Student-Alumni Networking
Break Through, Susquehanna’s annual student-alumni networking conference, connects you to alumni who have been where you are and want to help you as you move toward graduation and beyond. Whether you are in your first or last year at Susquehanna — or somewhere in between — Break Through has something for you.
In addition to the Break Through conference held on campus each year, you can take a Career Trek to visit alumni working in major cities. From both options, you’ll get tips on everything from making the most of your college experience to making friends after graduation and landing your first job.
Take advantage of these free networking opportunities, open to all majors in all class years. And who knows? It could lead to an internship or even a job!
Break Through 2023: February 6–11, 2023
Find information about this year’s schedule and panelists below.
Students can register on Handshake.
Monday, February 6
With:
-
Seth Joseph ’19 (marketing major)
Director of Philanthropy, Susquehanna Valley United Way -
Fiona Wilkes ’11 (marketing and human resource management major, advertising minor)
Director of Development and Communications, Liberations Program, Inc.
With:
-
Jahine Brown ’19 (computer science major)
Application Developer, Accentur -
Chad Hallinan ’12 (computer science and philosophy major)
Software Engineer, Capital One -
Julie Vega ’12 (mathematics secondary education major, computer science minor)
Upper School Mathematics Teacher, The Maret School
With:
-
Jered Eastmond ’21 (digital multimedia broadcasting major, theatre minor)
On-Air Talent and Promotions Assistant, Beasley Media Group -
Jordan Jansson ’20 (communication studies and studies in early education major)
Promotions Coordinator, Bonneville International -
Carly Rogers ’20 (communication studies major, sports media and film minor)
On-Air Personality, Seven Mountains Media -
Jay Sauerman ’20 (creative writing and publishing & editing major)
Marketing Manager, 88.5 WFDD Public Radio
With:
-
Alexander Eby ’15 (business economics major)
Manger, Listed Derivatives, Coinbase
Tuesday, February 7
With:
-
Brian Zuidervliet ’14 (earth and environmental science major, mathematics minor)
Environmental Engineer IV, CDM Smith -
Jaclyn Sumner ’03 Stannard (geological & environmental science major)
Stormwater Program Administrator, Town of Garner
With:
-
Bob Hauer ’02 (broadcasting major)
On-Air Personality, iHeartMEdia -
Alexa Gonzalez ’19 (sports media and Spanish studies major)
Senior Account Executive, Taylor -
Kirsten Hatton ’19 (sports media major, business minor)
Associate Producer, ESPN
With:
-
Julie Bishop ’03 Snyder, D.M.A. (music performance major)
Snyder School of Singing -
Kimmy Carney ’15 (music performance major)
Owner, Keyboard With Kimmy -
Kirsten Williams ’15 (music performance major and religious studies major)
Owner, Nurtured Creativity
Wednesday, February 8
With:
-
Rhonda Bowen ’81 (German, business administration and PA teaching certification major)
Cross-Cultural Communication Coach, Bells -
Anna Nisley ’17 (public relations major)
Talent Acquisition Coordinator, Flywheel Digital
With:
-
James Hahn ’16 (accounting major)
Manager, Deal Advisory, KPMG -
Jamie Malachowski ’09 Hindman (accounting)
Global Finance Leader - Technical Accounting and DOA, Cortiva Agriscience
Founder, Team Positively Healthy -
Lynn Castaldo ’96 Pipitone (accounting major)
Accounting Manager, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
With:
-
Megan Annecchiarico ’19 (public relations major, Spanish studies and leadership minor)
Senior Account Executive, BML Public Relations -
Melissa Barracato ’20 (advertising and marketing and Italian major)
Account Executive, Coyne PR -
BreAnna Cherry ’20 (public relations major, French studies and political science minor)
Account Executive, The Decker/Royal Agency -
Erin Wetmore ’20 (public relations and German studies major)
Account Executive, Vault Communications
Thursday, February 9
With:
-
Julie Benco ’20 (earth and environmental science major, environmental studies and business administration minor)
Regional Planner, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission -
Luke Rivera ’19 (environmental studies major)
Environmental Health and Safety Program Manager, Google -
Anthony Wojciechowsky ’20 (environmental studies and English literature major)
Graduate School Student, University of Colorado
With:
-
Tiffani Lopez ’18 (history major)
College Counselor, Access Opportunity Colorado -
Nicole Wranovics ’13 (history and psychology major)
Senior UX Researcher, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
With:
-
Seamus Hanrahan ’21 (finance major)
Teacher Intern Program, Susquehanna University -
Ashley Rose Lynn ’17 (marketing major)
Director, Sales Enablement, MacroFab -
Dave Phelan ’12 (global management and finance major)
Co-Founder, Founders Approach and Podcast host -
Kyle Robertson ’11 (marketing and music major)
Master’s Degree Candidate, Global Strategy & Sustainability, University of Edinburgh
Friday, February 10
There are no Break Through events on Friday, February 10.
