Alumni Notes – Spring 2019
Business
Christopher Persaud, BS ’02, of New Milford, NJ, recently retired from his position as a grants specialist/assistant controller at Newark Community Health Centers Inc. He has written 10 books — four of which have won international literary awards — in the areas of Christian apologetics and comparative religion. Persaud earned a Bachelor of Science in Business with an emphasis in accounting from Excelsior College in 2002.
Robert Leonard, BPS ’15, of Valier, MT, was recently sworn in by Montana Attorney General Tim Fox as one of five criminal investigators working for the Montana Department of Justice/Department of Corrections. Leonard is a former SWAT/narcotics detective with 12 years’ experience. He earned a Bachelor of Professional Studies from Excelsior College.
Miguel A. Herrera, BS ’18, of Yantzaza, Ecuador, a regional manager with Fundación Enseña Ecuador, was invited this past August by the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia to participate as a panelist and facilitator in the Khebrah International Forum for Teachers 2018, organized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Teach for All network. Prior to earning a Bachelor of Science in Business at Excelsior College, Herrera earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral in Ecuador in 2016.
Liberal Arts
Michael LaFerney, BS ’79, of Lakeville, MA, received a master’s equivalency certificate in applied ecopsychology from Project NatureConnect, whose program courses were taken from Portland State University. He earned a bachelor’s in liberal arts from Excelsior College.
Harold Geller, BS ’83, of Burke, VA, recently co-authored the book, “Renewable Energy: A First Course” and was featured in George Mason University’s “Faces of Mason” student newspaper feature. Geller earned a bachelor’s in liberal arts from Excelsior College in 1983 and hopes to retire from George Mason University in 2020.
Farrell Chiles, BS ’92, of Pomona, CA, recently authored the book, “African American Warrant Officers — Preserving Their Legacy.” Chiles earned a bachelor’s in liberal arts from Excelsior College in 1992.
George L. Salis, BS ’95, of Sarasota, FL, was recently promoted to principal economist and tax policy advisor at Vertex Inc., a global tax software and technology company. After earning a bachelor’s in liberal arts from Excelsior College, he earned a master’s from the University of Baltimore and several tax studies certificates from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, St. Thomas University, and the University of Wolverhampton.
Jean-Jacques Senechal, BS ’95, of Brooklyn, NY, recently received a license from the New York State Department of Financial Services and is pursuing his securities license, which will enable him to work as a consultant in the securities industry. He is also writing a book. Senechal earned a bachelor’s in liberal arts from Excelsior College in 1995.
Dawn Strait, BS ’98, of Port Richey, FL, earned a master’s in strategic communication from Liberty University in 2018. She is enrolled in the doctor of education program at Northcentral University. Strait earned a bachelor’s in liberal arts from Excelsior in 1998.
James Bedient, AS ’99, BS ’12, of Daggett, MI, recently graduated from Western New Mexico University with a master’s in interdisciplinary studies. He earned an associate in liberal arts and bachelor’s in liberal arts from Excelsior College.
Shenlei E. Winkler, BS ’99, of Lansing, MI, recently finished an animated short film, “Arrivals & Departures,” with her production partner, CEH Productions, and was invited to submit the film into the “new frontiers” category at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Winkler was recently awarded a co-patent with IBM for virtual world-based product design. She earned a bachelor’s in liberal arts from Excelsior College.
Walter Kroptavich, BS ’08, of New Windsor, NY, a budget analyst with the U.S. Army, is a 2018 Presidential Management Fellow finalist. In addition to a bachelor’s in liberal arts from Excelsior College, Kroptavich earned a master’s in information systems from the University of Phoenix in 2009, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2016, and a juris doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2016.
Larry Sargeant, MA ’11, of Little Falls, NY, recently published his debut novel, “The Saga of Chief Barking Loincloth,” a part-biography, part-fiction tome. Sargeant earned a master’s in liberal studies from Excelsior College and previously earned a bachelor’s in education from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1972. He writes that he has been a soldier, corporate buyer, professional skydiver, furniture salesman, small-time carny, shoe designer, and factory manager. He recently retired from teaching.
Denise Boroughs-Fitch, BS ’14, of Woodland, CA, has been accepted into Walden University’s Master of Healthcare Administration program. She is a clinic director with Scripps Clinic, and earned a bachelor’s in liberal arts from Excelsior College.
Nursing
Karen Cox, AS ’82, of Kansas City, MO, recently became the new president of Chamberlain University College of Nursing in Downers Grove, Illinois. She earned an Associate in Science in Nursing from Excelsior College.
Lewis B. Williams, AS ’90, of Henderson, NV, is a nursing supervisor with Horizon Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Henderson. He earned an associate degree in nursing from Excelsior College and also earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Wayne State University in 1985 and a MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2007.
James Desiderati, AS ’01, of Northumberland, PA, recently patented and launched with his wife an end-of-life conversation guide called “Elephant in the Room.” Desiderati earned an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing from Excelsior College in 2001.
Lou Ann Gleason, AS ’04, BS ’11, MS ’15, of Ellisburg, NY, is a school nurse with the South Jefferson Central School District and was recently appointed president of the New York State Association of School Nurses. A three-time Excelsior College graduate, Gleason earned an Associate in Science in Nursing in 2004, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2011, and Master of Science in Nursing, with a specialization in nursing education, in 2015.
Elizabeth Nelson-Frazier, AS ’08, of Norwell, MA, is a family nurse practitioner with Harbor Community Health Center on Cape Cod. She has worked in multiple fields, including general medicine, women’s health, urgent care, and psychiatry. After earning an Associate in Science in Nursing from Excelsior College, Nelson-Frazier earned a bachelor’s in English from the University at Massachusetts in 2003 and a master’s in nursing from Regis College in 2014.
Megan Keenan, AS ’11, BS and MS ’15, of Nassau, NY, recently received a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Grand Canyon University. A two-time graduate of Excelsior College, Keenan earned an associate degree in nursing in 2011 and a BS and MS in nursing in 2015. In addition, she also earned a post-master’s certificate in nursing education from Excelsior College in 2017.
Razell Perry, AS ’11, BS ’13, of Clarksville, TN, says, “Excelsior College has provided a great start in my nursing career. I didn’t think obtaining my RN was possible after multiple military relocations. Once I found Excelsior, I was able to complete my ADN and BSN within 3–4 years. I am so thankful.” In addition to associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Excelsior College, Perry earned a master’s in management and leadership from Western Governor’s University in 2018.
Monica Muamba, MS ’12, of Altamont, NY, has received two awards since graduation: one from Alpha Kappa Sorority in 2012 for encouraging education in the community, and one from the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute Inc. in 2017 for nurse of the year. Muamba earned a master’s in nursing from Excelsior College in 2012.
Technology
Brady McNulty, BS ’11, of Roseburg, OR, a pharmacist and cartoonist, was recently named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), which is based in London. McNulty publishes thought-provoking cartoons each month online and in small newspapers and magazines throughout the United States. He earned a bachelor’s in nuclear engineering technology from Excelsior College.
