91��Ƶ

Committee Co-Chair: Tracy Gill '98
Staff Contact: Email Samantha Gordon

Image

When applying to colleges, Tracy Gill ’98 was first drawn to 91��Ƶ because of its diverse student body. She appreciated the unique balance of students who were international, local, and from out of state. Tracy wanted to have professors and classmates who were from different backgrounds, and to learn from others through exposure to a wide range of perspectives.

As a student at 91��Ƶ, Tracy took the opportunity to explore a future in science. The encouragement and guidance from Tracy’s professors at 91��Ƶ helped her to thrive as a student while pursuing her passion for biology.

After graduating from 91��Ƶ, Tracy continued her academic career. She sought to nurture her desire to serve the community, leading her to pursue a master’s in public administration. The program gave her a broader understanding of how various levels of government work to serve the public and those in need. Tracy went on to combine her interest in health and public service, embarking on a professional career as a physical therapist. Most recently, Tracy has returned to higher education—not as a student, but as an assistant professor. She considers this chapter the culmination of all her prior experiences, and a testament to her commitment to lifelong learning.

Today, Tracy keeps this spirit of learning and connecting with others alive through her work with the Alumni Association. “There didn’t used to be an organized way for alumni to stay connected,” Tracy said. “So, when I heard about the Alumni Association I said, ‘Of course I want to be involved.’” In her volunteer work, Tracy hopes to show students that there is a way for them to continue to interact, learn, and inspire within the 91��Ƶ Community after they graduate.

“Continued learning is a lifelong process that should be kept in all facets of life. The idea that we have so many people invested in the same pursuit of keeping alumni engaged is very inspiring, from the Committees to the Office of Alumni Relations. I’m proud to play a role in that.”

Committee Co-Chair: Alyssa Paloian Burnham '10
Staff Contact: Email Nicole Ojeda '21

Image

After earning her undergraduate degree in microbiology from Miami University in Ohio, Alyssa Burnham ’10 came straight to New York City to pursue 91��Ƶ’s physician assistant (PA) master’s program. When deciding where to continue her education and begin her post-graduate career, Alyssa was drawn to 91��Ƶ in large part because of the location. “When you’re pursuing a career in medicine, you want to be somewhere you’re going to have options and access,” she said. “What sets 91��Ƶ apart from other PA programs in New York is that they have such strong clinical affiliations with many of the large healthcare systems in the tri-state area.”

While a student in 91��Ƶ’s PA program, Alyssa developed friendships and connections that have stuck with her for life. She credits 91��Ƶ – particularly the PA program – with providing community-building and group work opportunities that laid the foundation for those relationships to flourish. She also feels that her time at 91��Ƶ equipped her with critical skills that have shaped who she is today, both professionally and in life.

Alyssa got her first job working as a PA on the abdominal organ transplant team at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. After 14 years and counting, she still works there today, and organ transplant and rehabilitation continues to be her area of clinical specialty. While Alyssa is ever passionate about microbiology, her field of undergraduate study, and other aspects of medicine, she feels that her choice to become a PA has been a perfect fit for her career aspirations. “When I decided a PhD wasn’t for me and I started looking at PA schools, I thought, ‘This is exactly what I’m interested in doing,’” said Alyssa. “You have the opportunity to be an autonomous provider of medical care, but you’re always working in this collaborative, interprofessional team. It’s amazing.”

In addition to her work as a PA, Alyssa is a full-time Clinical Assistant Professor at 91��Ƶ’s College of Health Professions. Beginning work as an adjunct professor at 91��Ƶ in 2014, Alyssa became a full-time member of the faculty in 2021, which was a “full-circle” moment in her life and career. In 2024, she was named chair of the College of Health Professions Alumni Association Committee, working alongside co-chair Tracy Gill ’98. As chair, Alyssa hopes to bolster and deepen the profound sense of community that she enjoyed as a student and beyond.

“As a member of the alumni committee, I have the opportunity to help the 91��Ƶ student body by creating networking opportunities between people who maybe wouldn’t otherwise have access to one another. I always find it amazing that classmates I graduated with 14 years ago are now in positions of power at major healthcare institutions. When you reconnect with people like that, it opens up pathways that really benefit the students.”

