Meal With A Mentor

Dr. Sherleena Buchman: PhD in Instructional Technology (2016)

Current role: Associate Dean for Curriculum and Academic Affairs, College of Health Sciences and Professions

Bio: Dr. Buchman (Sherleena) is an experienced nurse educator and curriculum leader with over 25 years in nursing and 20 years in higher education. She is passionate about advancing healthcare education through innovative teaching methods, including simulation, virtual reality, and podcasting. She is dedicated to student success, faculty development, and interprofessional collaboration. Sherleena describes herself as "a small-town nurse who worked hard and cared deeply. I believe that my journey is proof that with persistence, purpose, and heart, anyone can achieve their goals."

Jenna Lada: BA in Anthropology (2014)

Current role: Homeland Security & Justice Senior Analyst

Bio: Jenna is an applied anthropologist with over 7 years’ experience in policy analysis and more than a decade in qualitative research. She received her BA in Anthropology from OHIO in 2014 and MS in Conflict & Dispute Resolution from the University of Oregon in 2017, during which she conducted fieldwork and mentored at-risk youth in Northern Ireland. In her current position with the US Government Accountability Office, she reviews the performance of federal law enforcement and immigration programs to improve government efficiency and inform Congress's work. Professionally, she takes great joy in connecting with students and young professionals and developing their career interests. As an experienced facilitator, Jenna is also passionate about cultivating opportunities for authentic connection in the workplace through dialogue and knowledge sharing.

Eli Burris: B.S.J. - Strategic Communication with specializations in marketing & sport management) (2016)

Current role: Associate Director of Social Media Strategy

Bio: Eli is a proud graduate of Ohio University and currently serves as the Associate Director of Social Media Strategy at his alma mater. His award-winning team creates content and engages OHIO's nearly 700,000 social media followers. He has a passion for photography that he gets to pursue as part of his several roles he's had at OHIO since returning to Athens in 2019. He enjoys mentoring social media student interns as well as any other Bobcats who have an interest in social and digital media, marketing and communication.

Eric Smith: Bachelor of Specialized Studies, Interior Architecture, Art, and Entrepreneurship, 2020

Current Role: Architecture Project Manager

Bio: Eric holds a Bachelor's degree from Ohio University, where he specialized in Art, Interior Architecture, and Entrepreneurship, as well as a Master's degree in Architecture from Kent State University. He possesses a diverse skill set and extensive experience in property restoration, including residences and multi-purpose buildings. Additionally, he has contributed to historic restoration projects that integrate traditional design with contemporary functionality. Eric is actively involved in community service as a member of the Elks and Rotary organizations. His technical expertise, architectural knowledge, and commitment to community engagement aim to foster meaningful and lasting impacts in his professional and personal pursuits.

Jaime Cosimati: University College, specialized studies, 2014

Current Role: Executive Assistant, Huntington Bank and Realtor

Bio: Hello! I am a 2014 graduate of Ohio University. I graduated with a major in specialized studies, focusing on business and sociology. Currently, I am an
executive assistant with Huntington Bank and also a real estate agent with Exp Realty. I was born and raised in Columbus, and currently live downtown
with my cat, George. I am a big concert and Blue Jackets fan! 

Jessica Kopelwitz: BBA, Finance and Business Economics (1999)

Current role: Associate Director, TechGrowth Ohio

Bio: Jessica's passion is supporting high-growth technology startups. She assists entrepreneurs and founders to evaluate, scale, and build their businesses. She has 7+ years in banking, 15+ years in the restaurant industry, and now 15+ years as an entrepreneur. Jessica has her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Business Economics from Ohio University, and her Masters in Business Administration from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. She is also a Certified Business Advisor and received her certification through Kent State University.

Jessica is also a mom and an ultrarunner, and the founding local group leader of Trail Sisters, Athens, and is always looking for new adventures.