Saturday, February 11
In the Garrett Sports Complex Apple Community Room, with:
-
Kathy Boushie ’78 (psychology major, volleyball and field hockey player)
Retired Director of Health and Wellness, Meridian Health -
Madison Clark ’15 (religious studies, creative writing major, publishing & editing minor, softball and volleyball player)
Freelance writer -
Allison Grebe ’94 (human resource management major and field hockey and lacrosse player)
Senior Associate Director of Annual Giving, Trinity College -
Nicole Komara ’17 (neuroscience major, women’s basketball player)
Surgical Physician Assistant, St. Luke’s University Health System -
Shannon McGoey ’22 (psychology major and swim team member)
Fitness Professional, Meritt Clubs -
Kimberly Kane ’96 Palmer (elementary education major and soccer player)
Learning Support Teacher, Central Bucks High School East -
Tessa Rendina ’21 (global management major and soccer player)
Admission Counselor, Susquehanna University -
Erin Weller ’05 Smith (psychology and Spanish studies major, volleyball player)
Assistant Professor of Psychology, Susquehanna University
In Benjamin Apple Meeting Rooms 1 & 2, with:
-
Alysha Melnyck ’14 (biology major)
Manager of Client Implementations and Onboarding, ECR’s Client Engagement Center -
Hannah Kronenwetter ’14 (chemistry major, economics minor)
Study Optimization Manager, Bristol Myers Squibb -
Christine Pulice ’08 (biology major, health care studies minor)
Pediatrician, Karabots Pediatric Care Center (CHOP) -
Michelle Arrigo ’22 (physics major, mathematics minor)
Engineer, Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory -
Cindy Falck ’91 Klus (physics major)
Senior Systems Engineer, L3Harris Technologies
Enjoy lunch in Evert Dining Room.
In Evert Dining Room with:
-
Viulka Arias-Guzman ’15 (international studies and Spanish major)
English and Spanish Teacher, Achieve Academy East, Fullbloom -
Tia Banks ’16 (public relations major)
Senior Marketing Communications Specialist, Comcast -
Torrance Cleveland ’00 (speech communications major)
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army -
Lisa Sangster ’01 Cleveland (information systems major)
Senior Product Support Specialist, Home Depot Technology Center -
Natasia Martin ’19 (neuroscience major)
OEP Program Manager, CUNY Building Performance Lab -
Ryan Mason ’13 (sociology major)
Senior Analytics Manager, Ruder Finn -
Martha Moncada ’12 Nyce (international studies major, speech communication, Italian studies minor)
Academic Advisor, Penn State Harrisburg
Enjoy lunch and network with alumnae who work in STEM fields.
In Benjamin Apple Meeting Rooms 1 & 2, with:
-
Larry Herrold, Jr. ’19 (history and religious studies major)
Seminarian/Graduate Student, United Lutheran Seminary
Archives Assistant, United Lutheran Seminary -
Claire Mulkey ’23 (management major, Italian studies minor)
Student, Susquehanna University -
Tessa Rendina ’21 (global management major)
Admission Counselor, Susquehanna University
In Benjamin Apple Meeting Room 3, with:
-
Brenda Laubach ’86 McFarland (marketing and management major)
Executive & Leadership Coach, Brenda McFarland Consulting -
Jennifer McGonigle ’95 (biology major)
Business Manager, Indie Strings
In Benjamin Apple Meeting Room 4, with:
-
Zachary Fowler ’09 (political science major)
Partner, Fowler Hirtzel McNulty & Spaulding, LLP -
David Getz ’78 (political science major)
Shareholder, Wix, Wenger, & Weidner -
Bijan Nekoie ’12 (international studies major, public relations minor)
Advisor, U.S. Department of Defense
In Shearer Weber Dining Rooms 1 & 2, with:
-
Jillian Mannarino ’18 (publishing and editing and creative writing major)
Administrative Coordinator, Contract Policy and Review Office, Mount Sinai Health System - Additional panelists TBA
In Shearer Weber Dining Room 3, with:
-
Madison Clark ’15 (religious studies and creative writing major, publishing and editing minor)
Freelance Writer -
David German ’84 (chemistry major)
Psychiatrist and Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, George Washington University Medical Center -
Andy Nagy ’08 (psychology major)
Senior Volunteer Engagement Specialist, American Red Cross
In Natural Sciences Building, Room 128 A & B, with:
-
Tara Cutshaw ’22 (biochemistry major, religious studies minor)
Shift Lead, Steep Hill Pennsylvania
Middle School Science Teacher -
Johanna Kantz ’20 (biology major, theatre minor)
Cell Banking Scientist 1, Eurofins Biopharma Product Testing -
Hannah Kronenwetter ’14 (chemistry major, economics minor)
Study Optimization Manager, Bristol Myers Squibb -