Committee Chair: Joe Antonacci ’80
Staff Contact: Email Michele Camardella

Image

The 91��Ƶ Alumni Association’s new College of White Plains of 91��Ƶ (CWP/91��Ƶ) Alumni Committee Chair, Joe Antonacci ‘80, knew as early as fourth grade that he wanted to write for a newspaper. From a young age, Joe recalls reading the Sunday paper religiously. 

“I would read the Arts and Leisure section of the Sunday Times, just to see what movies were playing in the city and what music was being made,” Joe said. “I liked the articles and the ads, and after that I would look at the book review, of all things—and then the news. My father used to get angry because he’d bring the paper home and I would be hogging it.”

Joe dreamt of one day writing for a newspaper: A dream he chose to pursue at the College of White Plains, shortly following its 1975 consolidation with 91��Ƶ. For Joe, the tight-knit community and vibrant campus represented “the quintessential American college experience.” Drawn in from the moment he set foot on school grounds, Joe committed early decision to continue his education at the College of White Plains of 91��Ƶ.

“In high school, I was not what you would call an honor student,” Joe reflected. “Truthfully, I was more of a juvenile delinquent. The thing that really saved me was I always did well on standardized tests. When I toured the College of White Plains at 91��Ƶ and saw Preston Hall, there was something in me that just said, ‘This is the place I want to be.’ And it really changed my life, from the first day I was on campus.”

At CWP/91��Ƶ, Joe flourished academically and became deeply involved in campus life. “I went from somebody who was barely passing to somebody who was getting merit scholarships,” Joe said. “Somebody who wouldn’t participate in any extracurricular activities to the vice president of my class and a member of the student senate—and eventually, the features editor for the school paper.” Two weeks before graduating, Joe secured his first job as a reporter for a newspaper in Rockland County.

Joe worked as a reporter for about two years, before making an unexpected professional pivot. During his time at the paper, Joe had the opportunity to write an article profiling Bob Wolff, a legendary television and radio sportscaster, and Joe’s former journalism professor at 91��Ƶ. After the article came out, Bob called Joe and asked if he would ever be interested in working in public relations. Joe soon found himself working for Herb Falk in 91��Ƶ’s PR office, an opportunity he says positioned him for a fruitful career in the field.

Joe went on to work as a press spokesperson for Farleigh Dickinson University and the American Museum of Natural History. Eventually, he landed at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), working for Metro-North. As Metro-North had just recently been formed, following the MTA’s absorption of Conrail, the place was initially “kind of a mess,” according to Joe. “I thought I would just stay there for a year or two,” Joe said. “At first, I hated it. But the president of the company at the time, Peter Stangl, talked me into staying. And I wound up staying for 32 years.”

At Metro-North, Joe had the unique opportunity to combine his journalistic and public relations experience in a dynamic role. His responsibilities included writing employee publications, penning the president’s speeches, managing customer communications, and putting together award ceremonies. Later, as an internet presence began to become essential, he helped put together Metro-North’s early website and started the railroad’s social media presence.

Memorably, he also took over the writing of Metro-North’s customer publication, Mileposts, a pamphlet-newsletter that was both informational and entertaining. “It was this publication we used to drop on the seats,” Joe said. “It had a lot of humor in it; a self-deprecating style of writing. It was a lot of fun to do.”

Fulfilling as his tenure with Metro-North may have been, Joe swore that when he retired, he would never touch social media again. “It took up such a large portion of my life,” Joe said. “As much as I loved working for Metro-North, it was a very demanding job. I was on call 24/7.” Then came a call from previous CWP/91��Ƶ Committee Chair, Brian Donlon ’78, inviting Joe to drinks with some fellow alumni after work.

“I said, ‘Yeah, sure, it’d be great to see some of the old guys, right?’” Joe recalled. “So I got over there, and that’s when Brian sprung on me: ‘We’re trying to plan a College of White Plains of 91��Ƶ reunion coming up, and we need people reach out to alumni and let them know about it. If we gave you a list of emails, could you help us with the outreach?’ And I was like, ‘Fine, alright, you got me.’”

