University of Scranton Graduate Students Earn Awards

Jan 31, 2011

        Ten graduate students at The University of Scranton were named recipients of Frank O’Hara Awards, which recognizes students with the highest grade point average at approximately the mid-point of their master’s degree programs in each of Scranton’s graduate programs. The award is named in honor of the late Frank O’Hara, who served the University for 53 years in various administrative positions.

        Pamela L. Hughes, a resident of Gouldsboro, is currently pursuing a master’s degree MBA. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Montclair State University.  She holds a CPA license in the state and previously served on the Finance Committee of the Pocono Spring Civic Association. She has been an active participant through her employer the United Way of Monroe County and the United Way of Lackawanna County Head Start boot and food drives and Adopt-A-Family programs.

        Ashley Hughes, Jermyn, is currently pursuing a master’s degree in elementary and secondary school counseling. She graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the Pennsylvania State University. While a full-time student, she also works as a part-time therapeutic support staff through NHS Human Services, Carbondale and a part-time graduate assistant in the counseling and human services department. She is active in University programs including Promoting Awareness of College Transition (P.A.C.T.) and Peace Makers, a group dedicated to promoting peace in the community among children.

        Rebecca Georgia Emiliani, a Scranton native, is pursuing a master’s degree in secondary education and a teaching certificate in biology. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from The University and Scranton, and a juris doctoral degree at the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State Univeristy. After law school, she was employed as a clerk in the Lackawanna Court of Common Pleas. She was also a member of the St. Ann Basilica parish council and is active in the PTA at Frances Willard Elementary School.

        Alan G. Hartman, Bronx, N.Y., is pursuing a master’s degree in theology. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Manhattan College, a master’s in Hispanic studies from Boston College, a master’s in Italian studies from Middlebury College, where he is also all-but-dissertation in the doctor of foreign languages program. Previously, he taught Spanish and Italian at East Stroudsburg University and is currently the director of modern foreign languages at Mercy College, where he teaches Spanish and Italian. He is a founding member of YoBro (Yonkers-North Bronx Young Male Catholic Professionals Association) and active in his parish, St. Barnabas.

        John Perreault, a native of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., who now resides in Nashville, N.C., is pursuing a graduate degree in school administration. He graduated from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in history and from Union Graduate College with a teaching degree. Currently, he is a geography teacher in Rocky Mount, N.C. He is also a coach for the middle school’s boys’ basketball team. During the summer, Perreault is an instructor at the General Hugh Shelton Leadership Challenge at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Wesleyan College, a program that teaches value-based leadership skills to high school students through North Carolina.

        Ana C. De Los Santos Guillen is pursuing a master’s degree in human resources administration. Born in San Pedro de Macaris, Dominican Republic, she grew up Puerto Rico and relocated to Scranton as a teen. She attended the Pennsylvania State University where she studied labor studies and industrial relations. Previously, she worked as human resources manager at a textile manufacturing company, responsible for recruiting, diversity management, benefits administration and more. As a certified public tax notary and tax specialist, she translates documents to and from Spanish for the immigrant community in Scranton. She also created and manages the Noble Project, which donates non-perishable and hygiene items to the needy population in Scranton.

        Kelly McGovern, Cedar Grove, N.J., is pursuing her doctoral degree in physical therapy. She earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science summa cum laude from The University of Scranton, where she was a resident assistant, a member of the Physical Therapy Club and president of the Exercise Science Club. She has also served as a graduate assistant in the physical therapy department. She has worked at several physical therapy clinics, including Surburban Physical Therapy Center, Cedar Grove, as a receptionist and aide; Chilton Memorial Hospital, Pompton Plains, N.J., as an intern for the in-patient acute care rehabilitation services staff; and Caldwell Therapy Center as an intern for the orthopedic staff. 

        Michael Pedley, Avoca, is pursing a master’s degree in software engineering. He graduated magna cum laude  from the Wilkes University with a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems. He is currently employed full-time as a software developer at Diversified Information Technologies, Scranton, where he is responsible for designing database-driven applications. He is a member of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the international honor society for the computing sciences, and volunteers for NEPA Give Camp, a week-long event where software developers, designers and database administrators donate time to create custom software for non-profit organizations.

        Patricia Zawislak, Clark Summit, is pursuing a master’s degree in nursing with a focus in adult health. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Villanova University. She is currently employed at The University of Scranton as the assistant director of the Nursing Lab and serves as perinatal educator at Moses Taylor Hospital. Prior, she gained experienced in home health and critical care nursing. She is an active member of her parish, Our Lady of Snow, where she serves as a Eucharistic minister and booth chairperson for the church’s bazaar.

OHara Graduate Students

Ten graduate students at The University of Scranton were named recipients of Frank O’Hara Awards for academic excellence. Seated, from left, are Jeffrey Welsh, Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education, and O’Hara Award recipients Ana C. De Los Santos Guillen and Alan G. Hartman. Standing from left are, O’Hara Award recipients Rebecca Georgia Emiliani, Ashley Hughes, John Perreault, Patricia Zawislak, Kelly McGovern and Pamela L. Hughes. Michael Pedley is absent from the photo.


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