2012 Who's Who Among Students
in American Universities and Colleges

♦Christine Aloia, Psychology and Criminal Justice - Uxbridge ♦Alexis Kay, Special Education - Gardner
♦Kaitlyn Audette, Health Education - Somerset ♦Sarah Legasse, Physical Education - Rehoboth
♦Melissa Brulotte, Chemistry - Weymouth ♦Jessica Landry, Criminal Justice - Waltham
♦Kimberly Bryant, Psychology - Pembroke ♦Stephanie Lannon, Physical Education - Swampscott
♦Ashley Caouette, Physical Education - Blackstone ♦Caitlin Larracey, English - Carver
♦Katrina Delaney, Sociology, Pembroke ♦Kelly McLaughlin, Physical Education - Marlborough
♦Gina DeMaio, Accounting and Finance - East Bridgewater ♦Christine Michelson, Special Education and Sociology - Braintree
♦Constantine Dourountoudakis, Physics - Ludlow ♦Diana Ramos, Political Science and Philosophy - Worcester
♦Michaela Ferreira, Physical Education - Fall River ♦Nicole Sauber, Sociology - Millbury
♦Brent Gleason, Accounting and Finance - Framingham ♦Kathleen Thompson, Management - Woburn
♦Lisa Goodspeed, Accounting and Finance - Medway ♦Britanee Vallone, Physical Education - Avon
♦Michelle Hacunda, Communication Studies - Lakeville ♦Kristy VanKleef, Early Childhood Education and English - Osterville
♦Missouri Handy, Elementary Education and Spanish - Boston ♦Rochelle Walbridge, Accounting and Finance - Brockton
♦Melissa Hughes, Mathematics - Millville ♦Katie Wilber, Special Education - Plymouth
♦Lara Joyce, Geography - Southborough ♦Heidi Woofenden, Psychology - Middleboro
♦Jessica Karner, Psychology and English - Hopkinton  

 

 With a double major in psychology and criminal justice, Christine Aloia impressively carries minors of study in biology and chemistry. She participated in five undergraduate research studies, serving as the primary investigator on two of the projects and presenting her work at national conferences. Christine is a tutor and teacher's aide for statistics, psychology and chemical principles. She is a member of BSU's chapter of Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology, serving as the organization's Vice President in 2009. As a proud sister of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority, Christine has participated in many leadership events and philanthropic work such as the Breast Cancer Walk in Boston, Relay for Life and the Brockton Boys and Girls club. As a junior delegate for Panhellenic Association she assisted in the recruitment process for sororities. As a student-athlete, she was a four year member and the 2009 team captain for an intramural volleyball team and a member of the  women's varsity volleyball team her senior year. Most recently, Christine has embarked on research pertaining to antibiotic resistant bacteria in agricultural runoff. Her thirst for knowledge and many research experiences has helped her to realize her aspirations of becoming a doctor and college professor.

Kaitlyn "Audette is a health education major with a concentration in school health who is the recipient of Bridgewater State Universities'  Health Education Student Major of the Year Award 2012 awarded by the American Association for Health Education. Kaitlyn conducted research supported by an Adrian Tinsley Undergraduate Research Grant on the recycling habits at BSU. She presented her research at the Mid-year Symposium at the university and at the American Alliance For the Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance National Convention in Boston. Kaitlyn has worked in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs since her freshman year, was promoted to a marketing intern her senior year and is valued mentor for new students working in the office.  As a peer educator, Kaitlyn has assisted in the design of ongoing campus-wide educational campaigns that promote a healthy lifestyle, including the "A Promise to Adam" campaign. Her on campus work experiences have allowed her to hone her leadership skills and important career skills. Kaitlyn has shared her classroom knowledge with local communities by teaching young kids about nutrition and first aid. She is an active member of Eta Sigma Gamma, a national health education honors society, for which she has served as both the secretary and treasurer.  As a class marshal, Kaitlyn will lead her class at graduation in May. She plans to pursue a master's degree and teach health education.