Ayman Elbarbary: Master's in Applied Lingustics, 2023

Current Role: Arabic Teacher / Instructional Designer

Bio: Ayman Elbarbary is an associate instructor at the Instructional Systems Technology Department at Indiana University. He holds an M.S.Ed. in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University and an M.A. in Applied Linguistics from Ohio University. He has been a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at the University of North Georgia. Ayman taught Arabic at Ohio University while pursuing his M.A. Ayman is a double-major Ph.D. student in the Instructional Systems Technology and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures departments at Indiana University.

Alyssa Manning: AA Social Science, 2022; BA Political Science and Global Studies: War & Peace, 2024; Master of Public Administration, 2025

Current Role: Consulting Grants/Funding Specialist

Bio: I am a triple Ohio University alumna, where I completed my associate’s, bachelor’s, and MPA studies with a focus on public service and community impact. My time at OHIO shaped my interest in public-sector problem-solving, including an internship at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in emergency management, and eventually I landed my first full-time job from my connections at OHIO. I now work as a Grants/Funding Specialist at Verdantas, supporting municipalities as they plan and develop water, transportation, and recreation projects. In my role, I help communities navigate funding opportunities, strengthen applications, and move critical infrastructure projects forward.

Mary Ellen Smalley: BS of Journalism, 2001

Current Role: Director of brand and cause awareness at Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Bio: Mary Ellen Smalley is 2001 graduate of the Scripps School of Journalism. After a 15 year career as a newspaper and TV journalist she pivoted to nonprofit communications. She’s been with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption for more than 10 years overseeing brand journalism, PSAs, paid media, earned media, social media, stewardship and brand research. She lives in Columbus with her husband, Jerod, and cat, Mr Brian Williams.

Olivia Ujlaki: Bachelor of Science in Journalism, 2021
 

Current Role: Manager of Event Marketing, Americas

Bio: Olivia Ujlaki is a graduate of the Scripps College of Communication (B.S.J) and Emerson College (Masters of Digital Marketing). She has worked in the B2B event space in addition to B2C for luxury travel and restaurant experiences. Olivia enjoys all things Disney, and paying it forward to the next generation of digital marketers.

Paige Kirby: Bachelor of Science in Journalism, 2021

Current Role: Merchandiser at Bath and Body International 

Bio: Paige is a 2021 graduate with a BS in Journalism and a minor in Fashion Retail. While she was a student at OU she was involved in the Student Alumni Board and was the owner of her own business. She started her career at Pelotonia and is now a merchandiser for Bath and Body Works International. She was a founding member of the Young Alumni Cohort and has a passion for helping students realize their potential and how to live their best lives post-grad.

Marcquis Parham: Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management, 2007, Master of Recreation and Sports Pedagogy, 2008

Current Role: Assistant Director of Career Services, Adjunct Instructor, & Phd Student

Bio: Marcquis Parham has served as an Assistant Director for Career Employer Engagement and adjunct instructor at the Patton College of Education for over the past decade. Marcquis is a service-focused influencer, educator, lifelong learner, career and life consultant, an active fitness enthusiast who is a certified personal trainer (ACE), a proud former student athlete and a four-year letterman with the Ohio University Football Team, and a PhD student in the Higher Education and Counseling program. Marcquis returned to Ohio University to empower, and develop future leaders 

Evan Wilkof - Bachelor of Business Economics (2011), Master of Higher Education Administration (2015) 

Current Role: Community Relations Officer, Ohio University Police 

Bio: I earned my undergraduate degree in Economics (2011) and returned for a graduate degree in Higher Education Administration (2015). Through involvement in leadership organizations and a variety of university-led committees, I developed a passion for Ohio University and the Greater Athens community. In 2014, I earned the position of Assistant Director of Operations with Ohio University Event Services. In 2019, I took a leap of faith and sought to engage with and help students in a much different way. I submitted an application with the Ohio University Police Department and earned the position of Police Officer in early 2020. It was off to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy in Columbus through mid-2020. Following completion of training, I was entrusted at Ohio University in a completely different way. After several years on patrol and having engaged in incredibly meaningful ways with Bobcats, I earned the role of Community Relations Officer. Through dedication to being a lifelong learner, I am gaining the experience necessary to become the Public Information Officer for the department. Ambition is a skill paramount to success. I look forward to sharing how my ambitions and connections with Ohio University led me to life-changing experiences and has helped guide Bobcats alike in myriad ways. 

