����Թ�

Emily Burnell Petrou, '82, Erding, Germany, has lived in Bavaria since 1990 and is a singer and publicist with the English-Speaking Music Ensembles (ESME) in Munich, Germany, an organization of 160 musicians from more than 30 countries, comprised of an orchestra, singers and big band.

Andrea Dixon, BBA, BBF, '83, Ph.D., Waco, TX, was named the Lifetime Achievement Award winner by the American Marketing Association’s Sales Special Interest Group in 2024. Recognizing a scholar whose career has made a significant impact on sales scholarship, the Lifetime Achievement Award winner has had a personal impact on the field and other scholars, provided an enduring legacy through permanent contributions, shaped the field through a publication record and developed internal (to their institution) and external (to the wider field) programs.

Jeri Scheel, '88, MBA '91, Mableton, GA, has recently been promoted to vice president with Fiserv, Inc., the largest payment processor in the world. Jeri has spent 10 years with Fiserv, starting as a director, promoted to senior director in 2022 and now, vice president as of December 2024.

Kathleen Hohl, MA '91, Franklin, WI, was named manager of presidential communication at Marquette University in Milwaukee in September 2023. Kathleen prepares and reviews a wide variety of communications materials and staffs the university president at internal and external events. She previously served as Marquette's sports information director from 1991-2000.

Gabriel Delgado, BFA '98, Boca Raton, FL, recently published his second book, "Sidewalk Scars: The Misadventures of a Working-Class Rebel", which is available on Amazon. This marks the second publication in his academic career. His first book, "ART Unveiled: Gabriel Delgado’s Contemporary Chronicles – Perspectives on Art, Culture and Beyond," is also available on Amazon.

Karen Axelrad, '03, Miamisburg, OH, started a new job as a web content strategist at the University of Dayton (Dayton, OH) in October 2024. As a part of the University Marketing and Communications team, she creates and manages web content, assists in executing the university's overall digital marketing strategy and serves as a member of the Web Management Advisory Team.

Nidal Ibourk, '08, Laval, Quebec, Canada, graduated from ����Թ�, the School of Communications, with a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications. Her talent as a classical singer was recognized early in the Arab world after competing in the international music show "The Voice." Nidal has performed in major performing arts centers across the U.S., Canada and Europe, including the Institute of the Arab World in France, the New York World Music Institute, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, the Detroit Music Hall, the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C., Chicago’s Millennium Park, Oscar Peterson Concert Hall in Montreal and Canada’s prestigious Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

Kellie (Brookhart) Pendley, '08, MA '10, Bluffton, SC, has dedicated her career to K-12 education for the past 14 years, working in both public and private sectors as an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) director, teacher and district administrator overseeing assessment. Having also lived in Long Island, NY, and the Greater Boston area, she moved to the Lowcountry of South Carolina in 2020. In August 2024, Kellie transitioned to nonprofit work as the director of Education Programs at Bluffton Self Help in Bluffton, SC. In this role, she and her team support more than 300 adult learners, helping them advance their English skills, prepare for U.S. citizenship exams and interviews, work toward their GED and create pathways to personal success. Currently, Kellie is nearing completion of an Ed.D. through ����Թ�, focusing her research on engaging parents from diverse backgrounds in special education processes to address disparities in educational access and outcomes for culturally and linguistically diverse students.

Radhika Cruz, MA '15, Edmond, OK, announces the release of "Made for More: Overcoming Challenges and Disappointments to Live Confidently and with Purpose", now available on Amazon. This empowering guide provides readers with strategies to navigate life’s setbacks, embrace their strengths and build lasting self-confidence.

Through personal stories and actionable steps, "Made for More" helps readers transform adversity into growth opportunities. Whether tackling career challenges or personal struggles, this book equips readers to take bold actions and make confident decisions.

“Everyone faces challenges, but what defines us is how we rise from them,” says that author. “Made for More shows that setbacks are just stepping stones to greater success.”

Made for More is available in paperback format on Amazon.

Contact Radhika Cruz at rcruz2@kent.edu or learn more at radhikacruz.com.

Jerry O'Ryan, MPH 17, Dayton, OH, uses the degree he earned at ����Թ� State to teach Public Health at Sinclair College. He also chairs the Safety and Health Committee for the inner-city Dayton urbanization project and serves on Sinclair’s Foundation Board as a Trustee. Jerry occassionally contributes as a writer for Dayton Daily News, covering public health issues.

Brenna Parker, CCI ’17, Washington, DC, completed her tenure as digital director to Secretary Pete Buttigieg at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Brenna organized the Secretary Buttigieg's June 2024 trip to ����Թ� State's May 4th Memorial and College of Aeronautics and Engineering, the first Cabinet visit by a federal official in the university’s history.

Jennifer Hemphill, MFA '18, Columbia, MO, is excited to be returning to Northeast Ohio as the new director of music theatre at Baldwin Wallace University beginning August 2025.

Megan A. Mason, MPH '21, Conneaut Lake, PA, completed the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Lighthouse Leadership Program as part of the 2023-2024 cohort.