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Meet the SNHU Alumni Board of Directors

Executive Board

JR Ristaino '82Bret Cohen '17Samantha Colby '13 '15GPeter Perich '76 '85G

Directors

Headshot of person looking forward smiling with text Vishal Bhatia '16MBAKelly Boyce '12 '14GHeadshot of person in suit smiling with overlay of words reading "Stephen Burkhart '16 '19G '22G"Headshot of man in suit with text Shawn Burnham '09Rachael Comstock '10GMark DeFazio '10 '14GMatt DeMichele '15Aarron R. Dupuis '19MBAHeadshot of woman outdoors with text Gloria Lee '21MBAKathryn McCullough '14MBAWade Philbrick '85Headshot of man outdoors with text Michael Ramella '20 '21GWayne Robinson '81Dave Stuer '87GTia Williams '20Justin Woodard '10Michael Yotts '07

Student Representatives

Headshot of man with text Ryan Barrett '22Woman looking forward smiling with text reading Cortney Hardwick '20

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John "JR" Ristaino '82, President

JR Ristaino '82

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management

Current Organization & Position: The Granite YMCA, Vice President Financial Development

What’s your favorite SNHU memory from your time as a student?

My favorite memory as a student and as an alumnus is one in the same; friendships. The friends I made while a student on campus and have retained through the years as an alumnus are my very favorite memory of SNHU. These friendships include those who were students with me as well as faculty and administration. Whether I see them often or only once every thirty years, our shared experiences have forged relationships that survive the test of time. I have been told I bleed blue and gold. If I do, it is because of the friendships and shared experiences begun while on campus and continued through the years after graduation. The University motto rings true: Summa Optimaque (The Greatest and the Best). SNHU students, administration, faculty and staff past and present along with its alumni are the greatest and the best. #PenmenPride and #PenmenProud

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Bret Cohen '17, Vice President

Bret Cohen '17

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Studies in Computer Information Technology

Current Organization & Position: California Department Motor Vehicles, IT Manager

Why did you join the Alumni Board of Directors?

Focused on giving back to SNHU and to work with future and current alumni.

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Samantha Colby '13 '15G, Vice President

Samantha Colby '13 '15G

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Three Year Honors Program & Master of Science in Sport Management

Current Organization & Position: HRchitect, Marketing Director

What's your favorite SNHU experience as an alumna?

My favorite experience as an alumna was participating in one of the Global Days of Service events in Dallas. Not only was this event an incredible opportunity to make a difference in a local community, but it was an opportunity to see how far-reaching the SNHU community has grown to be. It was fun to connect with current students and alumni from both online and on campus. Each participant had different educational experiences with SNHU, we were all united by Penmen Pride and sharing that sense of community with others is truly amazing!

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Peter Perich '76 '85G, Director Emeritus 

Peter Perich, Alumni Treasurer

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Accounting & Master of Science in Business Education

Current Organization & Position: Retired; formerly of Manchester Memorial High School, Assistant Principal

What’s your favorite SNHU memory from your time as a student?

My favorite thing was pledging my fraternity, playing sports at New Hampshire College, and meeting some lifelong friends. Through my student involvement, I learned to be a contributing member of my community by volunteering in my spare time.

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Vishal Bhatia '16MBA

Person looking forward smiling

Degree: Master of Business Administration with concentration in International Business

Current Organization & Position: CES LTD, Sr.Director Consulting Engineering and ERP

Why did you join the Alumni Board of Directors?

I joined the Alumni Board to make a difference in students' and graduates' lives by providing them with the right guidance and motivation.

Kelly (Haskell) Boyce '12 '14G

Kelly Boyce '12 '14G

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Business & Master of Science in Marketing 

Current Organization & Position: Axis Communications, Marketing Events Specialist

Why did you join the Alumni Board of Directors?

I joined the Alumni Board to get closer to the SNHU community. Although I was very involved during my time as an undergrad, I seem to have lost touch over the years. I'm looking forward to connecting with alumni and helping others find their way back to SNHU after graduating. 

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Stephen Burkhart '16 '19G '22G

Stephen Burkhart '16 '19GDegrees: Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a specialization in Public Relations, Master of Arts in Communication, Master of Science in Organizational Leadership

Current Organization & Position: Southern New Hampshire University, Senior Project Manager

Why did you join the Alumni Board of Directors?

SNHU has been an experience of a lifetime that has provided me opportunities to participate, engage, expand my know knowledge beyond the classroom, and develop long-lasting friendships. I wanted to become part of that incredible legacy and do my part as an alumnus to pass along that same commitment to students and alumni everywhere. 

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Shawn Burnham '09

Headshot of man in suitDegrees: Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

Current Organization & Position: Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Analyst

What's your favorite SNHU experience as an alumnus?

I would have to say Homecoming Weekend as a whole. While attending SNHU I developed an incredible circle of friends. We still try and get together as a group as much as we can. Homecoming Weekend brings us back to our roots and our old stomping grounds. We love getting back to campus to see how things have grown and maybe catch up with people we may not normally see. It is something that I look forward to every year.

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Rachael Comstock '10G

Rachel Comstock

Degree: Master of Science in Accounting

Current Organization & Position: Iron Heart Canning Company, LLC, Director of Finance

Why did you join the Alumni Board of Directors?

I joined the Alumni Board of Directors in order to stay connected to the University and to work with current students by helping them prepare for their careers after graduation.

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Mark DeFazio '10 '14G

Mark DeFazio '10 '14G

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Marketing & Master of Science in Organizational Leadership

Current Organization & Position: Keller Williams Showcase Properties Boston, Real Estate Business Owner

Why did you join the Alumni Board of Directors?

