RIVIER UNIVERSITY - Key Persons
Barry Pietrantonio's long road to sobriety inspired a career change. In 2017, he earned a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling at Rivier and now co-owns a counseling and recovery center.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Academic Affairs
Unforeseen circumstances during her sophomore year led Caitlin Boucher to put her psychology degree on hold. Today, the mom of two toddlers is finishing her degree thanks to the flexibility of the University's online programs.
Caitlin Boucher started at Rivier University right after high school in 2008. Unforeseen circumstances during her sophomore year led her to put her psychology degree on hold.
Life progressed. She started a family and began working for the police department, first answering 9-1-1 calls, then working with records. Now in the IT department, Caitlin says she loves her job and serving her community, but realized if she were to be considered for a supervisory role, she'd need a bachelor's degree.
She knew, without question, she'd return to Rivier.
"I grew up in the area and have always wanted to go to Rivier, and I had such a positive experience the first time," she says. "I felt comfortable there."
But how to fit college into her busy life? Caitlin works, her husband's work hours are unpredictable, and they're parents to two toddlers.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee Officers Team
- Treasurer
Job Titles:
- Director of Dining Services
Job Titles:
- Physician and Director, MIT Medical
Driven to improve the lives of others, Dr. Joan Breault, Class of 14G, works tirelessly to make a difference.
A Dean and her Teens
She opens the building at 6:30 a.m. and works quietly in her office, waiting to hear the whoosh of the door signaling her first student's arrival. On cue, Joan calls out "hello," puts on a mask, and makes her way to the school's entrance. As they cross the threshold of Bellamy Academy, a public high school in Dover, New Hampshire, Joan welcomes a unique group of bright, active students and begins to assess their needs for that day.
"Students at Bellamy Academy are all identified as having special needs and require an individualized education program," says Joan. "They all have a primary identification of emotional disturbance, speech and language disability, specific learning disability, or other health impairment, such as ADHD." Also, Bellamy students often have a history of trauma, and all of them contend with the stresses of common teenage problems-peer pressure, low self-esteem, negative self-image, conflicting expectations, and more.
Responsibility for the success of these students is a considerable undertaking, but as Dean of Students, Joan embraces the challenge. "I was destined for this career," she says. "It's a calling."
Dr. Lisa Dias has devoted her career to education, and, along the way, she continued her own academic journey.
Job Titles:
- Physician, Gatehouse Treatment Center
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor of Business
Through close mentoring, multiple internships, and project-based courses, Rivier business majors uncover their passion and purpose.
Job Titles:
- Physician, Immediate Care of Southern New Hampshire
Job Titles:
- Faculty Member, University of New Hampshire, College of Liberal Arts
Job Titles:
- Professor of Computer Science
Job Titles:
- Advancement Communications Coordinator
Sworn into the Peace Corps after graduation, Hayley Parenti, Class of 2018, works to improve regional health, safety, and welfare through community outreach and education.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
Chief Information Officer, Heidi Crowell oversees all information technology systems, cybersecurity, and projects for the University. As a member of the University's senior leadership team, Heidi works with the administration, faculty, and staff to develop innovative information technology strategies to guide the University forward. She held leadership positions in information technology at Daniel Webster College and Charleston Southern University. She received a B.S. in Business Administration/Management Information Systems from the University of Vermont and holds a Masters in Computer Information Resource Management from Webster University.
Job Titles:
- Class of 1991 / 1999G
- Parkland 's Chief Leader
Jeff Scionti, Class of 1991/1999G, has served Parkland Medical Center in Derry, New Hampshire for 33 years, starting his career in the lab as a medical technician and rising to the position of Chief Executive Officer.
Driven to improve the lives of others, his focus is trained on investments in the Medical Center's services and quality of care, workforce development, and public health awareness. The stakes are high for Parkland, given the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system and competitive marketplace for services and talent. Yet Jeff maintains a relaxed posture and an easy smile-the marks of a man who loves his job and does it well.
Jeff is a two-time alumnus, having earned both his undergraduate and MBA degrees at Rivier. He shares the strong impact his education had on his personal and professional growth. "Rivier has absolutely played a role in my life and career as it laid a solid foundation of who I am. The people that I have met and the educators in the programs were so supportive in and out of the classroom."
Having served in the military before pursuing his bachelor's degree, Jeff was a few years older than his classmates. "It was very interesting being a non-traditional student attending courses with a majority of traditional students," he says. "I was able to use my life lessons and emerging leadership to support some of my fellow undergraduate students. That was probably the first time I really began to identify my own leadership skills."
As Parkland's chief leader, Jeff values individuals, which he recognizes are an organization's greatest assets. He reflects on his own background and realizes that the combination of his clinical background, business degrees, and recognition early on of his leadership potential within the organization fostered his career advancement. "Great employees and leaders don't just happen, but evolve and emerge through a system of support and opportunities," says Jeff. "I am the product of a system that promotes success from within, and I make sure to pay that forward."
Job Titles:
- Director of Advancement Services
Job Titles:
- Vice President for University Advancement
Job Titles:
- Director of Financial Aid
Early childhood education major and student-athlete Kendall Liggett isn't waiting until she gets to the front of a classroom to teach, lead, and help others.
Job Titles:
- Emergency Management Specialist
Community, connections, and compassion motivate Kevin Conley, Class of 2013, to a life of service, working both behind the scenes and on the front lines to make a difference.
Emergency management specialist Kevin Conley '13 shares his insights on service and career.
Q. Your profession and volunteerism make clear your heart for service. When did you realize your passion for helping others?
