holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in philosophy from West Chester University.