• Christina (Tina) Ascolillo ’17 - Candidate for Re-election, Treasurer
Major: B.A., Double Major, Political Science and History
Professional Experience: Senior Public Affairs Associate, Rasky Partners, Inc. Current AAB Treasurer. Co-Chair, AAB Social Justice Committee. Tina has served as an AAB Director-at-Large and Treasurer since 2019.
"I want to give back to the institution that helped me grow personally and professionally. As a
member of the Board, I want to ensure that Emmanuel is meeting the needs of alumni across generations and current students while pragmatically adapting to fit the constantly changing needs of
future students. I want to find ways to ensure alumni feel connected to the Emmanuel community,
knowing that they have a voice with respect to the ongoings of the institution regardless of their
current level of involvement. It is critical, now more than ever, that we identify innovative ways
to increase engagement of all alumni, locally and remotely, so that we can elevate the talents and
assets of our global community to build our network.
"
• Mary Watson Gavin ’73 - Candidate for Re-election, Director-at-Large
Major: B.A. Political Science
Professional & Volunteer Experience: Retired Teacher, Cambridge School Department, Cambridge, MA.
Member, Belmont, MA Town Meeting.
Member and Hospitality Chair, Belmont, MA Garden Club.
Mary served as an AAB Director-at-Large from 2016 to 2020 and since 2021.
"I am seeking re-election for a second term on the Alumni Association Board because I feel that I have more to contribute. Supporting Emmanuel through Board participation has given me the opportunity to give back and demonstrate my appreciation for the opportunities my Emmanuel education provided me. As I anticipate my 50th Class Reunion this spring, I hope to continue my active role in Emmanuel’s future as we move forward. It would be an honor to continue to serve on the Board and to serve as an ambassador for Emmanuel on campus, with students, with alumni, including friends and classmates, and in my community. I hope that my experience as a retired educator, including at the secondary school level, has added to my participation."
• Akyanna Smith-Gonzalez ’15 - Candidate for Re-election, Director-at-Large
Major: B.S. Psychology, minor Theater Arts and Italian Foreign Language Certificate
Professional & Volunteer Experience:
• Public Programs Manager for She+ Geeks Out.
Co-Chair, AAB Social Justice Committee.
Akyanna has served as an AAB Director-at-Large since 2021.
"I have had the distinct pleasure of serving as a Director-At-Large for the Emmanuel College Alumni Association Board of Directors for the past year and a half. During my time on the Board, I have become the Co-Chair of the Social Justice Committee, working to create more inclusive opportunities for Alums to connect and reconnect with each other. If re-elected to the Board, I am committed to making sure that Alumni, particularly Alumni of Color, are given intentional ways to return to Emmanuel while also creating systems in place for the greater Emmanuel community to educate themselves on matters of inclusion and equity."
• Jane Fitzgibbons Hanrahan ’88, P’17 P’18 P’19 - Candidate for Re-election, Secretary
Major: B.S. Elementary Education
Professional & Volunteer Experience: Director of Online Learning and Summer Programs at Marianapolis Preparatory School. Current AAB Secretary. Jane has served as an AAB Director-at-Large and Secretary since 2018.
"I have been honored and proud to serve on the Emmanuel College Alumni Board for the past 5 years. It has been a true pleasure to serve the school that has given me and my children so much. I have worked in education for over 30 years. I have held administrative roles in Admission, Development and Communications. I have been involved in the planning of events, fundraising and school promotion. I have worked on strategic planning initiatives and NEASC accreditation teams.
As a parent, I have volunteered in the Admission Office to help with Accepted Student Days and each time I am in awe at the growth of Emmanuel. Staying involved as a parent has enabled me to see the many positive ways in which the school has evolved over time while never departing from its core mission and values. While Emmanuel is a small college, the positive change brought about by students and alumni has been a phenomenal force for good in the world. It would be an honor to continue to serve the alumni community and create channels of connection within the alumni community, the college, and the current students.
"
• Brendan Hardie ’21 - Candidate for Director-at-Large
Major: B.A. Management
Professional Experience: Fidelity Investments.
"My goal for being on the Alumni Association Board of Directors is to advance the association's reach to the younger generation of alumni and further develop the capacity to grow. By serving as a Director-at-Large, I intend to bring my knowledge and passion to the table through connecting both the older and younger alumni with current and prospective students across our shared love for Emmanuel College."
• Wendy C. Ortiz ’11, G’18 - Candidate for Director-at-Large
Major: B.S. Nursing, M.S. Nursing
Professional Experience: Massachusetts General Brigham Hospital.
"I am proud to be an Emmanuel Alumni. I graduated with a BSN and returned to get an MSN. The nurse educators at Emmanuel used a holistic approach to teaching that went beyond concepts, it motivated and encouraged learning outside the classroom.
I promote Emmanuel everywhere I go. I tell everyone who’s willing to listen about my great experience there. I want to be a board member to continue promoting the Emmanuel education model, my experience to many others for whom it might seem out of their league or it being for others but not for them. I want to be in a position where others would see me as an example that Emmanuel College and its quality education and committed educators is for everyone.
"
• Marcella Paez ’18 - Candidate for Re-election, Director-at-Large
Major: B.A. History, minor Political Science
Professional & Volunteer Experience:
History Doctoral Student at the University of New Hampshire.
