Watershed Alumni Volunteer Profiles
Our Volunteers
Major: Theater
Current job: President of H. Bruce Funk CPA PC
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards, nominating students, off-campus meet and greets, on-campus events, and college fairs
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: If volunteering means that students are making an informed decision about going to Washington College, I would say that my decision was a valuable one, even if I did not graduate. Spending my first two college years at WC gave me a basis for future college. As a private school graduate, a private liberal arts college was the perfect fit for me. I learned a little accounting for my future career and got to sing in both groups and got to appear in four theatrical productions, and got to play for the legendary Ed Athey on the soccer team. I, of course, did not know of his legendary status when I was 18 and 19. Basically, WC was a great ride for a new college student.
Major: American Studies
Current Job: Retired newspaperman
Watershed Involvement: College Fairs, off-campus events, nominating students, on-campus events.
Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?: Nestled in the heart of The Land of Pleasant Living, Washington College provides the tools to be nurtured throughout life of competitiveness tempered with compassion, responsibility combined with respect, and critical judgment balanced with open mindedness. The Watershed Alumni Volunteer program, by reaching out to prospective students, offers an opportunity to be a part of the stewardship of those values that have been promulgated by WC's faculty and administration, and date back to its namesake benefactor.
Contact Info: jw213@yahoo.com
Major: History
Current Job: Semi-retired from 22 years as Corporate Library Services Director at Freddie Mac.
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards and college fairs.
Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?: I want to help prospective students understand the flexibility that a liberal arts degree from Washington College can offer. My experiences of campus life are different from today’s student but I can speak to the legacy of the years in Chestertown. As a hiring manager for much of my career, I can say the best candidates are those with a broader perspective, a curious streak and the willingness to try just about anything, traits that Washington College fosters.
Major: Political Science (with an International Studies minor)
Current Job: Principal of JD Walker Communications, LLC
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards, nominating students
"Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?": "The connections and relationships that you make at Washington College provide a terrific mentoring and support network throughout your life. As a Trustee, I want to share my experiences with others so that they may benefit from the same excellent opportunities that I had at Washington College."
Contact Info: jdwalkercomm@gmail.com
Major: Political Science
Current job: Supervisory Records Management Policy Analyst for National Archives and Records Administration
Watershed Involvement: High school visits, on-campus events
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: Volunteering for the Watershed program is important to me because Washington College has made a profound difference in my life and I am always hoping to share that experience with others, especially those students who are first generation college students like myself.
Major: Biology
Current Job: Physician Assistant
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards, on-campus events, and off-campus meet and greets.
Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?: The Admissions Alumni Watershed program is important to me because I love Washington College. My interaction with Admissions started as a perspective, with an incredible Admissions counselor that made me feel welcome from day 1. I've had the opportunities to serve the Admissions department as tour guide, host to perspective students, College Fairs representative, and now with the Watershed program. I enjoy this service because I hope that my love and excitement for Washington College is contagious to other perspectives. Washington College has so much to offer, I want as many young adults to have the great opportunities too.
Contact Info: suzpac7@hotmail.com
Major: Political Science
Current job: Senior Research Program Coordinator at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards and nominating students
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: Washington College was very good to me during my four years, and it still continues to give. Volunteering to help the next generation of WC students is my way of saying thank you to Washington College.
Contact Info: shuettn1@jhmi.edu
Major: Political Science
Current job: Director of Communications and Compliance for Players Philanthropy Fund
Watershed Involvement: High school visits, writing notecards and nominating students
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: I want to share WC with more people so that the opportunities that I had while a student can be available to others.
Contact Info: esmagee34@icloud.com
Major: International Studies and Economics (with a German Minor)
Current job: Chief of Staff for International and Interagency Relations at NASA Headquarters
Watershed Involvement: Off-campus meet and greets, on-campus events
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: Washington College provided me with such an amazing foundation for both my academic future and life in general that I am always excited about promoting the school and encouraging others to have the same great exposure. At a larger school, I believe I could easily have been lost in the masses, but the small size of Washington College allowed me to take advantage of many unique opportunities to learn, lead, and experience. And the added bonus of the personal interactions with faculty and staff, including being treated as an adult, helped better prepare me for the working world. By volunteering in the Watershed program, it is my wish to help future Washington College students and their parents understand these possibilities and the positive future the college can provide.
