Alumni News – July 2022

We’re pleased to share the latest edition of updates from alumni about what they’ve done since graduating from CCV. Alumni are encouraged to share their news by filling out the alumni update form.

Amber Thomas ’20, Behavioral Science
NVU, Psychology
Amber is still raising her five children and working on her bachelor of arts at NVU!

Natasha Pratt ’10, Liberal Studies
Champlain College ’13, Bachelor of Science
Natasha went on to earn a master of social work from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She lives and works as a psychotherapist in Charlotte, NC. CCV was the stepping stone to all of Natasha’s higher education achievements.

Neilan Salerno ’17, Liberal Studies
Florida Institute of Technology ’20, Bachelor’s Degree
After graduating CCV, Neilan moved to Florida to pursue a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. After two years at the Florida Institute of Technology, he graduated with a civil engineering degree. Neilan recently passed the fundamentals of engineering (FE) exam and is now working for an engineering firm which is a consultant to the Florida Department of Transportation (among other entities which own/operate roadways in Florida). The phenomenal professors Neilan had at CCV were the primary reason he chose engineering. Neilan is so happy he made CCV the first step in his post-secondary education.

Elisa Hastings ’13, Liberal Studies
Champlain College ’21, M.S. Human Relations & Organizational Development
Commencement for Elisa’s master’s degree was in May 2021 (in HR & OD with dual graduate certificates in employment law and HR management). Elisa currently works as a HR Generalist at Newport Optical and Green Mountain Eye Care. This year in May will be Elisa’s 11th wedding anniversary and they have two elementary aged children.

Tian Berry ’20, Liberal Studies & certificate in Substance Abuse Services
Granite State College, Psychology
Tian continues working in Burlington with individuals experiencing homelessness.  She received the Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community’s award for being an outstanding individual in the Burlington community in October 2019. In March 2020, she began jumping into Lake Champlain every day to raise money for the Spectrum Youth and Family Services spring fundraiser, The Sleepout.  Her team raised just under $40,000 and Tian alone raised over $7,000. Her ongoing leadership efforts advocating for youth experiencing homelessness was recognized by Molly Gray as a prominent youth advocate in the community for Women’s History Month.

Kathryn Cix ’13, A.A. Science—Medical Assistant
Kathryn earned her CMA accreditation and was initially employed at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She is currently an office manager for SaVida Health, a medication-assisted treatment clinic.

Jennifer Locke ’13, Business Administration
Southern New Hampshire University ’19, Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership
Jennifer is completing a master’s program in human resources now at SNHU with an anticipated graduation of early 2023. She is a workforce development consultant at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and has been there since October 2001. Her oldest daughter got married in September 2020 and her middle daughter is in tech school for health sciences, doing dual enrollment with a high school and college program.

Edward Vizvarie ’01, Liberal Studies
After graduation, Edward continued to work in the facilities department at the Howard Center.  He was able to grow his position into the director of the department. Edward retired after 27 years there on June 30, 2019. He is enjoying retirement with his wife.  They have remodeled several rooms in their house, due to not being able to travel widely as planned. They have been able to safely travel regionally and have done quite a bit of exploring in New England.

Leah Horrigan ’09, Liberal Studies
NVU ’19, Heath Sciences
Leah started graduate school in 2021. She is divorced, has two children, and is living her best life.

Garrett Kennedy ‘19 
Garrett was named to the presidents list for the summer 2021 semester at SNHU. To be eligible for the presidents list students must have a 3.7 GPA or higher. He’s currently working on his bachelor’s degree in computer programming with a concentration in software development. 

Rebecca Lowe ’14, Human Services
Rebecca got married on September 20, 2021 in Barlett, NH. She changed her last name from Tomaszewski to Lowe.

Erika Simard ’08, Human Services
Erika moved to Norfolk, VA in 2011 with her new husband. Together, they were in a fatal motorcycle accident in Ohio in 2013. They both survived with critical injuries, and Erika had a long road of 3 years to recovery. In 2016 they moved to Sarasota, Florida, and started a 501(c)(3) that helps families of motorcycle riders who have died in accidents. (Florida has the highest rate of accidents in the nation.) Their charity is called The Fallen Riders Memorial Fund Florida. 

Jack Bates ’18, Liberal Studies
Jack has been working at National Life since he graduated. He is newly promoted to a leader on their agency team within their contracting department. CCV was a huge help in getting Jack to where he is today.

Angela Biathrow ’20, Criminal Justice
Norwich University ’24 (anticipated), Bachelor’s Degree
Angela is currently working on her bachelor’s degree at Norwich University.