A vital alumni association is of critical importance to Arcadia’s ability to achieve its full potential. The purpose of the Arcadia University Alumni Association (“AUAA”) is to cultivate and promote alumni engagement through activities that:
- are valued by alumni
- build enduring and mutual relationships
- strengthen the University’s reputation
- involve alumni in meaningful activities to advance the University’s mission
- inspire loyalty and financial support
- create a bridge between students and alumni
The Advisory Council is the executive arm of the Alumni Association, serving as the guiding body of all volunteer engagement, designed to mutually benefit Arcadia students, alumni, and the University. The Council is led by the Advisory Council President, Vice President, Committee Chairs and Representatives-at-Large for a total of 15 officers. Together, they focus on governance and alumni engagement through the lens of the four pillars of recruitment, retention, placement, and philanthropy.
Volunteer on an Advisory Council Committee
The Alumni Association is seeking alumni to serve on the Advisory Council Committees. If you’ve been looking for a way to make a difference with your alma mater, this just might be the opportunity for you. Alumni are invited to complete the Advisory Council Committee Volunteer Interest Form to get started.
- Awards and Honors Committee helps to raise the visibility of alumni, identify and vet potential awardees and honorees, plan and execute an annual awards process, and seek involvement as future volunteers. These awards and honors should largely seek to honor alumni but may include students and others whose contributions meet the award criteria.
- Event Outreach Committee raises awareness and boosts attendance for key events, activating AUAA to become more actively engaged at signature events (Celebrate! The Joy of Giving, the University’s annual scholarship dinner, an annual Volunteer Awards event, a recognition vehicle to showcase and celebrate the important work of volunteers, and UKnightedTuesday, where global event hosts, ambassadors, matching gift or giving challenge recruiters, and fundraising captains play a strategic and important role in successful outcomes).
- Professional Development and Mentorship Committee creates student clusters for alumni-led mentoring and professional development sessions that culminate in resumé workshops, practice interviews, readiness coaching and job counsel. Through a robust network created with support from the Volunteer Talent Development Committee and the Arcadia Alumni Business Network as well as a partnership with the Office of Career Education, Arcadia alumni will seek to develop strong student ties to alumni networks before graduation and develop job readiness skills through internships.
- Recruitment and Retention Committee will work to support increasing the University’s yield through a series of hosted events, digital engagement, personal interviews, and other activities, designed to positively influence prospective student decision making. Guided by the goals set by the Office of Enrollment Management, successful outcomes will be reflected when Arcadia meets recruitment targets. This is a pillar focused committee.
- Volunteer Talent Development Committee will build our bench strength and work to create a robust pipeline of alumni to be engaged across many facets of AUAA, develop a structure for volunteer recognition and appreciation, support, and monitor onboarding and orientation, training, evaluation of service, dismissal, and off-boarding or end-of-service for volunteer leadership and supportive roles. This committee will help to determine likely synergies across committees.
- Philanthropy Committee will work in partnership with University Advancement to support the education of alumni populations on the compound power of giving. Leading by example, committee members will not only share their own motivation for giving but also work to inspire others to similar action with a focus on raising the alumni participation rate of giving. Committee members can work to encourage graduating seniors to work together to represent their class philanthropically, reinvigorate reunion focused support, acknowledge and celebrate gifts from alumni, focus attention on stewardship, encourage feelings of pride for donor support, and provide key leadership for UKnightedTuesday efforts.
Meet Your Advisory Council Leaders 2022-23
Maya Johnson ’97
President, Advisory Council for the Arcadia University Alumni Association
Maya also holds a Master of Business Administration in Information Systems from Temple University, a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Certification, and is an SHRM Senior Certified HR Professional. Since 2013, Maya has served as associate vice president of Human Resources at the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.
Maya has been a dedicated member of the Alumni Association since her graduation, generously providing both her time and philanthropic support to the needs of the University. Maya is the2020 Mary Louise Armstrong Wolf Award Recipient and is a member of the Jones Poundstone Society.
Stacey Downey ’88
Vice President, Advisory Council for Arcadia University Alumni Association
Stacey Downey, an adult educator, has worked in adult education for over twenty years in the U.S. and abroad with experience teaching adult learners and college students. Stacey is a Program Analyst with the DC Government, working at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education in Adult and Family Education. In this role, Stacey monitors education grants in Integrated Education & Training (IET) which are awarded to local education agencies and community-based organizations for the provision of adult literacy, numeracy, workforce preparation, and workforce training programs and services. She also supports the work of her unit’s special initiatives designed to enhance the IET services provided to District adults.