I joined the Alumni Board because it allows me to stay connected and give back to the campus community that gave so much to me. In this role, I value the opportunity to stay connected to SNHU in a meaningful way, connect and learn from other fellow alumni, and lend my experiences to help the University continue to mature and succeed. I appreciated the excellent education, career opportunities, and relationships that I developed while earning my degrees at SNHU. I wanted to be a part of the team that helps ensure future generations receive this same experience.  

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Matt DeMichele '15

Matthew DeMichele, Board member

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Business

Current Organization & Position: Chick-fil-A, Franchise Owner/Operator

What are you most excited about tackling as a Board member?

I am most excited about finding unique ways this year to connect our University, during a time when the community is not only virtual, but global.

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Aarron R. Dupuis '19MBA

Mark DeFazio '10 '14G

Degree: Master of Business Administration with concentration in Public Administration

Current Organization & Position: Campus Compact for New Hampshire, Community Relations Coordinator

Why did you join the Alumni Board of Directors?

I was so excited to join the Alumni Board of Directors because of the great work that the board is doing. Community is a really important part of life and through my experiences with SNHU, the alumni community is very special. As a student and now alumni, I had many opportunities to work on my own personal and professional growth and participate in meaningful events and work. I cannot wait to connect with alumni and help build community as well as continue to volunteer during Global Days of Service. I have gained so much as a student and am excited to give back in this way. Yay Penmen!  

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Gloria J. Lee '21MBA

Headshot of woman outdoors

SNHU Degree: Master of Business Administration with concentration in Human Resources

Current Organization & Position: Somos, Inc., Director of Human Resources, Training and Development

What are you most excited about tackling as a Board member?

SNHU is fortunate to have students both on campus and online, representing an incredible amount of diversity in our student population. I look forward to discovering new ways to engage our community wherever they are and however they need us!

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Katie McCullough '14MBA

Kathryn McCullough '14MBA

SNHU Degree: Master of Business Administration with concentration in Healthcare Management

Current Organization & Position: Amwell, Project Manager

Why did you join the Alumni Board of Directors?

As a former online student, I feel it's incredibly important to engage and foster the connections made at SNHU for all communities. As an online student, it is by nature, more difficult to make connections with fellow peers and my drive for joining is to expand these connections and ensure that post graduation, students feel they have a solid network of colleagues from their SNHU experience. I am very focused on helping alumni with professional development and networking in their regional community as well as the global SNHU community.

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Wade Philbrick '85

Wade Philbrick '85Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Management Advisory Services

Current Organization & Position: The Coca-Cola Company, Retired

Why did you join the Alumni Board of Directors?

I see significant changes coming in the way alumni organizations operate due to the transformational nature of how education is consumed. As more and more students graduate from online programs, alumni boards need to update the ways in which they connect and engage with alumni. New methods of community involvement and new communication platforms will be required and I find it exciting to be on the forefront of those changes. Future alumni chapters will look, feel, and operate differently. I want to help shape that vision and bring it to life.

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Michael Ramella '20 '21G

Headshot of man outdoorsDegrees: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Master of Science in Higher Education Administration

Current Organization & Position: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Director of Auxiliary Services

Why is it important to give back as an alumnus?

To me, giving back is a means of paying it forward. Whether financially, through volunteering, or even as simple as spreading the good word, it is our responsibility as alumni to ensure that others have the exposure to the fantastic programs we were fortunate to discover. Southern New Hampshire University is the institution that allowed me to gain the education I needed to advance my career and enhance my life, and I will be forever grateful.

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Wayne Robinson '81

Wayne RobinsonDegrees: Bachelor of Science in Economics & Finance

Current Organization & Position: Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Internal Auditor

What are you most excited about tackling as a Board member?

As the alumni base grows globally, ensuring that the Alumni Association has the proper governance structure that is diversified, inclusive, and engaged.

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Dave Stuer '87G

Dave Stuer '87GDegree: Master of Science in Accounting

Current Organization & Position: Self-employed financial leader/business advisor

 

  


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Tia Williams '20

Tia Williams '20Degree: Master of Science in Accounting with concentration in Taxation

Current Organization & Position: Clough Group, U.S. Tax Manager

Why is it important to give back as an alumnus/alumna?

SNHU has been a saving grace for me. I started college in 1992 and I teetered through life going to various other universities, but I never felt more than just a number until I came to SNHU. Southern New Hampshire University truly cares about the students and their well-being. I also now have that same passion about education and I would like to be a vessel to other students to help them pursue and further their educational goals.

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Justin Woodard '10

Justin Woodard, Board Member

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in History

Current Organization & Position: Bentley University, Associate Director of the Residential Center

Why is it important to give back as an alumnus?

SNHU provided me a community, a family of people that I could lean on. It also offered opportunities to find myself and discover my passions. I am where I am today, as a direct result of the people I met and the experiences I had in those short four years. For me, it is important to give back in any way I can, in hopes that future students may have a similar experience to my own. 

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Ryan Barrett '22, Student Representative

Peter Perich, Alumni Treasurer

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Technology

Current Organization & Position: Londonderry School District, Information Technology Intern; SNHU Student Government Association, President

Why did you join the Alumni Board of Directors?

I joined to represent the current campus students of the University to the Alumni Board. Also, this is a great way for the current students to stay connected to the SNHU members before them and make sure things that the Alumni started are continued and built upon for years to come.

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Cortney Hardwick '21, Student Representative

Person looking forward smiling

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; currently enrolled in Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Current Organization & Position: Hill Country Crisis Center, Intern 

Why did you join the Alumni Board of Directors?

SNHU has offered me the opportunity to grow and make connections that I don't think I would have otherwise. Through the Student Engagement Council, I have been able to get the social aspect of the college experience and it has helped me grow professionally and personally. I joined the Alumni Board of Directors for a chance to give a little of that back.

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