In honor of National Entrepreneurship Week, Seton Hill University hosted the fourth annual “This Way Up and On to Success” student alumni networking event on Thursday, February 23. Sponsored by Westmoreland Keystone Innovation Zone, Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland County and Seton Hill University Wukich Center for Entrepreneurial Opportunities, “This Way Up and On to Success” consisted of an alumni/entrepreneurial panel and round table breakouts with career experts.
The panel discussion was facilitated by Douglas Nelson, D.Sc., assistant professor of business and director of the Wukich Center for Entrepreneurial Opportunities. The panelists, Krista Boyer, Psy.D., Rachel Crooks, Marianne Miele, Craig Morella, Erin O’Brien, Marchae Peters and Michael Rubino, shared their personal professional stories with the audience.

Twenty-four alumni representing six fields participated in the round table discussions. Alumni representation included: business, Chad Amond, MBA ’05, Ryann Bradley, MBA ’07, Kathie Brean, ’99, Michelle P. Cunningham, ’86, Annette Holder ’01, MBA ’11, Donte Parker ’10 and Brenda Schaffer ’01, MBA ’04; entrepreneurial studies, William Brown SVC ’89, Judy Silvis DiNardo ’77, Cynthia Gainer ’84, Lisa Morella ’06, Craig Morella ’04 and Melissa Wojcik O’Brien ’96; health and sciences studies, Marchae Peters, ’08, Karen Harouse-Bell, ’82, Kimberly Schaaf, ’02, Andrea Zalno, ’10, Krista Boyer, ’03 MBA ’07, Psy.D. and Rachel Crooks ’06, ’10; history and law, Timothy Blasko, ’06, Erin Pearson O’Brien ’04 and Marianne Miele ’80, MBA ’06; arts, Michael Rubino, ’07.

Students were encouraged to participate in the round table discussion with the alumni. Representatives from Seton Hill University’s CareerWorks were on hand to share information and assist students with career choices, internships and networking.

“As a senior communication major, networking with the alumni and faculty was very helpful in directing me in my path,” stated Amara Lang. “After asking the panel a question, I gained a valuable response, and also learned about how valuable our university’s CareerWorks is to students. Seeing our alumni’s career paths proves to me that Seton Hill can take you anywhere.”