 

 

 

 Melissa Brulotte is chemistry major with a concentration in biochemistry and a minor in biology.  As a member of the departmental honors program, she completed a research project on improving the laboratory experiences for the Principles of Chemistry I course.  She has presented her research at several national and international symposiums and conferences, most notably, the Frühjahs Symposium in Germany. She is the recipient of several scholarships and awards, including a Dr. Adrian Tinsley Undergraduate Research Grant to support her project.  She has participated in the College of Science and Mathematics STREAMS National Science Grant as a structure learning assistant, tutoring students in general biology and chemistry. Melissa was instrumental in the founding of the biochemistry club and has held the positions of Treasurer and President. Sinceher application for the Who's Who program, Melissa has been accepted to several PhD programs at Harvard Medical School, Brown University, Tuft's Sackler School and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She hopes to obtain a PhD from one of these elite institutiuons and eventually become a professor.  

Kimberly Bryant is a psychology major who participates in the university's Honors Program.  Her honors thesis research has been supported by Dr. Adrian Tinsley Undergraduate Research Grants. Kimberly gained valuable research experience through the Boston University Early Childhood Sleep Research Study. She is very active in community service.  Through her work with FAM for Change, Kimberly mentored two high school students, volunteered at After School Homework Help at Brockton High and participated in  a food drive Halloween for Hunger event and  As a member of the Social Justice League, Kimberly is a part of the subcommittees for raising awareness events such as Tent City and the Disability Rights Student Panel. She helped plan and promote the Vow of Silence Day and volunteered at the WE Day youth rally in Toronto, Canada. 
Ashley Caouette presented a group paper on asbestos at the midyear symposium her freshman year.  Each year, as a physical education major, she achieved Dean's List status, and qualified for the MASCAC All Academic Team.  Ashley has also maintained the required GPA to allow her to keep the John and Abigail Adams scholarship for all four years. Over the years at BSU, Ashley has been an active participant in the field hockey team's Special Olympic Night, a sport activity evening designed for special athletes to be able to play games with varsity athletes. For the past four years, Ashley has raised money and walked in the Boston Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.  Last year she took part in organizing "Wheels for Wheels", a fundraiser for an assistant basketball coach who needed help repairing his handicap van. This fall she was elected to the position of senior co-captain for her field hockey team.  A member of the SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) since her sophomore year, Ashley took on the position of secretary her junior and senior years. Ashley has also been involved with the Bear TRACKS committee, organizing and taking part in such programs as midnight madness, kid's day, and pen pals. Last summer, Ashley was invited to compete in Australia for the USA Athletes International field hockey team.  She played with collegiate field hockey players from the east coast and her team won the championship.  Currently, Ashley is an assistant coach for the USA Field Hockey Association.

 

 Katrina Delaney is a sociology major with a stellar GPA and who has a passion to help her community. Katrina has become a huge aspect to the Fair Trade Towns and University Organization. She has put together a fair trade education plan for Bridgewater State University, which she has presented as her Summer Research Symposium. Katrina's sophomore year she interned with The Commonwealth Land Trust. This facility is a housing and social services non-profit organization that aims to preserve communities and prevent homelessness. In addition to helping preserve communities, Katrina also tutors young children through the School on Wheels program. Katrina helped turn an abandoned lot into a community garden for the residents of Boston. She has worked hard both in and out of the classroom while at BSU. She is a part of the departmental and commonwealth honors programs, and participated in numerous clubs and committees relating to her passion for social justice at BSU. In the future, Katrina plans on going to graduate school to eventually become a professor in sociology and intends on working in the non-profit world. (182)

 

 

