Alumni & Friends
Welcome to "In Case You Missed It" - where we share news, updates, and stories from across SNHU, just in case ... well ... you missed it.
When Consolee Amina '20 first arrived in South Africa in 2013, she was faced with the prospect of building a new life with little to no support. Consolee knew that higher education would be key to creating a secure life in her new home.
“One of the hardest things was learning in a new language, which made it hard to communicate at first,” said Consolee. “Balancing my studies while going through major life transitions was tough, especially in a foreign land where support was limited. There were moments of doubt and uncertainty when I felt like I was starting over in more ways than one.”
Consolee worked hard in her English classes to overcome the language barrier and applied to programs that would allow her to continue her education.
“I always reminded myself why I began this journey – to build a stronger future for myself and create opportunities for others. Education became my anchor, giving me purpose and strength when everything was changing.”
In 2018, Consolee received a scholarship from SNHU GEM and Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management with a concentration in Global Perspectives. She quickly threw herself into her studies, receiving the support and guidance from counselors and staff that she needed to build her confidence and take control of her future.
“With each project I mastered, I could see myself changing, transforming for the better, and regaining my confidence,” said Consolee. “I am really grateful for the opportunity to study through SNHU GEM and Scalabrini Centre. Without this chance, my journey would have been much more difficult.”
Consolee graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 2020. For Consolee, her degree was more than a piece of paper.
"Getting my B.A. was more than simply obtaining a degree, it was taking back my future,” Consolee said. “It proved that I had a voice and something valuable to contribute."
Today, Consolee enjoys helping other learners, especially women, pursue higher education. She works at the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town as an Academic Trainer and Advisor designing curriculums, leading workshops, teaching English, and supporting her students as they use education to transform their own lives.
“Teaching is something I truly enjoy. Education changed my life, and through this role I hope to inspire and empower others in the same way,” Consolee said.
Consolee earned her MBA in 2024 and is now planning to pursue a PhD in Education to improve student learning, help develop better study programs, and continue empowering others through education.
Consolee has one piece of advice for her fellow students: Never stop believing in yourself. “Especially to women in higher education – we are strong, capable, and deserving of every success. Your dreams matter, your voice matters, and you are meant to achieve great things.”
Learn more about the SNHU GEM Program.
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The Math Buddies program was started more than twelve years ago by SNHU faculty member Dr. Pamela Cohen. Math Buddies partners with different local youth programs and Manchester schools, such as Polaris Charter School and the 21st Century Program, and will soon be established at the YMCA. Each semester, SNHU students dedicate around 10 to 12 hours to working with small groups of elementary and middle school students, helping them with math games, homework, and activities like “Math Island,” a creative coloring math sheet.
When Dr. Cohen left SNHU and in-person activities paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Math Buddies program came to an unfortunate end. However, this year, alumna Sara Conway ‘15, who had been a student participant in the program in 2013 under Dr. Cohen, restored the program. Now, returning to her alma mater as a faculty member at SNHU, Conway has successfully brought back the program this past fall semester. She collaborated with the Director of Service Learning Programs Kelley Hobbs from The Chandler Center to reintroduce the Math Buddies program for her math education students.
Conway says, “As a student, I think Math Buddies was my first time working directly with students, rather than just observing classrooms. It gave me an opportunity to teach math to small groups of students and solidified my thoughts that I wanted to teach middle school. Now, as a faculty member, I was so excited to provide my students with the same experience. I wanted to bring this back to get students working on math with students early in their program, hoping it would give students more confidence teaching math.”
Kelley Hobbs, who oversees the service-learning program at SNHU, highlights its mutual benefits, “Math Buddies is an essential service-learning program because it gives SNHU students real-world experience while providing much-needed math support to Manchester school district kids. I love hearing college students say things like, ‘I taught someone how to multiply today!’ It’s such a proud moment for both the college student mentor and the youth student learner.”
Feedback from the program’s partner schools underscores its value. Midway through the semester, partner staff emailed Hobbs to share the program’s impact, emphasizing its reciprocal benefits for both the SNHU students and the younger learners.
