CLASS NOTES
Deborah Balthazar ’17 has begun her fellowship with the award-winning health, science and medicine publication STAT in Boston. She is a recipient of the 2023-24 Sharon Begley Science Reporting Fellowship from STAT and the Knight Science Journalism Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Balthazar holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and minors in English and chemistry from Caldwell and a master’s in science journalism from NYU. Balthazar says she is excited to continue to follow her passion for communicating science, which started at Caldwell University. Her biology professor at Caldwell, William A. Velhagen Jr., Ph.D., associate dean, said, “Sharon Begley was a great science journalist; I enjoyed reading her work. I am glad Deborah received this fellowship, and I look forward to reading more of what she will write.”
Quin DeLaRosa ’20, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in political science and music from Caldwell, has accepted a position as an archivist at Yale’s Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. DeLaRosa recently received an M.A. in Archives and Public History from NYU and completed the seasonal Dulles Fellowship for Princeton University Library Special Collections during the summer of 2022. “I can say with confidence that my B.A. in History and minor in political science have aided me enormously in my postbaccalaureate endeavors,” said DeLaRosa. Writing to his former professor, Dr. Marie Mullaney, he said, “I feel that I frequently rely on the critical thinking skills from your classes and particularly those from the outcomes assessment process.”
Sarina Soriano ’16, senior producer for the San Francisco 49ers and 49ers Studios, has won two Emmys: “Best in Craft Achievement Photographer/Editor Spanish: Sarina Soriano” and “Best Sport’s Program Live or Post-Produced: 49 Hours.” The alumna holds bachelor’s degrees from Caldwell in communication and media studies, Spanish and sport management. A former member of the Caldwell women’s soccer team, she returned to her alma mater last February as a panelist for “A Review and Discussion on the Impact of Title IX and Women in Athletics” hosted by the Athletics Department. The first female and first Latina senior producer for the San Francisco 49ers at 49ers Studio, Soriano is proud to have helped build the 49ers Spanish broadcast team and to have worked with the team to create Spanish content. “Through my art, I strive to capture the beauty and resiliency of the human spirit,” said Soriano.
Paul Higgins, who holds a master’s in educational administration from Caldwell, is the advisor to the Hoboken High School debate program, which took 12 awards, the most of any institution, at the Harvard Model Congress Conference in Madrid, Spain, in March.
Tara Barrow and Jennifer Le Pelusa, graduates of Caldwell’s post-baccalaureate education program, received Caldwell’s 2022-23 Clinical Intern of the Year awards. Presenting the awards were New Jersey Commissioner of Education Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan and Dr. Amy Kline, president of the New Jersey Association for Colleges for Teacher Education.
Jennifer Donnelly was named 2023-24 Hudson County Teacher of the Year by the New Jersey Department of Education. A science teacher at Jose Marti STEM Academy in Union City, Donnelly holds certifications as a teacher of biological science and elementary school teacher K-6 from Caldwell. A graduate of Lacordaire Academy, Donnelly is proud of her Dominican education. “It is because of this foundation and the Sisters’ dedication to educational excellence that I am so successful in my career, not only in the delivery of the content but in the values that I strive for as an educator.” Donnelly said the Sisters taught her to work hard, to value education and to “be giving and loving to each and every individual that comes into your classroom.”
Shamshadeen Mayers ’22, who holds a master’s in educational administration from Caldwell, has been named 2023- 24 Essex County Teacher of the Year. He was recently appointed by the Bloomfield Board of Education as the principal of Watsessing School in Bloomfield. He replaced retiring principal Gina Rosamilia, also a graduate of Caldwell’s educational administration program. While at Caldwell, Mayers was the recipient of the Sister Mary John Kearney Award for Best Thesis in Educational Administration for 2022 for his research on “Exploring the Benefits of Advanced Placement Programs.” “The educational leadership at Caldwell University prepared me with the tools necessary to make a real impact in my community,” said Mayers. 🟥
WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU MATTERS TO US.
Let your fellow Cougars know what is happening in your life! Submit a class note. It will be considered for publication in Caldwell University’s next magazine.
www.caldwell.edu/alumni/submit-class-notes/
