Dirron Allen (’00) [email protected]Dirron Allen, graduated from JMU in 2000 with a sport management degree. He worked at UREC for 3 years. After JMU, Dirron completed his Master’s of Science in Higher Education from Mississippi State in 2003. He spent 2 years at his first job employed at Temple University in Philadelphia. Eventually he moved to Baltimore, MD where he spent 10 years at Towson University. Most recently he has returned to the Commonwealth as an Assistant Dean of Students at UVA. His interests include basketball, volleyball, leadership development, social justice issues, and a commitment to lifelong holistic wellness. His major priorities are to his spirituality, his wife Laura who graduated from JMU with a Master’s in 2008, and their 2 yr old son Braylon and newborn daughter Mayley Denedriane Dean (’92) [email protected]Denedriane Dean is an experienced lifestyle blogger of 6+ years and avid online influencer. She enjoys sharing product reviews, fitness revelations, her Disney travels, and solid words of encouragement with her readers. When she isn’t engaging folks online, you can most likely find her watching Marvel action movies with her husband Art of 23 years, and their 3 young adult kiddos. Or you may catch her reading a book about space and physics Kelly Gooch (’12; ‘14M) [email protected]Kelly Gooch works for the JMU College of Business as the Assistant Director of Experiential Learning. Previously she served as the Recruitment Coordinator for the Center for Career Planning at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. Kelly is a Double Duke, graduating with her BA in Communication Studies in 2012, and receiving her Master of Science in Education for Adult Education & Human Resource Development in 2014. As a graduate student, she worked for two years as a Graduate Assistant for the Employer Relations & Recruiting Services office in Career & Academic Planning. She has a passion for higher education, career development, human resources, and of course, JMU. Meredith Kozikowski (’13; ‘16M) [email protected]Meredith is a double duke ('13 and '16) with a bachelor's in Communication Studies and Graduate Degree in Human Resource Development and Adult Education. Meredith is a Human Capital Analyst with Deloitte Consulting LLP and supports the Federal Practice. Meredith focuses on Change Management, Workforce Impact, Strategic Communications, and Training Development for her clients with the goal improving processes within the ever changing federal workforce. Meredith believes that, like building a resume, cover letter or elevator pitch, a strong professional network is a key piece in landing targeted career opportunities. Kyle Laver (’01; ‘05M) [email protected]Kyle Laver has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a Masters in Counseling, and an Educational Specialist degree from James Madison University. She has over 12 years of experience as a counselor and career coach serving students as young as 12 and as old as 70. Helping others understand their personality and what will drive them to a successful career is what she is most passionate about. Kyle has presented and facilitated training for small business, large corporations, and National Career conferences establishing Harrisonburg Career Coaching and Career Purpose Living as the premier local resource for individuals and businesses looking to create systems and build healthier and more fulfilling careers. Amanda Leech (’09; ‘15M) [email protected]Amanda is a “double duke” from James Madison University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and a master’s in Adult Human Resource Development. She previously worked at JMU for over 4 years in the Alumni Relations office working with alumni chapters and career programming. She joined United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County in May of 2016 as the Director of Business Engagement, working with local businesses to meet the needs of the community and inspire philanthropy through the workplace. Alumni Biographies Thursday, February 9th | 6-8pm | Festival Ballroom
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Dirron Allen (’00) [email protected] Dirron Allen, graduated from JMU in 2000 with a sportmanagement degree. He worked at UREC for 3 years. After JMU, Dirron completed his Master’s ofScience in Higher Education from Mississippi State in 2003. He spent 2 years at his first job employedat Temple University in Philadelphia. Eventually he moved to Baltimore, MD where he spent 10 yearsat Towson University. Most recently he has returned to the Commonwealth as an Assistant Dean ofStudents at UVA. His interests include basketball, volleyball, leadership development, social justiceissues, and a commitment to lifelong holistic wellness. His major priorities are to his spirituality, hiswife Laura who graduated from JMU with a Master’s in 2008, and their 2 yr old son Braylon andnewborn daughter Mayley
Denedriane Dean (’92) [email protected] Denedriane Dean is an experienced lifestyleblogger of 6+ years and avid online influencer. She enjoys sharing product reviews, fitness revelations,her Disney travels, and solid words of encouragement with her readers. When she isn’t engaging folksonline, you can most likely find her watching Marvel action movies with her husband Art of 23 years,and their 3 young adult kiddos. Or you may catch her reading a book about space and physics
Kelly Gooch (’12; ‘14M) [email protected] Kelly Gooch works for the JMU College of Business asthe Assistant Director of Experiential Learning. Previously she served as the Recruitment Coordinatorfor the Center for Career Planning at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. Kelly is aDouble Duke, graduating with her BA in Communication Studies in 2012, and receiving her Master ofScience in Education for Adult Education & Human Resource Development in 2014. As a graduatestudent, she worked for two years as a Graduate Assistant for the Employer Relations & RecruitingServices office in Career & Academic Planning. She has a passion for higher education, careerdevelopment, human resources, and of course, JMU.
Meredith Kozikowski (’13; ‘16M) [email protected] Meredith is a double duke ('13 and '16) witha bachelor's in Communication Studies and Graduate Degree in Human Resource Development andAdult Education. Meredith is a Human Capital Analyst with Deloitte Consulting LLP and supports theFederal Practice. Meredith focuses on Change Management, Workforce Impact, StrategicCommunications, and Training Development for her clients with the goal improving processes within theever changing federal workforce. Meredith believes that, like building a resume, cover letter or elevatorpitch, a strong professional network is a key piece in landing targeted career opportunities.