Math Buddies is an experiential learning component of a service-learning course called Math 107, Math for Educators, designed for aspiring teachers in the School of Education. The class this past fall semester culminated in a poster-board session where students shared their experiences through visuals and reflections. Conway reflects that “at the poster session, I overheard a student say, ‘I was able to explain something because of what we learned in [MAT107]’. This really made my decision to bring the program back worth it!”
Love is celebrated in many forms. These 3 SNHU couples remind us that love goes beyond romantic gestures—it’s about mutual support, resilience, and working together to achieve shared dreams.
Samiyah and Diana
Samiyah Muhammad '23 and Diana Sanda '21 '23G have always been each other’s biggest supporters, working side by side to achieve their goals. Together, they overcame homelessness and health challenges while raising their son and working to earn their degrees at SNHU. Diana pursued a degree hoping to make a career change to IT, while Samiyah’s degree is advancing her work advocating for marginalized communities in healthcare and justice. Samiyah chose to forgo her own ceremony to walk with Diana, symbolizing their shared commitment to each other and their journey together.
“We hope to show our son that you can overcome any obstacle. No matter what is placed in front of you, you can go get it. No matter how long it takes, or how rough the journey is.” - Samiyah
Phillip and AutumnAutumn '23G and Phillip Cole’s '24G journey is an example of perseverance and partnership. Throughout their SNHU studies, the duo always supported one another, sharing late-night study sessions and constant encouragement. Growing up in an area with limited access to education and a high poverty rate, Phillip shared that earning his MBA is a meaningful accomplishment that demonstrates how he overcame significant challenges and defied the odds. His dedication to his education inspired Autumn to pursue her own, motivating her with the belief that they were not just shaping their futures, but also creating a legacy for those who would follow.
“It was very important for us to leave a blueprint for our peers, friends, and family to say, 'If we can do it, you can do it too.’” - Phillip
Terry and LaKeshiaTerry '23 '24G and Lakeshia Harney '24 have spent decades building a life together, raising four kids while supporting each other’s dreams. As a military family, they balanced the demands of duty, family life, and education. Terry, a U.S. veteran, earned two degrees with SNHU while continuing his work for the Army as a civilian, and Lakeshia’s degree came to fruition after 20 years in the making. At Commencement, their four children watched with pride as their parents crossed the stage together, knowing how much effort it took to get there.
“Words can’t even express how I feel getting to walk the stage with my beautiful wife.” - Terry
We’re thrilled to celebrate Mallory Vincent ’15 ’20MBA for being honored by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) as a member of the Leadership Academy’s 16th graduating class!
Mallory was selected for this prestigious opportunity based on their outstanding leadership skills and professional experience, earning a spot among just 30 CPAs nationwide chosen for the four-day Leadership Academy program this December. The program is designed to empower emerging accounting and finance professionals, encouraging deep reflection on leadership, personal growth, and the future of the profession.
Participants—nominated by their employers, state CPA societies, or volunteer organizations—join a network of talented and driven CPAs who are shaping the industry’s future. Since its inception, more than 480 professionals have completed the AICPA Leadership Academy, many of whom have gone on to lead in their firms, businesses, and communities.
From discovering his passion for fashion to learning the fundamentals of business, Noah Melker '23 discusses how SNHU’s support and resources guided him on his journey. Watch as he shares the inspiration behind Unik, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
For the past 20 years, SNHU students have been dedicating their spring breaks to meaningful service-based travel experiences to learn and reflect on complex social issues, making an impact in communities far and wide. This year, The Chandler Center at SNHU coordinated two groups of students to take part in the 2025 Alternative Break program and sponsored a third faculty-led trip for education students. These trips gave students an opportunity to explore community social issues and engage with local communities while fostering their development as active, globally minded citizens.
From March 2-9, a group of 12 SNHU students and two SNHU staff members traveled to Puerto Rico to partner with Community Collaborations International (CCI). This year’s Alternative Break in Puerto Rico focused on various environmental and social challenges including conservation and eco-system preservation, animal welfare, and community revitalization.
Students spent their days working on hands-on service projects contributing a total of 241 volunteer hours in just one week. Their work supported a variety of local organizations, from preparing urban garden lots with Esperanza Para la Vejez to tree planting with Eco Culture. Projects also included beach monitoring with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, cleaning at Luquillo Safe Haven animal shelter, gardening at Para la Naturaleza’s tree nursery and painting at Hosanna Christian Academy.