Stacey has an undergraduate degree in English from Arcadia University in Glenside, PA and a Master’s Degree from Emerson College in Boston, MA. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband Michael and two teenage daughters and enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, and all kinds of fiber arts.
Aliyah Abraham ’17
Representative at Large
Aliyah Abraham ’17 has contributed significantly to Arcadia University as a recent graduate, including the visioning and founding of the Black Alumni Association, bringing to life the Black Alumni Association’s Preview Travel Support Program which philanthropically supports Black student participation in attending one of Arcadia’s signature study away programs, and working to launch the University’s Knights for Nutrition food pantry.
Aliyah also serves on the Strategic Planning Committee of the Alumni Association Advisory Council and advocates for students and alumni alike with the University’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts. Aliyah is the 2021 recipient of the Black Alumni Association’s Sankofa Award and is an active philanthropist, mentor, and leader who tirelessly shares her time, vision, and talent with the Arcadia community.
Sara Borden ’04
Chair, Volunteer Talent Development Committee
Sara Borden is a Certified Archivist with a Master of Arts degree in history with a concentration in archives from Temple University’s Center for Public History in 2011. She received her undergraduate degree in history, with a minor in art history, from Arcadia University in 2004. Currently, Borden is the Head of Archival Collections and Services at Rowan University Archives and Special Collections (UASC), where she has held several positions since her hiring in 2016. Borden’s responsibilities include overseeing the daily functions of the UASC, processing collections, creating access points, writing and editing finding aids, making decisions regarding digitization, working with on- and off-campus stakeholders, fielding researcher inquiries, and instructing students.
Borden believes very strongly in the power and importance of networking, creating connections, and professional development associations. She is thrilled to become more active in Arcadia’s Alumni Association as the Chair of the Volunteer Talent Development Committee.
Dipesh Chauhan ’97
Co-chair, Recruitment and Retention Committee
Dipesh has an extensive background in the social services field, serving child welfare, juvenile justice, adult probation, and correction agencies for more than 25 years. He received his Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Arcadia University. His depth of experience includes clinician, mentor, manager, developer, trainer, and educator. He has worked in specialized services for adolescents and adults in criminal justice, drug & alcohol treatment, and mental health. His current passion is advocating best practice approaches in the social service field. As Director of Program Development for JusticeWorks YouthCare, he has developed a national perspective on practical approaches to managing youth in the community. Mr. Chauhan focuses on developing sustainable community-based services for juvenile justice and child welfare systems across the country, emphasizing measuring cost savings for local government and producing positive outcomes for families.
Mr. Chauhan currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for the National Partnership for Juvenile Services and the Chair of the Community-based Subcommittee. Mr. Chauhan has enjoyed being a long-time Alumni Mentor for Arcadia students. He is passionate about his work on the Alumni Council as the Co-chair of the recruitment and retention committee.
Katie Duncan ’07, ’11 MEd
Co-chair, Events Outreach Committee
Katie Duncan has been working as an English as a Second Language and Gifted Support teacher in the Pennsbury School District for 14 years. Katie received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Master of Arts in Literacy Studies: TESOL and Reading at Arcadia University. She has her STEM Educating Certification from Millersville University.
David Euwings ’06
Chair, Nominations Committee
A native of South Philadelphia, a graduate of Overbrook High School and Arcadia University, David has constantly strived for success in his career by using his life experiences as constant motivation. His ingrained mantra, which he instills in his mentees, is “Life is short, decisions are long;” everything you do creates a potential path in your life – the decisions you make matter not just today, but for your future. David is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., currently serving as the Delaware State Director, and he serves the Alumni Association of Arcadia University as a member of the Leadership Council and Chair of the Nominations Committee. David believes in the life principle, that you should “Enjoy life because life should be fun!” It is this, along with his mantra, that drives David to be the best version of himself every day and experience as much happiness in this world as possible.
David also serves as the co-president of the Black Alumni Association of Arcadia University.
