Communities

UCAN (UAlbany Career Advisory Network)
UCAN is an online networking tool that helps students and alumni connect with fellow Great Danes for career advice. As an advisor, you can select the type of support you can offer: informational interviews, resume reviews or mock interviews. Need career advice?

Essential Career Readiness Program
Be a mentor for this program, which gives freshmen the opportunity to acquire essential career skills. Students attend six, one-hour sessions every other week during the semester. Mentors provide feedback and guidance to their mentee on topics/assignments in between classes. Contact can be made by phone or online.

Great Danes in NYC
Help students learn about different industries and careers by hosting a site visit at your company during the academic year. Recruiting for this program occurs in the fall.

Postcards from Alumni (winter)
Help us add a personal touch to our Admissions recruitment efforts by sending a few handwritten notes to highly sought after high school seniors who have just been accepted to UAlbany through our early action program. We’ll provide the postage-paid postcards and some sample messages to get you started. Recruitment begins in late December; mailing items will be provided to volunteers in early January. Sign up for the postcard project by January 16, 2026.

Freshmen Welcome Email Project (early fall)
Help add a personal touch to the welcome experience of the freshmen class, no matter where you are! Each fall we ask grads from the last decade to send emails to a few freshmen welcoming them to the Great Dane family. The Alumni Association will match alumni with students by major or career field. You can choose how many students you’d like to contact. We'll provide you with a list of student names and email addresses by the end of September; emails need to be sent by mid-October. Volunteer recruitment begins in late August.

New Grad Welcome (spring)
As UAlbany seniors prepare to celebrate their graduations and transition to becoming alumni, we recruit grads of the last decade to send an email to a few graduating seniors welcoming them to the Great Dane alumni family. It’s important to let them know that their UAlbany journey doesn’t end with commencement – there’s a myriad of ways to stay involved and a worldwide alumni network there to support them! You choose how many students you’d like to contact; we'll provide sample messaging and contact info to get you started. Volunteer recruitment begins in March.
 

College Fairs
Help recruit the best students for UAlbany by representing your alma mater at a college fair at a high school or other location near you. College fairs are held September-November and March-May.

Accepted Student Receptions
Receptions are held in the spring in certain demographic areas, at a home or a public venue, to encourage students to attend the UAlbany. Meet students and their families and lend a personal touch to the event by sharing your own personal campus experience and connection to UAlbany.

You don’t have to wait until you've reached a milestone in your career or made a lot of money. Your philanthropy can have a positive impact on students right now, as gifts of all sizes add up! GOLD has selected three worthy programs that we think young alums will want to support:

UAlbany Cares
UAlbany Cares includes three funds that support our students in times of need. The Emergency Relief Fund provides funding to students facing a financial emergency. The Purple Pantry addresses food insecurity among UAlbany students. Purple Threads is a free professional clothing closet available to current students.

Student Scholarship Fund
For many students, scholarship support means the difference between fulfilling educational goals or falling off the path toward their degree. Your support can be critical to our students' success.

EOP
The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at UAlbany provides admission opportunities for economically and educationally disadvantaged undergraduate students who are residents of New York State.

Make a gift to UAlbany

The GOLD Committee consists of graduates of the last decade who are committed to developing unique programs specifically for our recent alumni. The committee meets 3-4 times per year to discuss current and proposed initiatives. If you're in the Capital District or Metro NY area and are interested in joining the committee, let us know by filling out this form. 

