From the Advancement Office:

Dan Peña ’01, ’08/MA, MBA<br />Vice President of Institutional Advancement — Dan Peña ’01, ’08/MA, MBA
Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Greetings Alumni & Friends

It is with much excitement and anticipation that I assume the responsibilities of Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Siena Heights. SHU has been an amazing blessing in my life. In addition to earning two degrees at SHU, I met my wife Amber as an undergraduate. We were married in Lumen (now St. Dominic) Chapel, and dedicated our children on campus. We certainly have “blood in the bricks” at SHU and I’m so honored to come home to serve the mission.

Siena Heights is a wonderful place that the world deeply needs. Our graduates leave prepared to enjoy personal success in their lives and careers. More importantly, SHU graduates enter the world ready to lead and inspire others to become more competent, purposeful, and ethical. They embody the vision of the Adrian Dominican Sisters—To seek truth, make peace, and reverence life.

The next time you are on campus, please take a moment to stop by my office in Sacred Heart Hall to say hello. Our team welcomes the opportunity to meet and connect with the wonderful alumni of Siena Heights University who make our job such a privilege.

Go Saints!

Dan Peña ’01, ’08/MA, MBA
Vice President of Institutional Advancement
(517) 264-7146
dpena@sienaheights.edu

Prison Break

Aaron Kinzel ’10 Uses Education to Be on the Right Side of the Criminal Justice System

If Aaron Kinzel ’10 was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, it was probably stolen.

At age 5, he was taught to pick locks and steal. Continually surrounded by bad people and bad influences at home, the angry, pot-smoking 15-year-old shoved a teacher at a basketball game one night, and then tangled with police who tried to arrest him. That landed him in the juvenile detention center. From there, he moved on to drugs and guns.

The tipping point for Kinzel came at age 18, when his violent confrontation with police led to a five-felony conviction. He served nearly 10 years in federal prison, but spent some of that time learning. He learned about the legal system. He learned about the cultural stigmas of being a convicted felon. And he learned that he didn’t have to be angry any more.

Turning to education, one prison correspondence class sparked an amazing educational journey that continues to unfold. Now a Siena Heights University graduate on his way to a doctorate, Kinzel is teaching others about the criminal justice system—from his own unique perspective.

From the Heights—Summer 2017 Campus News

SHU’s Online Program Ranked First in Michigan, Tied for 24th Nationally

SHU’s Online Learning Program was ranked as the first in Michigan among all institutions by the U.S. News and World Report. SHU also was ranked nationally for the fourth consecutive year, finishing tied for 24th among all public and private institutions. SHU has offered online bachelor’s degree completion programs in selected majors since 2004. U.S. News and World Report’s methodology included student engagement, faculty credentials and training, peer reputation and student services and technology to determine the rankings. The publication released its 2017 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs rankings Jan. 10.

Frost Publishes New Book

SHU Associate Professor of History Julieanna Frost, Ph.D., had her new book published, “Chemo Fashion Fridays: One Woman’s Breast Cancer Journey.” This work is a photo essay of her chemotherapy journey, and includes funny stories and poems to inspire hope for others fighting breast cancer. It is available on Amazon.

‘Finding Your Roots’ Event Part of Black History Month

The Ethnic and Gender Studies Institute and Black History Month at Siena Heights presented “Finding Your Roots: Tracing Family History” Feb. 20 at Cotton Brewing Co. in Adrian. Debra Middleton discussed how to use traditional research methods as well as cutting-edge technologies to uncover and preserve your family history, and will share inspirational stories from her own journey in African-American genealogy. She is a member of the Afro-American Historical Genealogical Society and is a staff member at the University of Toledo.