Our alumni are doing amazing things—living the Pioneer spirit and making news. Read more about their accomplishments. Have a highlight to share? Send it to alumni@carrollu.edu.
Past Accomplishments
Will Sprout '22
Will Sprout '22 is in his first year as a Coordinator for the Production and Live Events team with the Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum.
-Jan 23, 2026
Natalie (Nichols) Hilgers '14
Natalie (Nichols) Hilgers '14, was nominated for and won the MLK Educator of the Year Award with a ceremony held at the MPAC. The award recognizes an outstanding educator from the greater Milwaukee area for their dedication to inspiring and empowering students, encouraging school and community engagement, and promoting peace in the spirit of Dr. King.
-Jan 22, 2026
Natalie (Nichols) Hilgers '14
Natalie (Nichols) Hilgers '14, was nominated for and won the MLK Educator of the Year Award with a ceremony held at the MPAC. The award recognizes an outstanding educator from the greater Milwaukee area for their dedication to inspiring and empowering students, encouraging school and community engagement, and promoting peace in the spirit of Dr. King.
-Jan 22, 2026
Sarah Valencia '03
Journey Mental Health Center has named Sarah Valencia '03, former Assistant Deputy Secretary at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, as its new President & CEO, effective January 22. Valencia is moving from senior leadership within state Medicaid and public health systems into direct leadership of Dane County’s largest nonprofit mental health provider.
-Jan 22, 2026
Amy (Zagorski) Fogerty '00
Amy (Zagorski) Fogerty '00, recieved her Ed.D in Educational Leadership from Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio.
-Dec 30, 2025
Megan Dietz '01
Megan Dietz ’01 earned her Master of Public Administration from UW–Green Bay, completing the 30-credit program with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
-December 13, 2025
Karen Gorton, PhD, RN, FNP, MS '98
Karen Gorton, PhD, RN, FNP, MS '98 has been elected by the Sigma House of Delegates to serve as President-Elect for the 2025-2027 biennium and then transition to the role of President of Sigma for the 2027-2029 biennium. Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) has more than 100,000 active members and 600 chapters at institutions of higher education and healthcare partners from Armenia, Australia, and Botswana to Thailand, the United States, and Wales. Sigma members include clinical nurses and administrators, academic nurse educators and researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and others working to fulfill the organization’s vision of connected, empowered nurse leaders transforming global healthcare. In the past, Dr. Gorton has served Sigma as Vice President, Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee Chair and on multiple committies and work groups.
Read More
-Dec 11, 2025
Debra Hall '83
Debra Hall '83 recently published her first book of poetry, "What the Current Cannot Swallow", inspired by her husband Ken Hall’s medical crisis in Rome and his brief battle with brain cancer. After his death, she studied Spanish in Costa Rica and later became a public high school Spanish teacher in Racine. Her work explores love, loss, and the sacred ordinary. Hall is president of the Kenosha/Racine Poet Laureate program and served as Racine Poet Laureate from 2020–2022. Her poems have appeared in Bramble Literary Magazine, Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar(s), and A Wreath of Golden Laurels.
-Nov 29, 2025
Ann (Wolfgram) Larrabee '75
Ann (Wolfgram) Larrabee ’75 celebrated a major milestone this spring with the publication of her debut novel, "Moon". Now available on Amazon!
Read Moon
-March 17, 2025
Jenna Kunde '91
Jenna Kunde ’91, Global Sustainability Director at Johnson Controls, was recognized as one of “The Top 50 Women Leaders of Milwaukee for 2025” by Women We Admire. This honor highlights her leadership and impact in advancing sustainability and corporate responsibility within her industry.
-November 11, 2025
Sue Peters '94
The Ruth Mott Foundation Board of Trustees has named Sue Peters '94 our next president following a national search. With over two decades of philanthropic and nonprofit experience in Flint, Peters has been at the Community Foundation since 2016, specializing in grantmaking, community leadership and resource development.
Read More:
Flint Beat
EVM
Courier
-Oct 21, 2025
Melissa Baxter, M.Ed. '18
Melissa Baxter, M.Ed. '18, President and CEO of Waukesha County Community Foundation, was named a 2026 Wisconsin TITAN 100 recipient. The Wisconsin TITAN 100 program recognizes the top 100 CEOs and C-level executives in the state who are the area’s most accomplished business leaders within their industries, selected based on their exceptional leadership, vision, and passion.
-October 20, 2025
David Belman '98
David Belman '98, President of Belman Homes, was named a 2026 Wisconsin TITAN 100 recipient. The Wisconsin TITAN 100 program recognizes the top 100 CEOs and C-level executives in the state who are the area’s most accomplished business leaders within their industries, selected based on their exceptional leadership, vision, and passion.