Contact Info: tawney77@hotmail.com
Major: Chemistry
Current job: Senior Science Officer at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Laboratories and Scientific Services
Watershed Involvement: Nominating students, on-campus events, and off-campus meet and greets
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: I didn’t know it at the time, and there’s really no way *to* know at the time, but Washington College set me up with an indispensable lifelong skillset along with a treasured and irreplaceable group of colleagues, friends, and mentors. This all together has not only benefited my life, but allowed me to be a better member of this great human society in, hopefully, giving back more than I took in. I realize that where I am now and what I have been able to do all comes back to what I learned, who I met, and what I became at my alma mater. It is important to me to contribute back in, maybe and hopefully, being able to show others just one good option to find their own lifepath here at this college on the Chester that will absolutely give their curiosity everything it needs to prosper. If my volunteering for Watershed helps just one other person find Washington College to be the setting and foundation that it was for me, then it will be an absolute success.
Contact Info: chris.mocella@gmail.com
Major: History
Current Job: Executive Director, Compliance Conduct Risk Analysis & Reporting at JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards, nominating students, on-campus events, off-campus meet and greets, and college fairs
Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?: Without the current and future generations of Washington College students, there is no College, and there is no legacy. As alumni, we depend on those future generations to continue our traditions while making them their own; and represent our proud heritage through athletics or drama or other interest groups, civic engagement in the community all while raising the bar in the classroom making them successful and productive members of society upon graduation. Being involved in the admissions process and the Watershed program specifically, allows me to meet with prospective students and their families as they are making an important life-changing decision, and it is an important way to give back to the College ensuring that legacy continues.
Contact Info: rcpage424@gmail.com
Major: Business Management and Economics
Current Job: Volunteer with multiple organizations
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards, nominating students, and college fairs
"Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?": Volunteering for the Watershed program is important to me because choosing to attend Washington College was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I want to do my part to help potential students understand the opportunities Washington College has to offer, realize how truly unique the college is, and make the best choice for them.
Contact Info: kcarlsward@gmail.com
Major: Pre-Vet/Psychology
Current job: Health Assistant/Insurance Advocate at Accolade
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards, nominating students, and off-campus meet and greets
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: I am looking forward to introducing Washington College to new students, prospective students and their families! I am originally from Maryland and now living in the Philadelphia area I am extremely excited to introduce Maryland, The Eastern Shore and Washington College to this area! I wanted to join the program to also give back to a school that shaped me for who I am today both Professional and Personally!
Major: International Studies
Current job: Publishing Technology Analyst at Federal Reserve Board
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards, nominating students, on-campus events, and college fairs
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: From the outside, it might not be obvious what a little college on the Eastern Shore of Maryland has to offer, but those of us who know Washington College understand what a special place it is. Going to school there changed my life, and I’m proud to be part of a community that offers students wonderful opportunities and the support they need to succeed. As an alumni volunteer, I’m excited about the opportunity to help introduce a place that is so special to me to prospective students and to see the college continue to thrive.
Major: History
Current job: Adjunct Professor of Human Studies at UAB and a Public Health Consultant
Watershed Involvement: Off-campus meet and greets, on-campus events
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: Washington College gave me a second home and the experiences (including Kappa Sigma and Studying Abroad) and tools needed to be successful once I graduated. These experiences and knowledge helped me earn a master's degree in General Psychology (concentrations in Clinical and Addiction Psychology), later working in Manhattan and then Northern New Jersey in the fiends of Substance Abuse education and treatment, and finally while earning my doctorate in Health Education/Health Promotion (concentration in Health Behavior). To this day, I use the experiences, knowledge and skills I developed and gained while at Washington College and they continue to serve me now as an adjunct professor of public health and as a public health consultant.
Contact Info: aigh1121@gmail.com
Major: Human Development
Current job: Curriculum Developer for Exploration School
Watershed Involvement: Nominating students, writing notecards and college fairs
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: Being able to connect with future Washington College students is an exciting opportunity for me to reflect on the years in Chestertown that meant so much to me and prepared me for a successful professional career. I take pleasure in volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program because it reminds me of how supportive the Washington College community is and connectedness we all have as members of this truly special institution.
