We would like to hear your recent news! Your classmates also want to learn about what you are doing today. This is a place to reconnect with old friends and future colleagues.

Please use the Alumni Feedback Form to inform us about professional and personal accomplishments: jobs, promotions, graduate school, weddings, births, anniversaries, leisure activities, or anything else you would like to share.

Class of 2006

Serena Galloway (B.S.) Serena, currently a psychology student, married Vijay Bakhru, an attorney, in a Hindu/Christian ceremony on August 16th, 2008. The two met while attending the University of Maryland. They will live in San Diego after their marriage.

 

Danielle Mitchell (M.S./MFT) Danielle Mitchell and Dr. Leigh Leslie received an award for Outstanding Poster Presentation at the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) conference, Family Therapy Section.  The poster was entitled, "The role of depression, social support, and gender ina a person's decision to leave an emotionally abusive relationship."  Dr. Leigh Leslie was Danielle’s advisor on the poster.

Class of 2005

Amy Pachter-Vail (B.S.) I am currently in the first year of the Master's program in Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore with a clinical concentration and specialization in mental health.  I am also working at a private psychiatric practice and have an internship at Child Welfare Services.  My internship, in Continuing Protective Services, involves working with families who are experiencing problems (e.g., substance abuse) to insure that children are safe in their homes.  I can honestly say that my undergraduate degree, and the family studies classes I took prepared me well for the path I am taking.  If anyone has questions about graduate school or internships, you are welcome to email me at  AmyPachterVail@yahoo.com.

Class of 2004

Danielle Harris-Mills (B.S.) I am currently working for a real estate law firm in Bethesda while I am taking prerequisite courses for Nursing School. I also intend to earn the MPH degree. I was honored to represent Family Science as the student speaker at the winter graduation of the School of Public Health. Now that I have some free time, I'm catching up with my friends!

Jonnel Hector (M.S./MFT) I am currently employed as a therapist at the Frost Center in Rockville, MD, a school for children and adolescents with emotional and learning disabilities. I am using the skills I gained in the program to conduct treatment groups and provide guidance to students seeking services. As a male of Guyanan descent, I enjoy serving as a role model for the diverse groups of youth with whom I work.

Laura Hoard (M.S./Ph.D.) I am now a research associate at REDA International, Inc. where I do evaluation and policy work. My current project focuses on issues of teacher quality for "No Child left Behind." I am also teaching an undergraduate FMSC course, Introduction to Family Therapy, while my husband, Matt, is enjoying his first year in UMD's M.B.A. program. We live in Silver Spring in a wonderful neighborhood with our dog, Murphy!

Linda Oravecz (Ph.D.) I am now an Assistant Professor of Family Science at Towson University.  I am teaching courses on family trends and human services, and leading the senior seminar for Family Science majors. On weekends, I am rennovating my 100 year-old house and hanging out with Chad and my cats.

Burnetta L. Simmons (B.S.) Currently, I work at VSI as a Program Coordinator for individuals with Developmental Disablilties and am in the process of completing my graduate school application at Bowie State. My family and I have enjoyed moving into a new home over the summer and have had a great time making it our own.

Crystal Tyler (Ph.D.) I am currently working as a 4-H Youth Development Agent and Unit Coordinator for the Richmond City unit of Virginia Cooperative Extension.  I am also on the faculty of Virginia Tech at the rank of lecturer. As the 4-H Youth Development agent, I work in concert with volunteers, public schools, and other youth serving organizations, developing and delivering research-based, learning experiences that contribute to the positive development of youth.

Class of 2002

Brad Johnson (B.S.) and Shira Blumengarten (B.S) 

Both Brad and Shira are pursuing Master's degrees in Public Administration at the University of Missouri and will graduate in December, 2005.  Brad and Shira are returning to their alma mater to get married in the campus Memorial Chapel on April 22, 2006. They have a dog, Susquehanna, named after the building at UMCP where they first met.

 

Class of 2001

Maureen Gleason Bryant (B.S.) After a 15 year career in advertising for large national ad agencies, I decided to give back to the community and focus on at-risk children. I am particularly concerned about children that are not reading at grade level by the third or fourth grade. I founded Our Kids Matter Foundation in 2001, hiring student athletes and teaching them to teach children reading using a special summer reading course from Houghton-Mifflin. I am also on the Board for the Potomac Ridge Behavioral System Foundation. We are building a pediatric wing for children ages 6-11 with mental illnesses. I love what I do and I am a huge Terp Fan!

Class of 1980

Linda Rothleder (M.S./FMSC): I founded my own government public relations firm, Rothleder Associates, and also serve as Director of the Military Mobility Coalition. I am currently working with the United States Army Cadet Command (ROTC), helping to design, research, and build the SITES file. This file is a component of the Department of Defense’s Quality of Life data base, which includes information about housing, household goods, education, employment, health and wellness, and other family issues at 272 locations.