The Future is Bright for Class of 2019

What’s ahead for Keene State’s Class of 2019? Plenty! This year’s graduates are launching careers in a wide range of fields, heading off to master’s and PhD programs, signing on with the armed services, and more. Here’s just a sampling. Check back regularly! We’ll add new names to the list as we learn of them.

Meghan Hayman, with a dual degree in elementary education and English/writing, will spend the coming year in the master’s program in special education at Keene State.

Art major Rachel Stearns will put her bachelor of fine arts degree to good use in her new job working as a first assistant for Amy Bennett Photography in Burlington, Vermont.

Political science major Meghan Liuzzo will be working toward a master’s degree in political communications at American University in Washington, DC.

Jennifer Nohara, an exercise science major, is heading to the University of Rhode Island, where she’ll be working on a master’s degree in kinesiology.

Elementary education major Elizabeth Sievering will be working with children on the autism spectrum at the New England Center for Children in Southborough, Massachusetts.

Criminal justice major Emily McPadden will be working as a full-time police officer in the town of Wells, Maine.

Rachel Graves, a dual major in biology and secondary education, has landed a job teaching biology at Salem (New Hampshire) High School.

Melissa Pierce, a health science major, has accepted a position as a therapeutic training and support worker/therapeutic mentor at the Northeast Center for Youth and Families in Easthampton, Massachusetts.

Business management major/theatre minor Robin Chaney is heading to the University at Buffalo in New York, where she’ll be working on a master’s in arts management.

Megan Long, a double major in anthropology/sociology and criminal justice studies, will be attending George Washington University to pursue a master’s degree in anthropology.

Savannah Bynum, a Spanish major, is moving to Costa Rica to work as a field manager for Maximo Nivel, an organization that creates study abroad and educational travel experiences for students, volunteers, and travelers.

Patricia Poitras, an English major, is heading to Towson University in Maryland, where she’ll be working on a master’s degree in professional writing.

Psychology major and communication minor Julia Skoolicas is heading to Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, where she’ll be working on a Master’s of Education in higher education and student affairs.

Charles Molloy, with one major in safety and occupational health applied sciences and a second in management, has landed a job as a safety manager with Clark Construction in Washington, DC. Charles interned with Clark last summer and was offered the job at the end of his internship.

Another safety major, Kevin Squires, will also be joining Clark Construction as a safety manager.

Derek Hall, a communication major, has accepted a position as digital marketing coordinator for Whetstone Station, a Brattleboro, Vermont, brewery and restaurant.

Sara Dugas, an English literature major and management minor, has landed a job as an executive recruiter with Pharmalogics Recruiting in North Quincy, Massachusetts.

Nursing major Julia Hannan has landed a job at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. She’ll be working on the Neurology medical/surgery unit. “I start in July – woohoo!!” she writes.

Matthew Thomas, also a nursing major, is headed to Dartmouth-Hitchcock as well. He’ll be entering the Operating Room Nurse Residency.

Olivia Stack, a health science/health promotion major, has accepted a position as a Health Education Coordinator at Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock .

Jenna Salkovitz, a health science/nutrition major, is pursuing a master’s degree in nutrition and health promotion at Simmons University in Boston.

Vincenso Scuderi, a health science/nutrition major, will be traveling to Seattle, Washington, to attend Bastyr University’s Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program.

Samantha Riley, a health science/nutrition major, has accepted a position with the Vermont Department of Public Health as a public health nutritionist.

Jesse Guerra, a secondary education/US history dual major, is heading to his hometown of Montreal, Quebec, Canada where he’ll be applying for teaching positions.

Several health science/public health majors with an option in nutrition have been accepted into nine- to 12-month post-baccalaureate dietetic internships, with some pursuing a master’s degrees at the same time. This is the next step in the process of becoming a nationally credentialed registered dietitian. The students, and their internship locations, are:

• Jennifer Messer: Wellness Workdays, Hingham, Massachusetts, while working on a master’s in Exercise Science at Merrimack College
• Emily Parker: Wellness Workdays, Hingham, Massachusetts, while working on a master’s in Exercise Science at Merrimack College
• Emma Mattson: Medical City Healthcare in Dallas, Texas

Haley Kean, a studio arts major earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts, has two internships lined up, the first at The Carving Studio in West Rutland, Vermont, and the second at Zea Mays Printmaking in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Melissa Manson, a double major in elementary education and studio arts, has landed a job as executive director of the Walpole, New Hampshire, Art Program for the 2019-20 school year. She’ll be working with children ages 6-12 as an arts educator. At the same time, she’ll be working on a master’s in education at Keene State.

Safety major Samuel Binogono is heading to Denver, Colorado, where he has landed a job with Holder Construction.

Taylor Bisaillon, another safety major, has a rotational safety position with Parker Hannifin, a manufacturing company. She’ll spend her first year in the job working in Missouri.

Ashley Hoffer will be attending Merrimack College on a full scholarship, pursuing a master’s degree in student affairs and working in the academic success center. She is a theatre & dance major/dance option with a dance education specialization.