Gina Demaio is an accounting and finance major with a concentration in accounting that has excelled academically as a member of the Dean's list every semester since she transferred to BSU in the spring of 2010. Since transferring to BSU, Gina has grasped the opportunity to get involved by becoming student program advisor for the office of student involvement and leadership's first year institute. Later, she became a family orientation leader as well as an orientation assistant in the summer of 2010 and the summer of 2011. In the fall of 2010, she became a founding sister of the Gamma Iota Chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority. In the spring of 2011, she became the coordinator of fundraising for Delta Phi Epsilon, and is currently the Vice President of Programming for Delta Phi Epsilon where she oversees a team of women who plan all the Chapter's fundraising, philanthropy, and community service.  After graduation, Gina plans to enroll in the MBA program for accountancy BSU.
Constantine "Dino" Dourountoudakis is a physics major who has been a huge presence on BSU's campus community. His involvement with the Residence Hall Association and the Sigma Pi Fraternity has given him both the leadership and professional skills he now values. Constantine's accomplishments run from the Dean's List his freshman through junior year and studying abroad in Greece in the summer of 2009. Apart from his on campus commitments, Constantine has also helped his community. Constantine was the Entertainment Chair for the organization Up ‘Til Dawn, which is affiliated with the St. Jude's Children's Hospital. He would meet with students on campus to organize an on-campus letter-writing event and come up with entertaining events for the children's hospital located in Tennessee. As far as the future goes for Constantine, the sky is the limit. He is currently working on his application to the Master's of Science in Accountancy graduate program here at Bridgewater, which he hopes to find a job in his field after he graduates in May.
Michaela Ferreira is a physical education major who has succeeded in her field with an impressive GPA. Since her freshman year, she has presented on adaptation games at MAPHERD, been a recipient of Dean's list every semester, and was a part of the MASCAC (Massachusetts Collegiate Athletic Conference) All Academic Team. Some of her physical education achievements are being a part of the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association All American Scholar Athlete from her junior to senior year and Capital One Academic All District One College Division Softball team. Michaela is very involved in her parish, Espirito Santo, working with the parish youth as a confirmation retreat team member, a young adult group member and as a lector and Eucharistic minister at weekly mass. Michaela shares her love of softball in her Fall River community and beyond as a volunteer softball instructor for the Fall River Police Athletic League, a clinician at the Roxbury Community Center, and as a volunteer assistant coach for the under 18 Fall River Force travel softball team. Michaela has been a starting player on the BSU softball team since freshman year and became a team captain for her junior and senior years.  She is a leader on the field, in the classroom, and for the Athletics Department with her work as a student-athlete representative on the BSU Hall of Fame committee, and as an Intramural Supervisor and Building Manager for the Tinsley Center. Currently, she is looking for a job that pertains to teaching physical education.
Brent Gleason has been on the Dean's List and the MASCAC All Academic Team, while participating in three sports since freshman year. His junior year, Brent chose to do an internship with Northwestern Mutual, where he produced life, health and accidental insurance policies. Brent has taken an active leadership role on his teams and for the Athletics Department since his sophomore year.  As a three sport student-athlete (cross country, indoor track, outdoor track), Brent was nominated to sit on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) his second year and has participated on that committee for the past three years.  This year, John Harper asked him to be on the campus wide Student Leadership Council, representing the SAAC at all meetings. For the past three years, Brent has helped manage the boys/girls one mile race for the Bridgewater Kids Road Race.  Brent has held the role of captain of the cross country and track teams since his sophomore year. He is looking forward to applying his skills to a future of finance so that he can reach his goal of becoming a CFO.
Lisa Goodspeed has integrated her classroom experience in accounting and finance through completing an internship with a professional staffing agency and participating in a summer study tour to China to learn about its culture and gain an international business perspective. Lisa was inducted into the National Residence Hall Honorary, a testament to her well regarded leadership and academic accomplishments. Her co-curricular activities at BSU include involvement in Program Committee, Student Government Association (SGA) and Residence Hall Association. Lisa's leadership roles on campus have been numerous. She served as a resident assistant and orientation leader for two years and is the treasurer for the Student Government Association overseeing the allocation of money to all  SGA recognized clubs at BSU. As a part of Program Committee, Lisa has served as the cultural program chair working with a committee of her peers to plan, advertise and implement events for the entire campus.  She serves as the vice-president of programming where she provides oversight to close to 100 events and advises executive board members to make sure events fulfill the mission of the organization. Lisa was recognized by the National Association for Campus Activities with a student leader award at the 2011 Northeast Regional Conference, an award given annually to only five student leaders from colleges in our region. She plans to further her education pursue a career in field of accounting or finance.
Michelle Hacunda is a communication studies major with a minor in English and U.S. Ethnic Studies.  Michelle represented BSU in the Fifth Annual Stonehill College Undergraduate Literary Conference last spring in the category of Subjectivities of the Visual. Michelle has undertaken a couple of other endeavors with writing during her time at BSU. She is employed as a Rondileau Campus Center Blogger and works to bring BSU's student together by keeping them up to date on current events and happenings through her weekly blog posts and columns.  She also wrote for and served as the News Editor for The Comment, BSU's student-run newspaper, during her freshman and sophomore years.  Michelle also served as the president of the English Society her junior and senior years.  She also balances her position as an Event Planner for the university's Conference and Event Services Office. Michelle has also put her communication studies to work for her by partaking in multiple news and public relations internships.  Michelle has interned with DePuy, Fox 25 News Boston, Covidien and Greenough Communications. After graduating Magna Cum Laude in January, she has started her first job at Mount Ida College as a web content specialist.