Current GOLD Committee Members
 

	Tabia C. Robinson ’16 (Committee Chair) Metro NY Title: Product Manager, NBC Universal UAlbany Education: B.A, Journalism
	Cristina Alston ’16, ’17 Metro NY Title: Analyst UAlbany Education: B.A., Criminal Justice; M.A., Criminal Justice
	Zainub Amir ’17 Capital District Title: Account Manager, Bloomberg LP UAlbany Education: B.S. Business Administration
	Semi Awopetu ’22 Metro NY Title: Executive Special Projects Manager, City Year NY UAlbany Education: B.A., Business Administration, Marketing/Finance
	Emmanuel "Manny" Owusu Berkoh ’23 Metro NY Title: Information Security Analyst, American Express UAlbany Education: B.S., Cyber Security
	Nathan Blank ’23, ’25 Capital District Title: Admissions Counselor: Campus Visit Coordinator, UAlbany UAlbany UAlbany Education: B.A. Public Policy & Management
	Nicholas Chin ’22, ’23 Capital District Title: Advisory Associate, KPMG UAlbany Education: B.A., Political Science and History; M.A., Political Science
	Jorge Chacon ’19 Metro NY Title: Advisory Consultant UAlbany Education: B.S. Accounting
	Cassie Diorio ’14, ’16 Capital District Title: Portfolio Manager, CDPHP UAlbany Education: B.S. Public Health and Sociology; M.P.H. Social Behavior & Community Health and Epidemiology
	Cassandra Edwards ’17, ’18 Capital District Title: LCPC, Washington Nutrition and Counseling Group UAlbany Education: BA, Psychology; MS, Mental Health Counseling
	Manik Elahi ’19 Capital District Title: Legislative Analyst, NYS Senate UAlbany Education: B.A. Political Science
	Jerlisa "Juju" Fontaine ’18 Metro NY Title: Founder & CEO of HuCapital UAlbany Education: B.S. in Human Biology (Pre-Med) w/ Minors in Business & Africana Studies
	Crystal Francis ’20 Capital District Title: Legal Administrative Assistant, Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff UAlbany Education: B.A. Communication, Latin American & Caribbean Studies
	Michelle George ’23 Metro NY Title: Video Investment Assistant, Horizon Media UAlbany Education: B.S. Business Administration and Entrepreneurship & Marketing
	Abdoullah Goudiaby ’22, ’24 Capital District and Metro NY Title: Legislative Aide, NYS Senate UAlbany Education: BA, Public Policy; MA, Public Administration
	Brandon Kayemba '21 Metro NY Title: Associate Attorney, Sokoloff Stern LLP UAlbany Education: B.A. Political Science
	Brian Kenny ’17 Capital District Title: Senior Resident Director, University at Albany UAlbany Education: B.A. Public Policy
	Jessica Levine ’17, MA ’19 Metro NY Title: PR Account Executive, DADA Goldberg UAlbany Education: B.A. Political Science, M.A. Communication
	Albert Martinez ’19 Capital District Title: Partner, Boots Properties UAlbany Education: B.S. Economics
	Robert Mornan ’21, ’22 Capital District Title: Computer Systems Analyst, Unified Court System Division of Technology UAlbany Education: B.S. Computer Science; M.S. Information Science
	Ryan Niro ’19, ’22 Capital District Title: Assistant Director of Welcome Experience, UAlbany UAlbany Education: B.A., Rhetoric & Communication; M.S.ed.
	Emily O'Halloran ’20 Capital District Title: Associate Attorney, Harris-Pero Law Firm PLLC UAlbany Education: B.S. Financial Market Regulation
	Shannon Pantuliano '21 Metro NY Title: Assistant Director for Alumni Affairs, Hofstra University UAlbany Education: B.A. Communications
	Musa Luis Urena ’20 Metro NY Title: Program Specialist, PeerForward UAlbany Education: B.A., History
	Naishaly Vélez Galán ’23 Capital District Title: Survivor Advocate, University at Albany Office of Health Promotion UAlbany Education: B.A. Theatre, Sociology
	Christian Vitek ’22 Capital District Title: Public Information Officer, New York State Division of Human Rights UAlbany Education: B.A. Political Science

UAlbany GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Alumni are shaping the future and transforming the world around them. These awards celebrate and honor outstanding Great Danes who graduated from the University at Albany within the last ten years. 

Award Selection Criteria

Impact: Nominee demonstrates notable achievement or meaningful contributions in their career, community, or through volunteerism, mentorship, or advocacy.

Alumni Engagement: Nominee exhibits a strong commitment to staying connected with UAlbany and supporting the university’s alumni network.

Role Model: Nominee serves as a positive example for current students and fellow Great Danes, embodying the spirit and values of UAlbany.

Nominations for 2027 GOLD Awards will be accepted beginning in December 2026.

Rashan Brown ’17

BA, Biology

Founder and CEO, poetry me, please™
Product Manager II, ESPN

Rashan Brown is a product leader, cultural entrepreneur, and award-winning innovator operating at the intersection of corporate technology and independent creative enterprise, building at scale in both worlds simultaneously. He has earned recognition among the most accomplished young creatives and entrepreneurs in the country.