“Getting to help the community of Puerto Rico meant so much to me it brought a lot of new perceptions in my life,” shared first-year student Ezra Twahirwa. “Being able to spend time with my peers helping in Puerto Rico was such a rewarding process and I’m forever grateful for the experiences that I gained on the trip.”
In addition to their volunteer work, students had time to explore the island’s natural beauty, visiting local beaches and coral reefs, where they were able to learn about environmental preservation efforts first-hand.
Another group of SNHU students traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, to partner with the Medici Project. This trip focused on addressing human trafficking, an issue that remains critical on both a national and global scale.
From March 2-7, students worked on several impactful projects aimed at supporting survivors of trafficking. The group traveled to Atlanta to volunteer with organizations on the front lines of the fight against human trafficking, completing 219 hours of community service. They volunteered with Wellspring Duluth Treasures, Freedom Hill, Street Grace, House of Cherish and Frontline Response International, supporting survivor services, outreach efforts and prevention programs. Throughout the week, students deepened their understanding of the complex realities of sex trafficking in the Atlanta metro area and the powerful role of community-based solutions.
“Alternative Break this year was truly incredible! I went into the trip knowing little to nothing about human trafficking,” shared senior Kyle Furey. “Through meeting and hearing a survivor’s story firsthand, I learned the impact of human trafficking and how I could help spread awareness in my own community. There’s no better way to educate yourself about a social issue than hearing from real people affected by it in their own community.”
This trip offered students a powerful opportunity to learn about advocacy and prevention efforts through meaningful site visits to local organizations in the Atlanta area. They finished off their experience by dining with local alumni to reflect on their week of service and connection in a city rich with history and heart.
From March 3-7, seven SNHU education students traveled to Placencia, Belize, to work with students from pre-school age to 8th graders for a meaningful service-learning experience focused on global education and cross-cultural learning.
Led by Dr. Abigail Bergen, Assistant Professor in General Special Education at SNHU, the group partnered with the Placencia Village School to support local teachers and students.
Students worked with the principal and classroom teachers to create activities to target identified areas of need for the grade level. Lessons included sensory exploration, comprehension and rate. Students collaborated with the staff of the school to brainstorm ideas and lessons for struggling students.
“After only a couple of days in the community, kids were approaching our students in the community to say hi and talk about the school day,” shared Dr. Bergen. “The SNHU education students quickly became a part of the village, and it was evident that the village quickly had an everlasting impact on our SNHU students.”
Before leaving campus, SNHU students hosted a donation drive for school supplies to bring on the trip. Throughout the week in Palencia, the SNHU students completed 224 hours of service. The experience offered students the opportunity to apply their teaching skills in a real-world, international setting while gaining valuable insight into education systems abroad.
All three trips provided students with a unique combination of service-learning, cultural immersion and personal growth. The Alternative Break program and Faculty-Led Service trips are designed not only to make a difference in the community’s students serve, but also to foster empathy, critical thinking, and a broader understanding of global issues.
"These trips help our students view the world through different lenses, challenge their assumptions, and develop the skills they need to make a lasting impact, both in their communities and beyond,” shared Associate Director of The Chandler Center Kirsten Farrell.
Are you interested in connecting with SNHU students on their Alternative Break? Planning is already underway for 2026! Below are the locations and serving learning topics:
If you live in those areas and have a background connected to the serving learning topics, please contact alumni@snhu.edu.
In April 2025, The Chandler Center celebrated another successful year of volunteerism and civic engagement at the15th annual Community Engagement Awards. The celebration was planned and run entirely by students, which included presentations from many student speakers recognizing their peers for their commitment and dedication to service. Students were recognized in 6 distinguished categories:
Alongside community and campus partners, attendees reflected on the past academic year-where the SNHU campus community completed more than 12,000 hours of community service through service-learning, college access programming, volunteering in the local community and participating in service-based travel experiences. 112 students were also recognized during the ceremony for completing 25 or more hours of service throughout the past year. Additionally, graduates who logged over 100 volunteer hours during their SNHU journey were honored with orange graduation cords. The graduates wore the cords at their Commencement ceremonies to represent their amazing accomplishment. View photos from the celebration.
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