Missouri Handy is an elementary education and Spanish major, who has also made sure that she has had time to serve and give back to her communities. Missouri has made the Dean's List each of her four years at BSU and earned departmental honors in Spanish. She has complimented the education that she has received inside the classroom by living with a Spanish family and studying abroad in Spain her junior year. She has also been an active member of the Afro-Am Society and La Sociedad Latina (LSL) her entire BSU career. Missouri has also been amazingly active in serving her community. She served as the Volunteer Coordinator for the BSU Community Service Center for two years. Her service endeavors include; Project Bread's Walk for Hunger, serving the homeless population in Washington D.C. over spring break, the Children's Physical Development Clinic and Jumpstart AmeriCorps. Missouri has just recently returned from an Alternative Spring Break trip to Springfield, MA where she focused on inner city youth and education.

Melissa is a mathematics major from Melville and a student who has spent much of her time beyond the classroom immersed in service and social justice initiatives as a means to better the BSU campus and external communities that span the globe. In her sophomore year, she was a founding member of  the BSU chapter for Free the Children, whose efforts helped to fund a new school in Sierra Leone, Africa. As a resident assistant in East Hall, Melissa is committed to enhancing the residential experience for her peers. She held several leadership roles for the international service organization, Circle K,  including the New England District Board as the District Secretary/Treasurer and a Lieutenant Governor; and the BSU Chapter as the Executive Board as Secretary, Vice President, and President. Melissa served as a FAM for Change mentor to local Brockton High School students and has volunteered at Camp Sunshine with children who have life threatening illnesses. She spent her final Spring Break in March as the student trip leader for a service trip to Guatemala, and prior to this participated in a study tour to Cape Verde where she studied the culture and education system of the island. Melissa's passion for diversity and social change has developed her into a strong mentor, role model and leader. After graduation, Melissa hopes to become a Peace Corps volunteer to travel and help the world. 
Lara Joyce, more commonly known by her peers as Lj, is a confident young woman who engages in her studies in and out of the classroom. She has been to Ireland twice, once during a three-week study tour and another time during Bridgewater's exchange program. She was a presenter at the New England-Saint Lawrence Valley Geography Conference (NESTVAL) on a research project she conducted titled "Wetlands and its effects on surrounding neighborhoods." Lj is the student instituted coordinator for the first year institute, a group whose goal is to help first year students through the many challenges they may face their first year of college. She has participated in the orientation program for two summers and two winters. Lj has played rugby both for the University of Limerick in Ireland and BSU where she was President of the club sport in 2010. Lj is a sister of Gamma Phi Beta and has been the social chair. This March she will participate in an alternative spring break trip for only the Greek Community at Bridgewater to Texas. In the future, Lara hopes to join the Americorps National Civilian Community Corps program and then further her education by pursuing a masters in either urban planning and development or student affairs.
Jessica Karner maintains a stellar GPA with a dual major in psychology and English with a writing concentration. She is an active member of two honor societies, Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society and the National Residence Hall Honorary. As an academic advisor for Upward Bound, Jessica was able to integrate what she has learned in and out of the classroom by publishing the newsletters for the organization and advising students on making important college decisions. She has served on Relay for Life Planning Committee at BSU where she has held the leadership positions of Committee Chair and survivorship chair. Jessica's commitment to the quality of resident life is evident a through her work as a senior resident assistant and as the Vice President of Residence Hall Association. She has also served the national Residence Hall Honorary as its treasurer and vice president. Jessica is the recipient of multiple awards given by the Office of Residence life and Housing, including the Rising Star Award, Outstanding Programming Award in Individual Development and Diversity, NEACURH Top Ten Programming Award, and the Office of Student Affairs- Impact Award for Impactful Leadership. Jessica realized her career path through her many co-curricular experiences and plans to pursue become a student affairs professional in higher education.

 
Alexis Kay is a special education major who integrates her studies through a position as an ABA Tutor at Hanover High School where she works closely with an autistic student; creating, executing and reporting on a tutoring plan on a weekly basis. Alexis has been variety of BSU working at the front desk in Student Involvement and Leadership, being a member of Program Committee for two years, being a sister of Gamma Phi Beta to working as an orientation leader for three years, Alexis has given back to her community and worked to improve herself through all of these experiences. As a sister of Gamma Phi Beta, Alexis took on several leadership roles such as special events chairwoman and administrative vice-president. Plus, she represented Gamma Phi Beta in the Panhellenic Association and served as the executive vice-president of that group for two years. Through her experiences with Panhellenic, she was able to make an impact on the overall Greek community at BSU. Alexis took advantage of many other leadership experiences available at BSU which include participating in Leadership Institute, the Leadership Summit and the Greek Leadership and Development program as well as representing BSU twice at the Northeast Greek Leadership Association conference. Alexis plans to earn her master's degree in either speech-language pathology or student affairs.