Professionally, Rashan serves as a Product Manager II at ESPN, part of The Walt Disney Company, where he leads product strategies across major sports leagues including the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, and the Olympics. His portfolio includes flagship digital products such as the Olympic Experience and Tier 3 League Onboarding, tools that serve tens of millions of fans and play a central role in how ESPN delivers live sports experiences in the digital era.

Rashan is the founder and artistic director of poetry me, please™, one of the largest spoken word media platforms in the country. He has produced more than 50 live showcases, including two sold-out performances at Harlem’s Apollo Theater and a production at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn that drew nearly 2,000 attendees. His work has reached more than 100 million people across platforms and generated over 1.9 million YouTube views. In 2025, he was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Media list, and in 2026 was recognized as a Creative Class honoree by The Creative Collective NYC in the Entrepreneurship and Tech category. 

Cassandra Diorio ’14, ’16, ’23

BS, Public Health; MS, Public Health; Certificate in Maternal and Child Health

Marketing Manager, CDPHP
Leadership Capital Region (2026 Cohort)

Cassie Diorio joined CDPHP in 2016 and currently serves as a marketing manager, where she leads data-driven strategies designed to connect members with programs and services that improve health outcomes. Prior to joining CDPHP, she contributed to public health initiatives at both the local and state levels, including work on a CDC-funded grant to increase breastfeeding rates and the development of a perinatal Hepatitis B prevention policy implemented across New York State birth hospitals.

Throughout her career, Cassie has been a passionate advocate for maternal and child health. At CDPHP, she has led and supported numerous population health initiatives aimed at improving birth outcomes and expanding access to resources for families in the community. She remains actively engaged in advancing the field through her service on the NYS Public Health Association Maternal and Child Health Committee and the University at Albany Maternal and Child Health Program Advisory Committee.

Cassie is a member of the Leadership Capital Region Class of 2026, a selective program of the Capital Region Chamber that develops leaders through hands-on learning, regional issue exploration, and cross-sector collaboration. The program brings together professionals from diverse industries to deepen their understanding of key challenges facing the Capital Region while strengthening their ability to lead and serve effectively. 

Jerlisa "Juju" Fontaine ’18

BS, Human Biology

Founder and CEO, HuCapital
VHNYC Founder Fellowship (2026 Cohort)

Jerlisa “Juju” Fontaine is the founder and CEO of HUCapital™, where she is building pathways for underrepresented entrepreneurs to access capital, mentorship, and scalable opportunities. She works to close equity gaps in entrepreneurship by connecting founders to resources, networks, and funding streams that accelerate business growth and long-term sustainability.

A graduate of the University at Albany, SUNY, Juju earned a degree in Human Biology and quickly distinguished herself as a leader committed to community impact and innovation. During her time at UAlbany, she served as Student Association President, where she championed initiatives focused on student advocacy, accountability, and inclusive leadership.

Juju has continued to expand her impact as an entrepreneur and community builder. She has led initiatives that connect UAlbany alumni across industries, foster collaboration, and create opportunities for emerging professionals. Her work reflects a deep commitment to uplifting others and ensuring that access to opportunity is not limited by background or circumstance. Through HUCapital™ and her broader engagement, she has helped support aspiring founders in navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship while building confidence in their vision.

Juju remains an engaged member of the UAlbany community through her involvement with alumni initiatives and programming. Her passion for mentorship, access, and innovation underscores her leadership, as she continues to create spaces where individuals and ideas can thrive. 

Reid Kisselback ’17

BS, Atmospheric Science

Meteorologist, Spectrum National News

Reid Kisselback is an award-winning meteorologist who joined Spectrum News in February 2026 as part of the Spectrum News National Weather Team. His passion for weather began early in life following a family tragedy, when a relative was fatally struck by lightning shortly before he was born. That experience instilled a deep respect for severe weather and inspired his lifelong interest in understanding and communicating meteorological science.

Reid began his broadcast career as the weekend meteorologist at WKTV NewsChannel 2, where he covered severe weather and lake-effect snow across Central New York. He later returned to the Capital Region to forecast in his hometown at WNYT NewsChannel 13. While at WNYT, he earned both an Emmy Award and a New York State Broadcasters Award for “The First Warning Experience,” an educational segment that made complex weather concepts accessible to viewers. He also contributed to a Guinness World Record for the “Most People in an Online Weather Reporting Video Relay,” alongside Al Roker.