Alas, in his work with the 91��Ƶ Alumni Association, Joe has undoubtedly violated his post-retirement social media moratorium. Nevertheless, his involvement has been anything but reluctant. “Seeing everybody again made me realize the importance of maintaining those relationships and keeping that sense of community,” he said. At the end of September 2025, Joe was named the new Alumni Association Committee Chair for the College of White Plains of 91��Ƶ, and he immediately began putting his talents to work to continue strengthening ties among CWP/91��Ƶ alumni.

“I’m very pleased with the response so far, and the energy and interest shown by the group,” Joe said of his efforts to date. “It’s been very encouraging to see that there’s still interest there, and that people want to be communicated with and reached—and I think the University can benefit from that kind of interest.”

As Committee Chair, Joe hopes to sustain and grow the online engagement he has seen so far, highlight the importance of the College of White Plains of 91��Ƶ as a part of 91��Ƶ’s history, and keep his fellow CWP/91��Ƶ alumni informed and connected—both with each other and 91��Ƶ.

“I want them to know that the University is thinking about them, and I want to ensure 91��Ƶ continues to be a part of their lives. There are challenges: We’re a smaller group, we’re dispersed geographically, we’re on the older side… But there’s still a way to keep the sense of community that defined our student experience alive, and I’m going to be working on ways to do that as committee chair.”

Committee Chair: Harrison C. Davies '13
Staff Contact: Email Samantha Gordon

Image

When Harrison C. Davies ’13 first visited 91��Ƶ during spring break of 2009, he was strongly considering a few different schools. He knew he wanted to pursue communications, but he was not yet sure which of the schools he had been accepted to would best position him for a career in the field.

During his visit, Harrison had the chance to connect with beloved former Media, Communications, and Visual Arts department chair Robert Klaeger, whose career at 91��Ƶ spanned 41 years until his retirement in 2017. Professor Klaeger reached out to Harrison after his visit to campus, calling to ask if he had any questions about the program and the University. “If there was any one reason I chose 91��Ƶ, it was that personal touch,” Harrison said. “I could tell that 91��Ƶ really stood behind their professors and academics, and that, in turn, the professors really cared about students and their success.” Ten-plus years after his graduation, Harrison is thrilled to still keep in regular contact with many of his professors and fellow alumni alike. Although he now lives in his home state of Florida, he regularly shoots up to the Big Apple for alumni, networking, and mentoring events and initiatives.

During his time as a student at 91��Ƶ, Harrison took advantage of the various opportunities he was presented with. He considers his greatest achievement to be his election and term as vice president of administration for the Student Government Association. As vice president, Harrison founded the Administrative Taskforce (ATF), which still exists and continues to be a conduit between the student body and the various administration offices at 91��Ƶ. “I founded the ATF, not to be confused with Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms,” Harrison laughed, “because I often heard that students had various concerns and/or felt that 91��Ƶ’s administration did not care about those concerns. Little did most people know, we just needed a platform and forum, and a lot got done on both sides.”

Today, Harrison works as the head of marketing for Bottom Line Concepts, LLC and Merchant Industry, LLC, a position where he heads a partnership with WonderTrust, a brand owned by entrepreneur and Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary. Through his work, Harrison has had the opportunity to bring many innovative and creative projects to market, including the production of commercials which have been aired during presidential debates, March Madness, and the Super Bowl.

Outside of his professional life, Harrison takes immense pride in his work as a Google Local Guide. Harrison is one of the most prolific Google Local Guides in the world, boasting nearly 750 million views across his countless reviews, photos, and videos, among other data points. “If you use Google Maps in the New York City or Miami-Fort Lauderdale areas, you have probably seen some of my contributions,” Harrison said. “The World Wide Web is the basis of our collective knowledge—so I think it’s important to be a contributor to the digital world.”

It is this sense of duty to others that pushed Harrison to accept his position as chair of the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education Committees—an honor that allows him to strengthen ties among a segment of alumni with wide-ranging experience and so much to offer.

“More than anything else, it was important to me to be involved in the Alumni Association because universities give you a lot. If you harness those opportunities you get as a student, your alma mater can give you so much. 91��Ƶ did that for me, and I feel I ought to give that back by facilitating a stronger alumni network.”