 
Sarah Lagasse is a physical education major who has been on the Dean's List since she transferred to BSU her sophomore year. She has been on the MASCAC All Academic team for three sports (cross country, indoor and outdoor track) each year as well. During her junior year, Sarah was given the honor of being selected for the Adrian Tinsley Scholar Athlete award, given to the student-athlete who maintains a high GPA while excelling in his/her sport(s). Sarah was also selected to the Capital One CoSida Academic All District One College Division Women's Track and Field/Cross Country First team. Last year, Sarah attended the AAPERD and the MAHPERD conventions. At AAPHERD, Sarah shadowed the National Speaker, Artie Kimaya, president and managing editor of Great Activities Publishing Company. This fall, Sarah will attend Franklin Pierce University in hopes of earning an MBA in Sports Management sand aspires to someday become a collegiate track and field coach.
As a criminal justice major, it is clear that Jessica Landry is dedicated to her studies. Not only does she succeed academically with a 3.98 GPA, but she takes the knowledge learned in the classroom to the real world. During her junior and senior year, Jessica volunteered as an auxiliary police officer with the Waltham police department. Additionally, she interned with the Newton police department learning the ins and outs of public safety. She has also completed the Citizen's Police Academy through the Waltham police department and is a certified first responder. Her work in her major has provided her with the Outstanding Achievement in Criminal Justice Award. In addition to her work with the public, Jessica finds time to give back to the local community on campus. She serves as the Deputy Director of the Criminal Justice Student Organization and has volunteered with My Brother's Keeper, Circle K and coordinated a beanie baby drive to donate for local emergency services with children. Jessica has worked with inmates through the Alternatives to Violence Program with the Old Colony Correctional Facility and has participated in R.A.D, a self-defense class for women. It is clear that Jessica will take these experiences and skills with her as she prepares for her career as a future full time police officer.
Stephanie Lannon is a scholar athlete who majors in a physical science. Stephanie has immersed herself in her field of study outside of the classroom through intensive internships that presented her with opportunities to shadow physical therapists and trainers, evaluate client's fitness levels and to create and implement programs. Stephanie is a four year varsity athlete for both the women's Field Hockey, captain 2011, and Lacrosse Teams, captain 2012. She is student leader who is a three year member of Bear TRACKS, Teaching Responsible Athletes Challenging Knowledge through Service, and a peer mentor to freshmen athletes. In here community she spent time coaching Field hockey for the Bay State Games.  As a peer educator for the Outreach Education Program she has help design and plan a number health education programs on campus including the "A Promise to Adam" program, educating students on the effects of speeding and seatbelt awareness.  Stephanie plans to pursue a career within the strength and conditioning field and aspires to coach field hockey and lacrosse.
Caitlin Larracey is an English major with minors in Spanish, history and GLBT Studies. Caitlin was able to transfer in many of her credits from high school advance placement courses and has worked hard enough to graduate from BSU a year early. She is a member of both the honors program and Sigma Tau Delta, which is a honors society for English majors. Caitlin was also selected with five other students to participate in the Bridgewater-at-Oxford program. On campus, Caitlin has assisted others in their learning as a writing consultant in the writing studio and a writing tutor for the STREAMS Summer Bridge Program. Her involvement in the writing studio led her to become a senior writing consultant, where she has more say in the decisions of the Writing Studio and is an experienced consultant for younger consultants to follow. Caitlin has participated in many GLBTA Pride Center activities such as movie screenings, discussions and the World AIDS Day showcase. She even led a brown bag discussion regarding gender assignment in the United States. Outside of the Bridgewater community, Caitlin has volunteered with younger students at the Carver Primary School. Caitlin can recall an experience that "has been instrumental in [her] ability to relate ideas and teach others." She hopes to attend graduate school for English literature with a specialty in Shakespeare in order to pursue a career in higher education as a renaissance English professor.