Ceci Rockwell, 2023, Bachelors of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (now Hearing Speech and Language Sciences) 

Current Role: Currently a Success Advisor for the College of Health Sciences and Professions. Previous role I was the Assistant Director of Recruitment for the College of Health Sciences and Professions. 

Bio: Hey, my name is Ceci Rockwell. I graduated in 2023 from OHIOs Communication Sciences and Disorders program that is now called Hearing Speech and Language Sciences. I was a part of many organizations on campus as well as I worked with Bobcat Student Orientation and Learning Community Programs all through undergrad. I loved my campus jobs so much that I decided to get my Masters in Higher Education (graduated 2025). OHIO has been home for me since I started undergrad in 2019 and once, I graduated I never left! I am currently a Success Advisor for the College of Health Sciences and Professions. 

Brandi Vickers, 2021, Bachelors of Science in Child & Family Studies

Current Role: College of Health Sciences & Professions Success Advisor 

Bio: Hi, my name is Brandi Vickers! I'm a first-generation college graduate from the Child and Family Studies program, currently known as the Human Development and Family Science program. Through my career I have worked to support unhoused youth in Hawaii and then served on the ACT team with Hopewell after moving back to Ohio. I feel that my transition into Higher Education has been very natural, and my Undergraduate degree aligns well with the skills that I use regularly in my position. I'm now pursuing a Master of Integrated Health Studies, and I'm hoping to move forward into teaching in the future.

Annie Valeant, 2008, MBA/MSA, 2025, PhD Higher Education & Student Affairs 

Current Role: Director Operation, Strategy and Partnerships Scripps College of Communication

Bio: Annie Valeant (MBA, MSA '08) is a proud OHIO Bobcat and member of the Athens community. Prior to joining academia, Annie worked in the sport and entertainment industry in revenue-generating and event-planning roles. Annie moved back to Athens in 2014 to serve as a non-tenured track professor in the Department of Sports Administration where she taught a variety of undergraduate classes and lead experiential learning programs such as the Southern Ohio Copperheads, San Diego Sports Consulting Project, and Germany GCP. Annie joined Scripps College of Communication in 2023 and serves as the Director of Operation, Strategy, and Partnerships.

“I love working with students and trying to help them find their way!”

Faith (Beale) Knutsen: MA 1992 in International Affairs with an emphasis on Africa. 

Current role: Director, Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship - at the Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service

Professional focus in Economic development program management

Bio: After finishing the Peace Corps service in 1989, I grew up in Athens, but I went off in my late teens and had a lot of interesting educational and work experiences both overseas and in the US before I came back here to raise my own kids (both of whom also got degrees at OU – one now lives in the UK, and the other one is in grad school).

For the last 17 years I’ve worked at the Voinovich School as an executive and mentor helping local small businesses and nonprofits get started and be successful.  For the last 5 years I’ve also taught Environmental Entrepreneurship, Social Entrepreneurship and grantwriting to undergrads and grads.  At the end of my in-person classes, I always offer the opportunity for a free coffee to the graduates (they seem to enjoy the conversations – but it might just be the free caffeine!).

I’m really committed to encouraging, supporting and helping to shore up sustainability for small, local, rural, mission-driven enterprises.  Most people know about Passion Works, which is a great example of the kinds of nonprofits that my team helps.  There are tens and tens of other ones that are also impactful in important ways: education, arts, workforce development, substance use, recovery.  I love bringing the experiences and lessons-learned that I’ve gained here, nationally and overseas to our own local entrepreneurial ecosystem.  I’d love to share stories and learn from each other.