Kyle Laver (’01; ‘05M) [email protected] Kyle Laver has a Bachelor’sDegree in Psychology, a Masters in Counseling, and an Educational Specialist degree from JamesMadison University. She has over 12 years of experience as a counselor and career coach servingstudents as young as 12 and as old as 70. Helping others understand their personality and what willdrive them to a successful career is what she is most passionate about. Kyle has presented andfacilitated training for small business, large corporations, and National Career conferencesestablishing Harrisonburg Career Coaching and Career Purpose Living as the premier local resourcefor individuals and businesses looking to create systems and build healthier and more fulfillingcareers.
Amanda Leech (’09; ‘15M) [email protected] Amanda is a “double duke” from James MadisonUniversity with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and a master’s in Adult HumanResource Development. She previously worked at JMU for over 4 years in the Alumni Relations officeworking with alumni chapters and career programming. She joined United Way of Harrisonburg andRockingham County in May of 2016 as the Director of Business Engagement, working with localbusinesses to meet the needs of the community and inspire philanthropy through the workplace.
Alumni BiographiesThursday, February 9th | 6-8pm | Festival Ballroom
Nicole Martorana (’07) [email protected] Graduating from JMU in 2007, Nicole majored inMedia Arts & Design, Producing & Directing for Digital Video, and minored in Writing & Rhetoric.She returned to school for a Master in Food Culture & Communications from the University ofGastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy and built on this experience with graduate internships atFood First/Institute for Food & Development Policy in Berkeley, California and the FoodConnections Festival in Bristol, England. She moved to Richmond, Virginia in 2015, where sheworks as the Business & Marketing Manager and a tour guide for Real Richmond Food Tours andas the Cider Storyteller and Wholesale Rep to Northern Virginia, Washington, DC and theShenandoah Valley for Blue Bee Cider.
Alan Maynard (’06; ‘09M) [email protected] Alan graduated from James MadisonUniversity in 2006 with a degree in Communication Studies. After a few years of "career exploration"he returned to JMU as an employee in the Office of Alumni Relations in 2009. During that time, heobtained his Master's Degree in College Student Personnel Administration in 2012. Alan held threedifferent positions in the Alumni Office before leaving in May of 2016 to go full time with hisentrepreneurial effort - VA Momentum, where he is currently employed.
Cameron Miller ('10) [email protected] By title, Cameron Miller is aLeadership Director with the Virginia Agency of Massmutual Financial Group. He has worked infinancial services for over 5 years. He graduated JMU in 2010 with a degree in Finance.Cameron was born, raised, and still lives in Virginia Beach. He have a twin sister, two brothers, abrother in-law, 2 sister in-laws, 3 nieces and 3 nephews. Together, they all live in Virginia Beach.
Will Murphy (’00) [email protected] Will Murphy ('00) is the Manager of Training andLearning for Yount, Hyde and Barbour, P.C. Primary skills include talent development, includingrecruiting initiatives, leadership development programs, performance management, andworking with subject-matter experts (SMEs) on instructional design and training delivery. He alsohas many years of experience consulting. Will's professional career in OrganizationalDevelopment has given him experience in many industries, including professional services,healthcare, not-for-profit organizations, manufacturing, and the federal government. Will holds aBachelor's Degree in Health Sciences from James Madison University and an MBA fromShenandoah University. He also holds three certificates: CPLP, SPHR, and SHRM-SCP. Will livesin Winchester, VA with his wife Sarah and three daughters- Madison, Allie, and Emma.
Dave Urso (’03; ‘05M) [email protected] Dave Urso was born and raised near Philadelphia,Pennsylvania. He lived in Philadelphia until leaving to attend college at James Madison Universityin Harrisonburg, Virginia. Dave received a Bachelor’s in Conflict Resolution and a Master’s inEducational Psychology from JMU. After graduate school, Dave spent 8 years working at LordFairfax Community College in Virginia. While working at LFCC, Dave completed a Ph.D. inEducational Leadership from Colorado State University. Currently, Dave works as the Dean ofAcademic Affairs at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, Virginia.Dave is very humbled to have received the Dr. Ronald Carrier Award for Exemplary StudentLeadership upon his graduation from JMU in addition to being named the 2005 OutstandingProfessional of the Year at a Two-Year Institution by the Virginia Association of Student PersonnelAdministrators. Dave is an avid sports enthusiast and truly values the time he gets to spend withfamily and friends. In 2006, Dave got married to his college sweetheart, Carrie. In 2009, theywelcomed twin sons, Chase and Luke, to the world. In 2013, the birth of their daughter, Belle,completed their family. The Ursos live in Harrisonburg, VA.
Scott P. Rogers('00; '02M) [email protected] Scott P. Rogers, an AssociateBroker with Funkhouser Real Estate Group, began his real estate career in 2003 and has beenworking hard ever since to provide exceptional service to his buyer and seller clients inHarrisonburg and Rockingham County. Scott earned a B.A. and M.Ed. from JMU, providing himformal education in graphic design, management and counseling -- all of which he leverages on adaily basis to the benefit of his clients. Scott's graphic design and web development backgroundallows him to create and utilize high caliber technology and marketing solutions for his clients. In2007, Scott began providing in-depth analysis and commentary on the local real estate market viahis real estate blog, HarrisonburgHousingToday.com. Since that time, he created many othervaluable online resources for the local community.