 
Kelly McLaughlin is a physical education major with a concentration in teacher licensure in both k-8 and 5-12. As a member and secretary of the Physical Education Majors Club she coordinates events on campus and health fairs at surrounding high schools.   She completed her prepracticum at  Pakachoag Elementary School where she implemented class units and engaged in the Steps to Respect program. Kelly was a member of the varsity Women's Lacrosse team and participates on intramural sports teams. Kelly is an active student member of MAHPERD –(Massachusetts Association for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance)- and presented at the national  Convention. She is also a student member or American Alliance for health Physical Education Recreation and Dance. Kelly volunteers at the East Bridgewater YMCA as a life guard and for the Special Olympic event held annually at BSU. As a swim instructor and campus director at Wayside Racquet and Swim Club, Kelly has trained in a number of certification programs including, Red Cross, First Aid, CPR,  Ellis Life Guarding and water safety instruction.
Christine Michelson is a special education moderate disabilities and sociology major. Christine has participated in many activities including; academics, the arts, athletics and student involvement. She believes that above all, her participation with the BSU Buddies Program has been the most beneficial and rewarding. Christine created the BSU Buddies Program her freshman year of college. She recruited 25 members to take part in her non-profit organization, in hopes to bring awareness of the important issues regarding individuals with cognitive and developmental delays in the Bridgewater and Brockton areas. In the spring of 2011, Christine's organization received the Vice President of Student Affairs Award for Organization of the Year as well as the Community Service Helping Hands Award. In addition to these awards, Christine has been on the Dean's List since her freshman year and has held a GPA of 3.80 in Special Education and a 3.957 in Sociology. Christine's passion to bring an organization to the BSU campus that helps others is inspirational and she believes that her hard work here at BSU has been fulfilled. After graduation, Christine will plan to attain her Masters degree in severe disabilities in hopes of working with students.
As a political science and philosophy major, Diana Ramos has dedicated her BSU career to better her understanding of our society. During her junior year, she interned at Senator John Kerry's Office and conducted a directed study researching citizen outreach in regards to conservation efforts. From here, she applied and was accepted to the Washington Center Program where she interned at the Office of Surface Mining. This experience allowed her to explore development issues relating to rural watersheds. She has also participated in a study abroad trip to Costa Rica where she interned at Peace Organization and studied sustainable development. These internships inspired her Adrian Tinsley Research project that focused on the issue of food security. As a high achieving student, Diana has received multiple awards and scholarships such as the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society Award, the Robert A. Daniel African American Scholarship and has been recognized as a Rose Scholar throughout her time at BSU. Diana is a 2012 recipient of  the 29 Who Shine Award, an honor bestowed on the best and the brightest graduates from Massachusetts community colleges, state universities and the University of Massachusetts. She plans to spend time in the AmeriCorps program as well as participating in a graduate school program that includes environmental science and public policy.
Nicole Sauber has excelled academically as sociology major with a 3.99 GPA. Within her major, she is concentrating on global studies and also minors in geography and communication studies. Nicole has conducted two directed studies that focus on social issues and an additional undergraduate research project which focused on the impact of international service work on the academic and cultural experiences of BSU students. She has gone on two study tour trips; one to Tanzania where she volunteered at a community center, and one to Nicaragua to study the process of coffee making. In addition to her academic trips, she participated in an international service trip to Belize where she helped teach classes and repaint a school. As the former secretary, president, and public relations chair of the Social Justice League, Nicole has increased the awareness of important social issues such as homelessness, poverty, and hunger while making long-lasting changes to campus policy. She is also involved in Free the Children, the fair trade committee, the GLBTA Pride Center, The Comment newspaper, the recycling club, Students for Sustainability, Circle K, and Student Government Association. Her work in all of these groups has shown leadership, determination, and passion which she will take with her as she pursues graduate level work after graduation.
Kathleen  Thompson is a management major who completed a research paper on bribery and corruption in business that she presented at the Mid-Year Symposium at BSU. Katie has successfully balanced her academic goals while exploring many co-curricular activities as someone who is committed to her BSU community and to her personal development as a leader. She works as an event planner with the conference and events office, served as an orientation leader for three years, and been a member and leader within Program Committee since her freshman year. Katie was promoted to the position of student orientation coordinator, helping to welcome our new students and help coordinate the other orientation leaders and the activities of Welcome Week 2012. As a member of Program Committee (PC), Katie has been involved in the planning and implementation of many events for her peers at BSU. She has served as the Director of Finance, Vice-President of Membership and in her senior year as the President of the organization. Katie has led PC in a way that has encouraged more collaboration with other clubs on campus as well as creating a more welcoming atmosphere for new members. Katie has also represented BSU and PC at the National Association for Campus Activities regional conference two times where she presented an educational session about her experiences at BSU. She will lead her graduating class as a student marshal in May.  Katie aspires to work for TD Banknorth Garden as an event planner.
As a physical education major, Britanee Vallone is dedicated to her craft. While pursuing her career in teaching, she has gained rich field-based experience observing and working with a physical education teacher in a West Newton elementary school. On top of her practical training, she participates as a clinician with the Children's Physical Development Clinic and held several related jobs as a lifeguard/swim instructor for the YMCA and Avon Recreation. She has also been honored by the Massachusetts Association for Health Recreation and Dance with the Outstanding Future Professional Award. Her leadership roles on campus can be seen in her position of president for the physical education majors club and her committed involvement in BSU Buddies. Britanee recently started her practicum experience at Broadmeadow Elementary school in Needham and after she graduates, she hopes to attend graduate school in her field of study.