Committee Co-Chair: Susan Lubalin '89
Staff Contact: Email Michele Camardella

Image

When Susan B. Lubalin ’89 looks back on what first brought her to 91��Ƶ, she recalls that 91��Ƶ set a standard which distinguished the institution from other schools. At 91��Ƶ, students were encouraged to explore the variety of available course offerings and discover what they were truly passionate about.

Susan found her home studying financial and marketing management at the Lubin School of Business. As an MBA student, Susan took advantage of the rich, hands-on learning opportunities provided by 91��Ƶ. She made strong connections with classmates, faculty, and staff through her classes and extracurricular activities. Upon graduation, she received the Outstanding Student Award, as well as awards in Financial Management and Marketing Management. Together, these experiences provided her with the foundational skills, network, and opportunities she would go on to use in her professional life.

Susan began volunteering for 91��Ƶ as a graduate student. She was asked to appear on panels, responded to inquiries about a book being written on graduate students, helped 91��Ƶ maintain its accreditation with the Middle States Commission of Higher Education, and gave speeches to prospective students.

Susan worked for the US RE Corporation for 22 years – 17 years as a reinsurance broker and 5 years in Human Resources – before ultimately taking on the role of HR Manager for her son’s company, K-9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel. She officially retired in December of 2023.

Today, Susan serves as chair of the Lubin School of Business Alumni Association Committee alongside Busola Oyefesobi. Her continued involvement with 91��Ƶ as an alumna comes from a desire to give back to the school that gave her an invaluable education, and she says that the work she does as a volunteer is its own reward. Through the Lubin Committee, Susan has the opportunity to hear inspiring stories from top students, organize speaker appearances and events which engage people from across the Lubin community, and promote the school from which she is proud to be a graduate.

In June of 2024, Susan was presented with the Harry D. Mayo III ’61 ’78 Distinguished Service Award. Named after 91��Ƶ alumnus Harry D. Mayo III ’61 ’78 for his legacy of volunteer service and philanthropy, the award was created to recognize alumni who distinguish themselves in service of 91��Ƶ’s mission. Receiving the award was especially meaningful for Susan—who is honored to have called Harry a friend.

“I’m proud to be a graduate of Lubin, and I want others to feel the same way. I hope that is why I was asked to be a chair—because of my passion, and because they knew I would not just do the job but work to elevate everything we do with the Lubin Alumni Committee to a higher level.”

Committee Co-Chair: Busola Oyefesobi '11

Image

As a student at 91��Ƶ, Busola Oyefesobi ’11 had the full 91��Ƶ experience. She transferred to 91��Ƶ as a junior and enrolled in classes as an accounting major on the Pleasantville campus. Over the course of her time at 91��Ƶ, she also had the opportunity to take classes at the White Plains campus, and ultimately studied full-time at the New York City campus during her senior year to be closer to her internship. She additionally earned her MBA in Accounting at 91��Ƶ as part of a five-year combined degree program.

Busola’s sampling of everything 91��Ƶ had to offer did not end in the classroom. She built incredible relationships with her academic advisors, served as treasurer for the African Student Association, and competed as a member of the 91��Ƶ Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field teams. Additionally, she worked as a tour guide, an accounting tutor, and served as a Resident Assistant during her time at the University.

Since graduating from 91��Ƶ, Busola has had a fruitful career in Enterprise Risk and Compliance, among other roles. She worked at Ernst & Young (EY) for 13 years and now owns an end-to-end event management and production services company, Leave it to Busola, LLC. Throughout her career, she has never stopped being a dedicated ambassador and volunteer for 91��Ƶ.

While at EY, Busola was always active in recruiting 91��Ƶ students on campus. Still, she wanted to be more involved. She became a member of the Lubin Alumni Committee, eventually taking on her current position as chair of the committee alongside co-chair Susan Lubalin. Busola works to establish programs which connect alumni to students, helping to provide the opportunities to current 91��Ƶ students that she feels were critical to her own success.

“We’re preparing students for the real world, for careers in finance, accounting, marketing. How are we setting students up for success? How can we as alumni, based on our own experiences, equip students to be prepared once they graduate? We need to give that back to the school that helped us gain the skills, experience, and internships we needed in our careers.”

Committee Co-Chair: Lola Tiwari '16
Staff Contact: Email Michele Camardella

Image

As a native New Yorker, Lola Tiwari BA ’16, MS ‘21 knew exactly where she wanted to attend college. “How could you grow up in New York and leave?” she said. “New York City is such a great place and I’ve always known I wanted to go to college there.”