-October 20, 2025
Shari Black '01
Shari Black '01, CEO of Wisconsin State Fair Park, was named a 2026 Wisconsin TITAN 100 recipient. The Wisconsin TITAN 100 program recognizes the top 100 CEOs and C-level executives in the state who are the area’s most accomplished business leaders within their industries, selected based on their exceptional leadership, vision, and passion.
-October 20, 2025
Tracie Parent '03
Tracie Parent '03, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Operations Officer of Kahler Slater, was named a 2026 Wisconsin TITAN 100 recipient. The Wisconsin TITAN 100 program recognizes the top 100 CEOs and C-level executives in the state who are the area’s most accomplished business leaders within their industries, selected based on their exceptional leadership, vision, and passion.
-October 20, 2025
Brandon Johnston '17
Brandon Johnston ’17 was commissioned once again to create a second pair of handmade sneakers for Benson Boone.
-September 7, 2025
Emily Knapp '21
Emily Knapp ’21 was recently featured as a co-author on the published research paper “Successful Generation of Germline Tyrosinase Gene Edited Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus Mitchill 1821).” The team she works with achieved a major scientific milestone by creating the world’s first gene-edited thirteen-lined ground squirrel. This breakthrough allows researchers to more accurately model human visual diseases, paving the way for deeper understanding and potential new treatments for vision disorders.
Read the article
-September 2, 2025
Jake Schertz '15
Jake Schertz '15 was promoted in August within the Simons Foundation to Admin Coordinator for the Computation Center of Astrophysics at the Flatiron Institute. His job is to support a group of scientists in coordinating workshops and events, booking travel, and facilitating our weekly colloquium speaker series.
Learn More
-August 23, 2025
Bryn Saunders '15
Bryn Saunders '15 was named Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Cross Country Coach of the Year for Class AA Girls in 2024 and awarded in 2025. She has served as the Head Coach of the Boys and Girls Cross Country teams at DeLaSalle High School since 2019. In 2023, both teams captured their Conference titles—marking a historic first for the Girls and the first for the Boys since 1979. The season reached new heights when both teams qualified for the State meet: the first-ever appearance for the Girls and the Boys’ first trip since 1979.
-July 7, 2025
Gordy King '84
Gordy King '84 recently retired after a distinguished 42-year career in banking, most recently serving as Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer, and Director of Loan Operations at National Exchange Bank and Trust.
See the announcement here.
-July 7, 2025
Joe Sabol '75
Joe Sabol '75 was a co-author on "Correlation between magnetism and the Verwey transition in magnetite," published in Physical Review B 111, 245161 (June 30, 2025).
Full abstract and publication
-June 30, 2025
Michael Martin '82
Michael Martin ’82, recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement from the School of Business, is the Founder and CEO of r.World. His company was featured in The Washington Post for its leadership in helping major venues implement reusable systems—reducing waste costs by as much as 50%. Martin reflected on the impact, saying, “The number of people we’re touching every day with reuse—it’s huge. It’s opening people’s minds.”
Read more here.
-June 30, 2025
Alyssa Kaiser '20
Alyssa Kaiser '20 is celebrating her one year anniversary at Inova Loudoun Hospital Cardiopulmonary Rehab Department as an Exercise Physiologist.
-June 27, 2025
Lauren Ruff '07
Lauren Ruff '07, Vice President and Director of Marketing at Ixonia Bank, was named one of the 2025 Emerging Leaders of Waukesha County. Beyond her professional role, Lauren serves on the Board of Directors for the Women & Girls Fund of Waukesha County and is actively involved with the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce and the Carroll University Alumni Council.
Learn more here.
-June 25, 2025
Sean Mars '93
Sean Mars '93 was recognized as a Notable Entrepreneur by BizTimes Milwaukee Business News in June of 2025.
Learn more here.
-June 2, 2025
Susan Switalaski M.Ed. '97
In May 2025, Susan was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Global Leadership and Organizational Change from Tiffin University. Her dissertation, titled “The Impact of Pastoral Leadership Transitions in Catholic Parish Communities: A Case Study,” explored the lived experiences of parishioners and leaders during times of pastoral change.
-May 31, 2025
Christopher Faulk '06
Christopher Faulk '06 graduated from Eden Theological Seminary on May 16th, 2025, earning a Masters of Theology degree. He is currently in the process of pursuing ordination in the United Church of Christ, continuing his commitment to faith, service, and spiritual leadership.
-May 16, 2025
Megan Dietz '01
Megan Dietz '01 was awarded the 2025 Rising Star Award at the 54th Annual Wisconsin Volunteer Coordinator Association Conference, held in Pleasant Prairie, WI. Each year at the conference, one Rising Star is chosen for their current work and potential for ongoing excellence in the field of Volunteer Coordination. Megan is the Visitor Services Manager and Volunteer Coordinator for the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society, Inc.