Committed to service and education, Reid regularly visits schools across New York and North Carolina to teach students about weather and careers in broadcasting. He remains actively engaged with the University at Albany community through outreach, mentorship, and participation in alumni and student-focused events, helping inspire the next generation of Great Danes. 

Jeremy Oles ’14, ’16

BS, Geography and Environmental Science; MA, Geography and Geographic Information Systems

Founder and COO, MobileMap, LLC

Jeremy Oles earned a bachelor's degree in environmental science and a master’s degree in Geography and Geographic Information Systems, both from the University at Albany. Following graduation, Jeremy relocated to Rhode Island to begin his career with a major telecommunications engineering firm. Immersed quickly in the fast‑paced world of network design and infrastructure development, he recognized an opportunity to bring modern geospatial solutions to telecommunications—a vision that would shape the next chapter of his career.

In 2017, just one year after entering the industry, Jeremy founded MobileMap LLC, where he now serves as Owner and Chief Operating Officer. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a startup into a multimillion‑dollar enterprise employing more than 60 team members nationwide. MobileMap is recognized for its innovative integration of GIS technologies into telecom engineering workflows, delivering data‑driven solutions that support network expansion across the region.

In 2021, Jeremy returned to the Capital Region and expanded MobileMap by opening a dedicated office in Clifton Park, strengthening the company’s presence in the area. Two current MobileMap employees are UAlbany alumni, reflecting his dedication to supporting fellow graduates and fostering opportunity for the next generation of leaders. 

Danielle Pankovcin ’17

BA, Psychology

Director, College & Career Counseling, Thurgood Marshall Academy
Director, College Coaching, Peer Forward

Danielle Pankovcin is a dedicated college and career access leader serving as director of College and Career Counseling at Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change in New York City. She designs and implements comprehensive programming that supports students in grades 6–12 through every stage of their postsecondary journey, from early awareness to college enrollment and career exploration.

Danielle holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UAlbany and a master's degree in guidance and counseling from New York University, with a concentration in K–12 bilingualism. Danielle is currently completing a college and career counseling microcredential through SUNY Oneonta.

Driven by her own experience as a first-generation college student, Danielle is committed to ensuring all students have access to the knowledge and resources needed to succeed. She has supported more than 400 high school seniors in accessing higher education opportunities nationwide, including selective institutions, SUNY and CUNY campuses, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Danielle is known for expanding access through college tours, financial aid education, and strong partnerships with community organizations. She has led initiatives including a Post-Secondary Planning Committee, an annual college and career fair, and student celebrations that foster a strong college-going culture. Danielle also serves as director of College Coaching with Peer Forward and remains engaged with UAlbany through UCAN. Her work has been recognized by the New York State Senate and Peer Forward for her impact on student success. 

Peter Rodrigues ’16

BS, Accounting and Business Administration

Managing Director, Clipway

Peter Rodrigues is a Managing Director at Clipway, a diversified Secondaries Investment Fund focused on acquiring high-quality private equity portfolios, where he focuses on investing through Clipway’s Infrastructure Fund. In this role, he leads the origination, due diligence, and execution of new infrastructure investments across a global mandate, while actively supporting the firm's fundraising initiatives.

Prior to joining Clipway, Peter spent 7 years with OMERS Infrastructure as a member of the direct infrastructure private equity investment team. During his tenure, his team managed over $30 billion of the OMERS balance sheet, with Peter personally leading investments totaling more than $6 billion in exposure. He began his career focusing on mergers and acquisitions advisory within the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs.

A 2016 graduate of the University at Albany School of Business, Peter concentrated in the Financial Analyst Honors Program while also earning an accounting degree. As a student, he was deeply engaged on campus, serving as President of Delta Sigma Pi, Chief Financial Officer of the UAlbany School of Business Investment Group, and as a Purple and Gold Student Ambassador. 

Erin Byrne Rousseau ’16

BS, Nanoscale Sciences

Senior Engineer II, NeuroBionics
Contributor of the FARAWAVE™ system

Erin Byrne Rousseau is an accomplished biomedical engineer, innovator, and advocate whose work spans medical technology, scientific research, and inclusive leadership. A graduate of the University at Albany College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, she earned a bachelor's degree in nanoscale science before completing her Ph.D. in medical engineering and medical physics through the Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology in 2022.