Kristy VanKleef is an early childhood education major with a minor in special education and psychology. She is an avid participant in activities both on and off campus in determination to become a better professional and to increase her learning. Kristy has been on the Dean's List here at BSU for five years, and was a part of Kappa Delta Pi's National Honors Society. She is a big part of the Resident Life and Housing Association, where she spoke on behalf of the student body here at BSU and created fun activities for residence life. Kristy has a passion to help people. She is a clinician for the Children's Physical Developmental Clinic and volunteers in service projects through her involvement with Circle K. As an active member of Residence Hall Association, Kristy is passionate about engaging in her residential community.  She has also won gold and silver medals in the equestrian Special Olympics, and is working diligently toward her dream of becoming a Kindergarten teacher by earning her Masters degree in education here at BSU.
Rochelle Walbridge is an accounting and finance major who has achieved many things throughout her time here at BSU. She was a part of the Commonwealth Honors during her freshman and sophomore years, the Departmental Honors her junior year and achieved the Dean's List her freshman through junior years. Rochelle was lucky enough to take part of the Nicaragua Study Tour her senior year. Rochelle's biggest achievements have come from her hard work as the Pride Center assistant to the GLBTA community. Her position there has helped her develop professional leader skills that gained knowledge about the GLBTA community and plan monthly events. Rochelle believes in helping others including her community and how acceptance is of importance.
Katie Wilber is passionate about national and international issues relating to social justice.  She participated in two international study tours located in Tanzania and in Cape Verde. On campus, Katie was part of the campaign to promote Fair Trade practices at the university. Locally, she was active with Project Compass, a regional initiative to assist underrepresented students succeed in and graduate from college.  As part of the FAM for Change mentoring program and the C5 Teen Leadership Program she mentored teens at high risk of dropping out of high school. Katie was the co-founder and president of the BSU chapter of Free the Children whose mission is to eliminate poverty, exploitation, and oppression. Katie was selected for the honorary role of student speaker at the Winter Commencement Ceremony in January 2012. She is currently an America Corps member and working in Providence as an ESL Elementary teacher. 
As a psychology major, Heidi Woofenden engaged in research investigating body image of Muslim women which resulted in travel to Jordan to collect data, several presentations at symposia, a publication in the Undergraduate Review, an award of an undergraduate research grant to develop this data into her honor's thesis.  Heidi served as the president and secretary of the Psi Chi Club and was involved in organizing events.  She also served as a peer tutor in psychology Heidi was involved in community service activities at Bridgewater Nursing Home and through the Community Service Center where she volunteered at MainSpring House in Brockton, An Audubon Society Wildlife Sanctuary in Westport, and the Veteran's Transition House in New Bedford.  She also served a one-year term as vice president of the Community Service Center.  On campus, Heidi was a member of the Social Justice League and participated in numerous events.  She was a member of the Recycling Club where she helped organize events and activities.  She was member of an a cappella choir.  Heidi performed with the Khakatay African Drumming ensemble in concerts for charitable events and organizations.  Her involvement in the Social Justice League and engagement in volunteer activities has led Heidi to set a life goal to become part of AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps. While currently looking for a full-time job in psychology, Heidi hopes that she could gain some experience before pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology.  

Last Modified: April 12, 2012