Contact Info: meghanoleary90gmail.com
Major: Business Management and Hispanic Studies Double Major
Current job: Senior Channel Marketing Manager at Stanley Black & Decker
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards, nominating students, off-campus meet and greets, high school visits, college fairs, on-campus events.
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: I absolutely loved my four years at Washington College and want to connect future students with the outstanding campus community that helped me develop and grow.
Contact Info: bankertr@gmail.com
Major: International Studies & French, minored in Economics
Current Job: Analyst at the Defense Department
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards and nominating students
Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?: Volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program provides me the best way to help potential students uncover the strength and power of a Washington College experience—not just the education, but the connections made through your time at Washington College and beyond.
Contact Info: elibanghart@gmail.com
Major: Business Management
Current job: Community Revitalization Project Manager at Eastern Shore Land Conservancy
Watershed Involvement: writing notecards, nominating students, and on-campus events
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: Volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program is important because I realize the value of engaging students at every chapter of their college life as an alumni. As an alum, I want to champion Washington College’s value to prospective students and anyone else who is interested in joining the family.
Major: Environmental Studies (with minors in Anthropology and Earth & Planetary Science, and a concentration in Chesapeake Regional Studies)
Current job: Senior Geospatial Analyst, Project Coordinator at Chesapeake Conservancy
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards, on-campus events, off-campus meet and greets
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: I am volunteering for the Alumni Watersheds Program because I want to help guide folks towards finding the next step in their path... choosing to have my collegiate experience at Washington College was one of the most influential decisions of my life and I want to be a resource for others in making that decision for themselves. I also want to be a resource for current students who are looking for ways to take the most advantage of the opportunities provided by Washington College, by sharing my own experiences and what they led me to after WC.
Contact Info: kscarlettwalker@gmail.com
Major: International Studies
Current job: Litigation Paralegal at Woodley & McGillivary
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards and nominating students
“Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?”: Washington College is an amazing school that has provided so many fantastic opportunities for me. I want to help potential students learn about these opportunities and how Washington College is a great place to earn their bachelor’s degree.
Major: English and Philosophy
Current Job: Student Success Associate at Springboard
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards, on-campus events
"Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?": I loved my time at Washington College, it was pivotal in my growth and development in who I am today. I want to give back to the WC community in any way I can, and I know I can help students find their way to WC just like I did.
Contact Info: jackdespeaux@gmail.com
Major: Political Science and Economics double major (with a Peace and Conflict Studies Minor)
Current Job: Legislative Director at Maryland House for Delegates
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards, on-campus events, and college fairs
"Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?": Throughout my college career, I benefited greatly from expanding my experience to beyond the classroom. While I’ve learned so much from the classes that I took at Washington College, I’ve gained valuable skills and knowledge from being active in the various aspects of the Washington College community. This well-rounded experience has fully prepared me to succeed in the real world and in my current job. I was fortunate enough to work in the Writing Center and the Office of Advancement, to be part of the Student Government Association and honor societies, and to intern at the Maryland General Assembly. Therefore, volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed Program is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to pay forward the experience that I had at Washington College. Lastly, as an international student, Washington College and Chestertown, welcomed me back in 2015 and became my second home and I am very glad I can help make it a second home for prospective students through the Watershed Program.
Contact Info: tarawnehmarah2@gmail.com
Major: Mathematics and Computer Science (with a German Minor and a Dance Minor)
Current Job: Software Engineer and Dance Instructor
Watershed Involvement: Writing notecards, on-campus events
"Why is volunteering for the Admissions Alumni Watershed program important to you?": As an alumni, I recognize how every experience I had as a student at WC shaped who I am today. Being able to explore all of my passions, stretching between STEM and the arts, with so much support behind me and guiding me has afforded me opportunities I never expected outside of school. I want to help prospective students find out how they can explore ALL of their passions at WC and get the same unparalleled support and experience as I did so that they are prepared to excel in anything they want to.
Contact Info: ccox2@washcoll.edu