Site Manager and Historical Interpreter at Strawbery Banke Museum.
IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Task Force Board Member at Strawbery Banke Museum.
Marcie has served as an AAB Director-at-Large since 2021.
"As a proud alum of Emmanuel College, I hope to continue my passion for the humanities and education through social justice. Through my work on the Emmanuel College Alumni Association, I bring a new perspective through my travel, work as an educator, ever-learning student, and most importantly as a Latina and first-generation graduate. I decided to come back to the college, and hope to continue my work, because I feel drawn to give back to Emmanuel after it helped shape so much of who I am today. I learned so much about the world around me and myself when I attended, and I hope to continue to provide space to educate all Emmanuel alum, especially students of color and LGBTA+ students. I am proud to be an alumnus of Emmanuel. I hope to continue a legacy of diversity and passion-driven social justice and education for all Emmanuel students."
• Margaret Patton ’17 - Candidate for Director-at-Large
Major: B.A. Sociology, minor Political Science
Professional Experience: Dean of Boarding, Korea International School Jeju Campus.
"I am humbled by the chance to immerse myself into Emmanuel’s alumni community to give back to the school that helped shape me into the leader I am today. Working in the field of education as and admin and student mentor has allowed me to look back on my time at Emmanuel with fond gratitude when I think about all the professors, coaches, and fellow peers who allowed the student body to learn and grow. As an active Emmanuel College alumni, I’m excited to continue my passion for living in service of others and guide fellow Saints to seek opportunities to progress the college and expand the network opportunities that are available to current students and graduates.
"
• Kevin Petterson ’18 - Candidate for Director-at-Large
Major: B.A. Developmental Psychology, minor Management
Professional Experience: Building Engines, a JLL Company.
Board Member, Expect Miracles Foundation - Young Professionals Expect Miracles.
Kevin has served as a member of the Emmanuel College Young Alumni Council since 2019.
"I graduated from Emmanuel College in 2018 with a B.A. in Developmental Psychology & Business Management. Since graduation, I’ve spent the past five years working in tech sales for two SaaS companies based in Boston and have served as a board member on the Young Alumni Council since 2019. I’m excited about the opportunity to continue to serve the Emmanuel community if elected to the Alumni Association Board and look forward to working with other alums to help Emmanuel continue to thrive!
"
• Kristen McGee Ramsey ’88 - Candidate for Re-election, Director-at-Large
Major: B.S. Art Education
Professional & Volunteer Experience:
Art Teacher, Consolidated School District of New Britain, CT.
Kristen has served as an AAB Director-at-Large since 2021.
"I’m very interested in giving my time and resources to the College that made me who I am today. While attending Emmanuel, I gained leadership skills as an R.A., travelled abroad to England, and was afforded the opportunity to study art under Sister Glavin and Michael Jacques. When I reflect upon my experiences from Emmanuel, I have a great sense of pride. That pride, coupled with the experience of teaching 31 years in a diverse urban community will enable me to share this perspective with the alumni committee."
• Mary Gene (Woods) Ryan ’75 - Candidate for Director-at-Large
Major: B.A. Spanish
Professional Experience: Managing Editor, Health Physics the Radiation Safety Journal.
Editorial Board Member, Health Physics the Radiation Safety Journal.
Executive Board Member, Health Physics Society.
"As a graduate of Catholic elementary and secondary schools in Worcester, MA, followed by Emmanuel in 1975, I understand the value of education based on Christian principles and beliefs. My three deanships at institutions of higher education in South Carolina, two of which were secular, helped to confirm my commitment to a faith-based college experience. If I am elected to the Alumni Board, I would encourage potential students to choose Emmanuel, take advantage of all the opportunities available to them as students, and remain involved as future alumni. My parents taught me that I should give back to those who have given so much to me, and being a member of the Alumni Board is one way that I could live up to that expectation.
"
• Linda M. Tatten ’95 - Candidate for Director-at-Large
Major: B.A. Political Science/Economics
Professional Experience: Owner, Travel by Tatten, Tzell New England.
Board Member, TTN Boston.
Member, Social & Events Committee, TTN Boston.
Linda served as an AAB Director-at-Large from 1999-2001.
"The reason I would like to serve on the Board is because of my experience at Emmanuel College, as a nontraditional student. I attended classes in the evening, after work, and on weekends. I was balancing many things, starting a business, family illness and traveling for my business. I found Emmanuel College to be welcoming and very supportive, making it all possible. The only part of my experience lacking, as a nontraditional student, was coming in just in time for classes, and not having the time to connect with other students, to build lasting relationships. I would like to work toward offering current and former students a way to connect, to be more engaged in the wonderful Emmanuel College Community.
"
• Patrick J. Vittner ’16 - Candidate for Re-election, Director-at-Large
Major: B.A. Psychology, minor Management
Professional & Volunteer Experience:
Sr. Clinical Site Manager at Merck.
Chair, AAB Nominating Committee.
Patrick has served as an AAB Director-at-Large since 2021.
"Patrick currently serves as a Director At-Large on the Emmanuel College Alumni Association Board of Directors (AAB) and has recently taken on the position to be Chair of the Nominating Committee. His purpose to run for another term on the AAB is to continue fostering relationships within the Emmanuel College community and to inspire further growth amongst the board."