Erin currently serves as Senior Engineer II at NeuroBionics, where she plays a key role in developing an innovative platform for endovascular neurostimulation. As the company’s first hire, she leads product design and preclinical testing and is helping advance first-in-human treatments. Previously, at Boston Scientific, she contributed to the development of the FARAWAVE™ system, a device used to treat cardiac arrhythmias that has improved patient outcomes worldwide.

During her graduate studies at MIT, Erin developed novel methods for monitoring extracellular communication in both in vivo and organoid models. Her work has led to multiple patent applications and peer-reviewed publications, earning more than 200 citations. She has received several prestigious honors, including the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the Society for Neuroscience Professional Development Fellowship.

Beyond her technical contributions, Erin is a leader in science policy, diversity advocacy, and mentorship. She has organized federal advocacy efforts, authored a New York Times opinion piece on science policy, and supported UAlbany students through mentorship and career guidance. 

Ashley Scott ’16

BS, Public Health

Data and AI Product Management, PepsiCo
Founder of Data Girl Ash™

Ashley Scott is a data and AI product management leader at PepsiCo, where she drives enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives that enhance how teams leverage data to make smarter, faster decisions. She has led the development and launch of global data products that have increased analytics adoption, improved operational efficiency, and enabled more agile decision-making across the organization.

Beyond her corporate role, Ashley is the founder of Data Girl Ash™, a global platform supporting career switchers and first-generation professionals entering data and AI fields. Through mentorship, coaching, and community-driven programming, she has helped hundreds of individuals secure opportunities in tech while building confidence to navigate career transitions. Her impact extends internationally through initiatives like the Data Girl Scholarship and partnerships that promote data literacy among young women.

Ashley also serves as an AI instructor with the Bronx Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Google, where she equips small business owners with practical tools to integrate artificial intelligence into their operations. A TEDx speaker and recognized thought leader, she delivers talks on data, AI, and career transformation to audiences ranging from students to executives. 

Musa Urena ’20

BA, History

Teacher, KIPP College Prep High School

Musa Urena is an educational leader and college access advocate whose work reflects resilience, impact, and a deep commitment to expanding opportunities for students from underrepresented and low-income communities. Through teaching and advocacy, he has dedicated his career to helping students navigate pathways to higher education and long-term success.

In his current role as a college and career readiness teacher at KIPP NYC, and previously as a program specialist with Peer Forward, Musa has designed and facilitated workshops, mentoring programs, and large-scale events that equip high school scholars with the tools, confidence, and clarity needed to pursue college. Drawing on his experience as a classroom teacher in the South Bronx and his master's degree in teaching, Musa blends instructional expertise with lived experience to authentically connect with students navigating systemic barriers. His work empowers scholars nationwide to see themselves as college-bound and capable of long-term success.

Musa’s impact is rooted in credibility and representation. Having personally navigated housing instability during high school, he now serves as a powerful example of what access, mentorship, and perseverance can achieve. Fluent in English and Spanish, he ensures families from diverse communities receive inclusive, accessible guidance throughout the college preparation process.

Musa remains deeply engaged with the University at Albany as a member of the GOLD Committee, a volunteer at admissions recruitment events, and a frequent campus panelist, continuing to inspire the next generation of Great Danes. 

CCI Women in Technology
Dance Team
Delta Sigma Pi
Earth Tones
EOP Alumni & Friends
Five Quad Alumni
Football Alumni
Information Security and Digital Forensics
LGBTQIA Alumni
Men's Lacrosse
Men's Track & Field / Cross Country
Men's Rugby
Middle Earth
Omicron Delta Kappa
Orientation & Transition Programs
Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Chapter
ResLife Alumni
Rockefeller College Alumni
School of Social Welfare Alumni
WCDB
Women's Lacrosse

For information about the above constituent groups, adding another group to this directory, or creating a new constituent group, email the Alumni Association or call 518-442-3080.

Alpha Pi Alpha
Alpha Phi Omega
Beta Zeta
Chi Sigma Theta
Divine Nine (National Pan-Hellenic Council)
Edward E. Potter Club
Gamma Kappa Phi
Kappa Beta
Kappa Delta
Kappa Delta Rho
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Kappa Rho)
Phi Delta
Psi Gamma
Sigma Alpha
Sigma Lambda Sigma
Sigma Phi
Theta Xi Omega