Gaynelle Fleming ’96 M
Chair, Awards and Honors Committee
Gaynelle Fleming received a Master of Arts degree from Arcadia and has served as an alumni volunteer since 2013. Gaynelle is also an active volunteer for her undergraduate alma mater and her community. As a retired educator, she brings her strength in connecting with people along their educational and professional pursuits to her role as the Chair of the Awards and Honors Committee, which supports the Alumni Awards process and the Senior Golden Disc award for a graduating undergraduate student.
Christina Kahmar-McGinley ’10 M, CFRE
Chair, Strategic Planning Committee
Christina has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than eight years in the areas of higher education and historic programming. Most recently, Christina serves as Executive Director of the Bucks County Community College Foundation & Alumni Association. Active in the community, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Bucks County Opportunity Council, the Greater BucksMont Chamber of Commerce, and the Alumni Advisory Council of Arcadia University. She earned a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2019 and a Master of Arts from Arcadia University in 2010. Christina believes that education improves lives and is proud to support learners of all ages on their path to success. She is a proud mom to her daughter Keira, and enjoys swimming, running, and traveling.
Alishah Powell ’03
Co-Chair, Events Outreach Committee
Alishah Powell graduated from Arcadia University in 2003 with a Bachelor’s of Art in Communications. She later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences with a Master’s Degree in Organizational Dynamics. Alishah works at Penn Medicine in the Gastroenterology division as the Fellowship Programs Coordinator. Her husband, Brent is a Navy Chief, and she has 3 stepsons.
Alishah’s hobbies are reading, brunch with friends, and watching scary movies. Additionally, her most important role is helping her elderly parents. She likes to help people and was a former foster parent and an advocate for food insecurities and homeless youth in Philadelphia. As the Co-Chair of the Events Outreach Committee, her hope is that she can connect with alumni and foster positive relationships to support the students and University’s mission.
Corinne L. Quinn ’05
MPH Representative-at-Large
Corinne L. Quinn, MSPH, MCHES (Master of Science in Public Health, Master Certified Health Education Specialist) is currently a student at Life Chiropractic College West in Hayward, CA. Born and raised in Vallejo, CA, Corinne is a 1990 Buck Scholar. She attended Santa Catalina School for Girls, a private, Catholic boarding high school in Monterey, CA and received her Bachelor of Arts in Pan-African Studies/Pre Medical Studies from Barnard College in New York, NY in 1998. After completing two years of medical school at Drexel University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, Corinne enrolled in Arcadia University where she received her MS in Public Health in 2005.
Corinne has held a variety of paid positions in various community-based organizations, including The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano and Vallejo City Unified School District. She is an active volunteer within several community-based organizations including the Girl Scouts of Northern California and Vallejo’s First Presbyterian Church. Corinne enjoys working with children and their families, equipping them with knowledge, tools, and resources to live healthier, more productive lives.
Matthew Ross ’16
Co-Chair, Recruitment and Retention Committee
Matt graduated from Arcadia’s Global School of Business in 2016. He was also a member of the Men’s Soccer team all four of his undergraduate years. He’s now living in Chicago with his fiancé, Taylor, a fellow Arcadia graduate. As well as still playing soccer, Matt enjoys finding the best new restaurants, traveling, and volunteering with both Special Olympics and Chicago’s underprivileged youth.
Ken Samen ’92
Chair, Professional Development and Mentorship Committee
Since 2016, Ken has taken part in an Alumni Career Mentor Program at Arcadia University. He graduated in 1992, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Visual Communications. For the past 25 years, Ken has worked for Prudential Insurance Company of America. In his current role, he is a Compliance Manager within the Individual Annuities & Life – Individual Solutions Group. Since 2004, Ken has volunteered with the Warrington Historical Commission and the Warrington (Township) Historical Society. He was involved with creating the society’s bylaws; compiling and submitting paperwork to become registered as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization under 501(c)(03) of the Internal Revenue Code.
In 2009 and 2014, Ken, along with other members, researched, composed, and released two, 240-page histories which contain more than 200 photographs and captions that illustrate the Township’s long past. These books are part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series. In 2020, he created two booklets that provided a detailed history of two historic properties within the township. All profits from the sale of the books go to the Warrington Historical Society for the ongoing restoration project of a one room schoolhouse. In addition, he enjoys maintaining and driving a 1977 MG Midget. He’s married to Melissa (Martin) Samen ’93.