Kevin: My parents were very involved when we were growing up; getting our family involved in sports and other activities continued to introduce us to different communities. Connections we made through these different community groups opened opportunities for us to get more involved. My Catholic education also influenced my desire to serve others. I am grateful to all the coaches, teachers, family friends, and to my parents who instilled a strong set of values and demonstrated the positive impacts I could strive to have on others.
Kevin Gill earned a bachelor's degree while working as a software engineer and developer for Fidelity Investments. After graduation, he wanted to break into more advanced software development roles, so he began researching graduate computer science programs that fit his needs.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Student Affairs
Job Titles:
- Nurse
- Chief Nurse in the NH Air National Guard at Pease Air Force Base
A gifted nurse leader, Major Lindsey Whelan '09 serves her community and her country. Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in all we do, the U.S. Air Force's core values, guide her in meeting life's challenges.
Inspired by her Rivier experience, Lindsey Whelan shares the path to her life of service.
Lindsey Whelan '09 is a Chief Nurse in the NH Air National Guard at Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth and a Trauma Program Manager with Elliot Health System in Manchester, New Hampshire. She is a board-certified Critical Care Nurse and Critical Care Air Transport Nurse.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
From the athletic courts to the classroom, Matt Blair, '09/'11G, gives back to education and his community.
When you find something that brings meaning to your life, it can feel like a fresh battery has been put into place. It energizes you and brings you strength. For Matt Blair, it's his profession that keeps him going. His AA battery: Academics and Athletics. Matt is the Assistant Athletic Director at Malden Catholic High School in Malden, Massachusetts. He graduated from Rivier with a B.S. in Human Development and M.A. in School Counseling. "Seeing students achieve their individual goals both in and out of the classroom is what drives me in my career," shares Matt.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee Officers Team
- Secretary
Job Titles:
- Chairman Principal, BRK Ventures, LLC
Job Titles:
- Chief Security Officer, Retired, Fidelity Investments
Job Titles:
- Business Development Officer, Roedel Companies
Mr. David Roedel | Business Development Officer, Roedel Companies
Job Titles:
- Trustee, the Barker Foundation, Inc
Mr. Douglas Barker | Trustee, The Barker Foundation, Inc.
Job Titles:
- III '00G, Treasurer Senior Vice President and CFO, Catholic Medical Center
Job Titles:
- President, Bellavance Beverage Co
Mr. Joseph Bellavance IV | President, Bellavance Beverage Co.
Job Titles:
- Principal, Granite Group Benefits
Job Titles:
- Principal, Weisman, Tessier, Lambert and Halloran
Mr. Kevin Halloran | Principal, Weisman, Tessier, Lambert and Halloran
Job Titles:
- President and CEO, Systems Engineering
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Service & Operations, UniFirst Corporation
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President Corporate Reputation Management, Bank of America
Job Titles:
- President, Liakos Companies
Job Titles:
- Executive Committee Freelance Writer
Job Titles:
- President, People 's United Bank New Hampshire
Job Titles:
- Chief Governing Officer and Founder Cirtronics Inc
Job Titles:
- Executive Committee President, Conway Management Inc
Job Titles:
- Independent Branch Leader, Charles Schwab
Job Titles:
- Federal Project Officer, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Job Titles:
- Attorney, Clancy & O'Neill
Ms. Martha O'Neill, Esq. | Attorney, Clancy & O'Neill
Ms. Talesha Saint-Marc, Esq., Vice Chair | Attorney, Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson, PA
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee Officers Team
- President
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Enrollment Management
When Rebeca Cruz and her family first visited Rivier University, they felt right at home. When she found out about Project Achieve, Rebeca realized her dream of becoming a pediatric nurse was within reach.
Job Titles:
- International Enrollment Counselor
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Business
- Director of Security Programs, Says Things Looked Different 20 Years ago When It Came to Tech and Security
Companies of all kinds and cities of sizes must protect their people, their systems, and their data. Rivier is preparing students to tackle cyber threats as they join one of the nation's fastest-growing fields.
"We had computer science and computer networking, high-level cryptographic mathematics, and those kinds of things," he explains, adding that it's been in the past 10 years that the "cyber-physical domain" has had potential to cause widespread harm in the real world.
Russell Norris, Assistant Professor and Director of Security Programs, says things looked different 20 years ago when it came to tech and security.
Sister Helene Cote, pm '73, Chair | Provincial Superior, Sisters of the Presentation of Mary
Sister Lorraine Trottier, pm '65/'70G | Provincial Counselor, Sisters of the Presentation of Mary
Job Titles:
- Pm '87 Principal, Presentation of Mary Academy
Job Titles:
- Provincial Counselor, Sisters of the Presentation of Mary
A member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Immaculata, PA, Sister Paula brings to Rivier more than twenty-five years of experience in higher education administration. Formerly Executive Vice President of Administration at Seton Hall University, she has served in senior roles at Anna Maria College, Mount St. Mary University, and Immaculata University. She holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.A.L.S. in Catholic Studies from Georgetown University, and an M.B.A. from Villanova University.
Sister Paula's professional service has included extensive experience in the development and implementation of comprehensive master plans and programs which support teaching and learning excellence. As an educator and leader, she has a deep appreciation of the history, vision, and mission of Rivier University to transform hearts and minds to serve the world. This mission resonates deeply with the mission of Catholic higher education, the value of the liberal arts, and the community of service engendered by programs of professional study. Sister Paula's research interests include issues of organizational governance and leadership in higher education.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Finance and Administration
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee Officers Team
- Vice President
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions
Meticulous and highly motivated, Yvonne Sun spends her days pouring over paperwork. Not sales reports or stock projections, but test reports and compliance materials that will bring new technologies, treatments, and hope to cancer patients.