Heather Hunt, a theatre & dance major with an acting specialization, is heading to the United Kingdom to pursue a master’s in theatre performance at the University of Chichester.

Jacob Lavoie has been hired as assistant director for the Brian Clowdus production of The Noccalula Experience at Noccalula Falls Park in Alabama. Following that production, Jacob heads to Georgia to continue his work with Clowdus on the musical Hair at Serenbe Playhouse.

Mel Depew, an English major with a writing concentration, will be holding down a job with Chartwells as a food service provider at Keene State’s dining commons while looking for a professional position, ideally in the nonprofit sector. “I’d like a job where I can learn new things and help people,” says Mel.

Brandon Heath, who majored in architecture, will be working in the solar industry in the Boston area.

Criminal justice major John Tarascio has a position with the Connecticut Department of Corrections.

With a double major in public health and safety, Niamh Dodd has accepted a managerial position in occupational safety with a New York City construction company. From there, she hopes to head to nursing school.

Steven Hamel, a communication major, will be working as a job and life skills coach at the Adelbrook School in Middletown, Connecticut, while working on a graduate degree in human and family services.

Veronica Tomasko, with majors in communication and psychology, has joined the US Navy. She is awaiting word on Officer Candidacy School.

Safety major Jacob Chiza is heading to Detroit, Michigan, where he’ll be working as a safety coordinator for Granite Construction.

Rebekah Chiasson, a communication major/psychology minor, is heading for graduate school in communication studies at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb. Rebekah, whose plan is to earn a PhD and become a communication professor, thanked the faculty in the Communication Department for “making my time so memorable and informative.”

J. J. Downey, a safety major, has landed a job with Safety Marking Inc. in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He starts work at the end of the August. In the meantime, he plans to travel around the United States and to Italy over the summer.

Samantha Sullivan, a dual major in math and education, is applying for teaching jobs in Spanish-speaking countries including Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Chile.

Communication major Abby Shepherd is heading to Orlando, Florida to take part in the Disney College Program.

Jennifer Carlson, a business major with a marketing specialization, has accepted a job as a demand planning analyst with Keene-based C&S Wholesale Grocers.

Safety major Bobby Carey is heading to Australia for the summer. He’ll be playing for the Wanneroo-Joondalup Lacrosse Club.

Sociology major Molly St. Germain has landed a full-time job in Keene with Easter Seals, a nonprofit that works with the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth, and Families, ensuring that families and homes are safe.

Taylor Brewitt, a safety major, has landed a job at Capaccio Environmental Engineering in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she will be an environmental health and safety professional. She’ll also be planning her wedding to fellow Keene State Class of 2019 grad Thomas Guglielmo.

Jordan Pierce is heading to Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts. She’ll be pursuing a master’s degree in counseling and dance movement therapy certification. Jordan is a double major in criminal justice studies and psychology, with minors in dance and sociology. Her major life goal is to work in the juvenile justice system and counsel girls who are incarcerated utilizing dance as a form of reward, self-expression, and exercise.

Sydney Olson, a psychology major, will be working on a master’s degree in higher education administration at Southern New Hampshire University.

Kyra Burns is heading to Nashville, Tennessee, where she will be teaching fifth-grade science. She graduates with a BS in elementary education and a BA in psychology.

Safety major Anthony Jennings is weighing job offers with Feeney Brothers Utility Services in Boston and Riggs Distler in Vermont.

Sarah Otterbeck, majoring in mathematics with minors in statistics and physics, is heading to Clemson University in South Carolina. She’ll be pursuing a PhD in mathematics.

Courtney Votto will be looking for work in human resources in either Connecticut or New York City. She is a psychology major.

Safety major Ainsley Deschenes has lined up a graduate-level internship at BAE Systems for the summer, and has been accepted to the master’s program in safety & occupational health applied sciences at Keene State for the fall.

Julia Babbitt, an exercise science major with a concentration in human performance and a minor in addictions, has landed a job with the Northern Middlesex YMCA in Middletown, Connecticut, as a group exercise coordinator, personal trainer, and small group instructor.

Julie Elwell, a geography major, will be working as a GIS intern for the town of Peterborough, New Hampshire, doing database management and updating for the Fire Department in addition to other GIS mapping tasks including storm-water mapping.

C.J. Klem, a geography major/environmental studies minor, is heading to grad school. He’ll be studying urban planning and GIS at either Northeastern University or the University of North Carolina – Charlotte.

Nursing major Hilmarie Javier-Jimenéz has lined up a job with in the general surgery unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Victoria Vincent, a nursing major, will be working on the pediatric unit at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. “It’s my dream job,” she says.

Olivia Thom, a nursing major, has a job at Boston Children’s Hospital as a pediatric nurse.

Nursing major Jenna Egan will be working as a critical care nurse at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut.

Maggie Peck, also a nursing major, will be an oncology nurse at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

Seniors, tell us your plans and we will add you to the list. Email Jane at jeklund@keene.edu, and include your name, major, job title, company/agency name and location, or grad school program and degree you’re seeking along with the name and location of the university.