Rachael Cathey, 2019 BSC - Integrated Media 

Current Role: Account Manager - Advertising Agency

Bio: Rachael Cathey is an Account Manager at The Adcom Group, a Cleveland-based marketing agency where she leads national campaigns, manages influencer partnerships, and helps big brands in the trades space connect with their audiences in fresh, creative ways. Whether she’s launching a new product, planning a brand experience, or strategizing social content, Rachael’s favorite part of the job is the mix of fast-paced problem-solving and teamwork. She’s a proud graduate of the Scripps College of Communication and now serves on the Young Alumni Council to stay connected with the Bobcat community. If you’re curious about agency life, want to break into the world of marketing, or just need someone to talk through your next career move.

Dr. Holly Ningard: B.A. in Philosophy and Sociology/Criminology and M.A. in Sociology/Criminology

Current Role: Ohio University Assistant Professor of Instruction in Sociology

Bio: Hello! My name is Dr. Holly Ningard. I took the phrase "Bobcat for life" pretty seriously: I earned both my B.A. in Philosophy and Sociology/Criminology and M.A. in Sociology/Criminology here at Ohio University, where I studied sexual violence and bystander intervention on college campuses and via social media. I completed my Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee. There, I began studying white collar crime and narrative criminology, or the study of how stories influence crime. I came right back to OU upon finishing my Ph.D., and here I teach courses in policing, gender-based violence, and white-collar crime, to name a few. I think what unites my seemingly all over the place interests are the stories we tell about crime. I'm fascinated by popular crime myths and misconceptions, as well as upending some of those myths through teaching! When I'm not teaching, I am a massive horror fan, from movies to podcasts (I even teach a Sociology of Horror film class!). I love reading and attempting (but usually failing) to garden, going on road trips, and hanging out with my cats, Rory, Tomato Sauce, and Emile (named after Emile Durkheim, of course!).

Matthew Roberts, 1993, 2002, BA- Political Science/History, MPA-Voinovich School

Current Role: Corporate and Foundation Relations Officer for Ohio University 

Bio: Matt Roberts is the Senior Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations at Ohio University. Prior to coming to OHIO, he spent 9 years in development at the OhioHealth Foundation. He also served as a resource officer, director and vice president of various non-profit organizations related to health, mental health, addiction treatment and prevention. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Ohio University and lives in Lancaster with his wife and family. 

Courtney Koestler: 1999 B.S. Elementary Education 

Current Role: Faculty Director of the Stevens Center for Literacy and STEM Education Associate Professor of Teacher Education, Ohio University 

Bio: I earned my BS degree in Elementary Education at Ohio University after exploring both Mathematics and Education. While a student, I worked as a mathematics tutor at the Academic Advancement Center, where I discovered how much I enjoyed working with others in their learning. After graduation, I spent two years teaching in Ohio near my hometown before moving to Washington, DC, where I taught for five more years in Fairfax County, Virginia. During that time, I completed a master’s degree at George Mason University. Following seven rewarding years as both a classroom teacher and instructional coach, I pursued doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earning a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. My first faculty position was at the University of Arizona in Tucson, and in 2014 I returned to Ohio- and to Ohio University. This year marks my 12th year as a professor here, a role in which I’ve greatly enjoyed teaching, engaging in research, and collaborating with local teachers and children through outreach initiatives. 

Acie Clayborne: Bachelor of Arts, African American Studies, 2011 

Current Role: Financial Services 

Bio: Bobcat Alum c/o 2011 and proud African American Studies graduate with previous experience in higher education administration and investment management. I’m passionate about helping people build confidence in their financial futures and creating opportunities for communities to thrive. My background spans student success coaching, financial coaching, business development, project management, and leadership development. I’ve managed programs that supported hundreds of clients, which has given me the chance to mentor teams and create inclusive spaces for growth. As someone who values sharing knowledge and experiences, I’m excited to connect with students, answer questions, and support you on your own journey toward success.