-May 14, 2025
Crystal (Weedall) FitzSimons '93
The Board of Directors of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) has selected Crystal FitzSimons '93 to serve as president of the national anti-hunger organization after a nationwide search facilitated by Boardwalk Consulting. Read more here.
-May 14, 2025
Kelli Send, M.Ed. '06
Kelli Send, M.Ed. '06, Senior Vice President of Financial Wellness and Co-Founder of Francis LLC, has been awarded the prestigious Legacy Award by the Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy. The award recognizes her over three decades of dedicated service in advancing financial literacy and capability for Wisconsin residents. She was formally honored at a ceremony held at the Wisconsin State Capitol on April 29th, 2025.
Read more here.
-April 29, 2025
Ted Rulseh '75
Ted Rulseh '75 just released his book, You Shoulda Been Here Last Week: Stories from an Angling Life. Ted has also edited one book, edited and published six books, and authored three other books.
-March 29, 2025
Justin Jasniewski '13
Each year, the 40 Under 40 Awards honor 40 rising stars in the local business world who have distinguished themselves in their companies, their communities and their industries — all before their 40th birthday. The Milwaukee Business Journal selected Justin Jasniewski as one of the 2025 40 Under 40 honorees. Justin is the CEO of Serve You Rx, a pharmacy benefit manager with unquestionable flexibility and an unwavering commitment to doing what's best for its clients.
-March 26, 2025
Carlo Emanuele '05
Carlo Emanuele '05 is debuting his first novel, The Sins We Inherit. This contemporary crime drama that focuses on family is set in Milwaukee. Carlo draws upon his own experience on the working-class South Side.
-March 25, 2025
Diane Peterson '75
In March 2025, Diane Peterson '75 earned the Abott World Marathon Majors Six Star Medal at the Tokyo Marathon, completing all six of the world’s major marathons: New York City (2021), Chicago (2022), Boston (2023), Berlin (2023), London (2024), and Tokyo (2025). She joins an elite group of just over 22,000 global finishers, and remarkably, is one of only 100 women worldwide in the 70-74 age group to achieve this milestone.
-March 2, 2025
Dan Schindhelm '05
The Des Moines, Iowa-based RDG Planning & Design (RDG) hired Dan Schindhelm as a strategic leader in the firm’s senior living market. An architect planner with nearly two decades of experience in senior living design, business development, and project leadership, Schindhelm will be responsible for helping grow RDG’s new Madison, Wis., office.
-February 20, 2025
Andy Pforr '94
CIVIC MUSIC MKE selected Andy Pforr, Band Director at Lincoln, Wilson/WSTEM and Washington Elementary Schools within the Wauwatosa School District, as the recipient of the Certificate of Exellence in Instrumental Music Instruction for the 2025 Educator Awards.
-February 20, 2025
Dr. Michelle M. Braun '95
Dr. Michelle M. Braun, a neuropsychologist and a national leader in the field of brain health and cognitive functioning, won the Silicon Valley Venture Challenge as a Indiana University Kelley Direct Online MBA student. Her pitch, focused on improving memory and reducing Alzheimer’s risk, impressed investors, earning her a $5,000 prize and valuable feedback to develop her venture. She hopes to launch a program based on her research by the end of 2025 and will complete her MBA in May 2026. Learn more about her venture challenge here!
-February 12, 2025
Steve Thomas '80
Steve Thomas '80 has been elected Chairman of the Board of the East Troy Railroad Museum (ETRM) in East Troy, WI. He has been a volunteer at the railroad for 10 years and an officer on the Board for seven years. The ETRM owns and operates an historic seven-mile rail line between East Troy and Mukwonago, WI and welcomes 25,000 riders a year on dinner trains, Christmas trains, Easter trains and regular weekend train rides between April and December each year. The museum has 140 volunteers who restore, maintain and operate historic electric railroad cars while also maintaining the track, the structures and the overhead trolley wire that provides power to the railroad cars.
-February 8, 2025
Rev. Laura (Isakson) Cook '93
Rev. Laura Isakson Cook '93 has answered a call to pastor the United Methodist Churches in Gettysburg and Onida, SD.
-January 20, 2025
Rebecca (Kasten) Buitendorp '98
Governor Eric J. Holcomb has appointed Rebecca Buitendorp to the Porter County Circuit Court in Indiana. Rebecca Buitendorp is the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Porter County Prosecutor's Office. Read more about the announcement by clicking here.
-January 13, 2025
Tyler Ratkowski '13, M.Ed. '15
Tyler Ratkowski and his partner, Dustin Barman, have recently published their first children’s picture book titled, Wolfie and His Two Dads.
-January 7, 2025
Samantha Derynda Thompson '13
As head varsity volleyball coach at Catholic Memorial High School, Samantha led the Crusaders as they clenched the 2024 WIAA state title. Samantha is a Catholic Memorial two-time state champion herself when she was in high school and a four-year Pioneer on the women’s volleyball team.
-November 9, 2025