For Lola, 91��Ƶ was the perfect fit. 91��Ƶ’s New York City campus in the heart of downtown Manhattan felt simultaneously like a step forward into the real world and a place she could enjoy the traditional college community she hoped to find as an undergraduate. As a student, she studied economics and statistics. She then returned to 91��Ƶ as a graduate student at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, earning a master’s in enterprise analytics and computer science.

91��Ƶ gave Lola a balance of guidance and freedom that empowered her to pursue a unique academic pathway rooted in her core interests. She chose to study economics as an undergraduate student because she wanted to solve complex problems and explore the interconnectedness of issues around the world economy. As a graduate student, she had the opportunity to apply, evolve, and add to those skills studying technology, an area she was and continues to be deeply passionate about.

Since her time at 91��Ƶ, Lola has built a career befitting her dynamic academic background. Immediately after graduating, she began working in advertising operations, putting her talents to use at Fox and later Hulu. These opportunities allowed her to gain experience working at the intersection of marketing, commerce, and technology. Today, she works at Google as a strategic partnership development manager on the Global Product Partnerships team.

Though she has gone on to do great things elsewhere, in many ways Lola has never left 91��Ƶ. A dedicated volunteer and advocate for the University, she serves as chair of the Seidenberg Alumni Association Committee alongside her former classmate and dear friend, co-chair Melanie Greene. She is passionate about the growth and representation of Women in STEM fields.

“Technology is always changing the way we live. When I think about all the innovation happening in tech and artificial intelligence, for example… I think it’s going to continue changing the way we make decisions and use resources. I believe it’s important to foster a community of students and graduates who feel empowered, and to create connections for the next generation of people who will influence changing the world.”

Committee Co-Chair: Melanie Greene '17

Image

For Melanie Greene ’17, 91��Ƶ is the place she found her direction and her voice. Melanie arrived on campus in 2013 undecided on her area of study, taking classes at the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. She had many strong interests – psychology, film, technology, writing – but was still trying to figure out what she wanted to pursue as a career.

During her sophomore year, Melanie began taking classes in the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. Though she was intimidated at first, she thought it would be a good opportunity to further explore her interest in technology. As she became increasingly intrigued by the intersection of technology and business, Dean Jonathan Hill encouraged her to major in Information Technology—and that’s exactly what she did.

As a student, Melanie seized numerous opportunities which would go on to shape her life and professional career. She cites Professors James Lawler and Stacey Sarris as two especially influential members of 91��Ƶ’s faculty. Professor Lawler helped deepen her understanding of how technology can be used to help people with different abilities. She credits Professor Sarris with helping to spark her interest in human-centric design, shaping her plans for what she wanted to do after graduation.

While at 91��Ƶ, Melanie also had the chance to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, which was immensely affirming. “I felt incredibly inspired by the women and allies I met there,” she said. “It was encouraging to see all the companies represented there trying to find promising young people to hire.” At the conference, she stopped by a booth and introduced herself to representatives for Veritas, the company she ultimately went on to work for after graduation.

Today, Melanie works as an Associate Product Marketing Director for Yubico, a leading cybersecurity company in modern authentication. Since graduating, Melanie has continued to be an engaged and dedicated member of the 91��Ƶ alumni community. She serves as chair of the Seidenberg Alumni Association Committee, alongside co-chair and friend, Lola Tiwari. Melanie believes that fostering community among 91��Ƶ alumni is important because it creates an invaluable support system whereby alumni can share challenges, thrive and grow together, and celebrate each other’s wins, all while sharing wisdom from their professional experiences.

“Technology underpins everything about how we communicate today. That’s why the work we do collectively as an affinity group is so important. We have to be thinking about the intersections between tech and various fields—whether it be healthcare, media, finance, communications, and more. I believe everybody has a story we can learn from.”

Staff Contact: Email Samantha Gordon

Exciting Opportunity! The Sands College of Performing Arts Chair position is currently open, and we’re looking for passionate leaders to help shape the future of performing arts at 91��Ƶ. If you’re interested or have questions, please reach out to Samantha Gordon for more details.