Alysha Melnyck ’14 (biology major)
Manager of Client Implementations and Onboarding, ECR’s Client Engagement Center -
Jack Preston ’21 (biomedical sciences major)
Scientist, Eurofins Scientific
In Benjamin Apple Meeting Rooms 1 & 2, with:
-
Madison Clark ’15 (religious studies and creative writing major, publishing and editing minor)
Freelance Writer -
Sarah Myers ’12 (history - secondary education major, art history minor)
Public Services Librarian, Messiah University -
McKenzie Sweet ’18 (early childhood education major, psychology minor)
3rd Grade Teacher, Danville Area School District -
Ashley Spoto ’17 (self-designed major - luxury brand communication and marketing)
Senior Planner, L’oreal Paris
In Benjamin Apple Meeting Room 3, with:
-
Tia Banks ’16 (public relations major)
Senior Marketing Communications Specialist, Comcast -
Valarie Bastek ’06 (public relations and religious studies major, Spanish studies minor)
Vice President, Digital Operations, Wyndham Hotels -
Lauralee Bent-Holloway ’14 (communication studies major, Spanish studies minor)
Vice President, Engagement Marketing Strategy, J.P. Morgan
In Benjamin Apple Meeting Room 4, with:
-
Viulka Arias-Guzman ’15 (international studies and Spanish major)
English and Spanish Teacher, Achieve Academy East, Fullbloom -
Katie Patschke ’15 (international studies and anthropology major, studio art minor)
Major Gifts Manager, Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital -
Kyle Robertson ’11 (marketing and music major)
Master’s Degree Candidate, Global Strategy & Sustainability, University of Edinburgh
In Shearer Weber Dining Rooms 1 & 2, with:
-
Matt Curran ’92 (finance major)
Executive Vice President, Sompo International -
Stacy Koppenhaver ’92 (finance major)
Financial Crimes Manager/Asst. BSA, Members 1st Federal Credit Union
In Natural Sciences Building, Room 128 A & B, with:
-
Matt Gilbert ’98 (biology major, sociology minor)
Professor of Medicine, Director of Endocrine Fellowship Program in the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and the University of Vermont Health Network Director of Diabetes -
Ian Jones ’16 (biology major)
ICU RN, Lancaster General Hospital -
Nikki Komara ’17 (neuroscience major)
Surgical Physician Assistant, St. Luke’s University Health System -
Christine Pulice ’08 (biology major, health care studies minor)
Pediatrician, Karabots Pediatric Care Center (CHOP) -
Laura Scales ’17 (biology major)
Administrative Supervisor, UPMC Asbury Heights -
Laura Spence ’17, DMD (biology major, Spanish studies and chemistry minor)
General Dentist, Electric City Dentistry
In Shearer Weber Dining Room 3, with:
-
Michelle Arrigo ’22 (physics major, mathematics minor)
Engineer, Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory -
Cindy Falck’91 Klus (physics major)
Senior Systems Engineer, L3Harris Technologies -
Jacob Trevino ’02 (physics and mathematics major, art history minor)
Chief Executive Officer, Chemeleon
In Benjamin Apple Meeting Rooms 1 & 2, with:
-
Stephanie Chan ’13 (public relations and finance major)
Vice President, JP Morgan Chase -
Matt Curran ’92 (finance major)
Executive Vice President, Sompo International -
Megan McMullen Blue ’02 (public relations major, political science minor)
Senior Director of Major Gifts, White Plains Hospital
In Benjamin Apple Meeting Room 3, with:
-
Drew Kruger ’12 (marketing major)
Senior Recruiter Accounting and Finance, Vacco -
Joshua Marren ’22 (marketing major, professional sales minor)
Associate District Manager, Small Business Services, Sales, ADP -
Charles McLeskey ’68 (biology major)
Senior Field Physician-Movantik, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals -
Katie Shields ’19 (advertising and marketing major)
Inside Sales Rep, Small Business, Dell Technologies
In Benjamin Apple Meeting Room 4, with:
-
Viulka Arias-Guzman ’15 (international studies and Spanish major)
English and Spanish Teacher, Achieve Academy East, Fullbloom -
Sandra Altman ’11 (communication studies major, Spanish studies minor)
Director of Admissions, Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering -
Craig Housenick ’98 (theatre major)
Owner, CEO, CmhDesign -
Katie Patschke ’15 (international studies and anthropology major, studio art minor)
Major Gifts Manager, Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital
In Shearer Weber Dining Room 3, with:
-
Bethany Slear ’16 (publishing & editing and German studies major, creative writing minor)
Program Director of Experiential Learning, Bucknell University -
Devin Rossi ’20 (marketing major, psychology and leadership minor)
Business Analyst, EAB