“Rising Stars” is a new feature making its debut in this issue of Reflections. It profiles Siena Heights University alumni who have graduated within the past 10 years and who excel in their careers, occupations or community service accomplishments. To be considered for the “Rising Stars” piece in an upcoming issue of Reflections Magazine, please fill out the online form at www.sienaheights.edu/risingstars. Those who are selected to be included in an upcoming issue of the magazine will be contacted by the Reflections staff.

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Chet Hesson

Graduation year: 2009

Current title/position: Assistant Athletic Director & Director of Compliance, Stetson University.

What Chet is doing: He is responsible for the administration and full oversight of a comprehensive NCAA Division I, Atlantic Sun Conference and Pioneer League rules compliance program at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. His primary duties include investigating and reporting rules infractions, administration of a comprehensive rules education program, preparation of waivers and releases, transfer evaluations, monitoring of playing and practicing seasons, recruiting, potential extra benefits, campus visits, social networking and the Stetson athletics website.

Favorite moment/story while a student at SHU was: My four years at Siena were very challenging between the academic rigor, working part-time, participating on two athletic teams, multiple surgeries and injuries that derailed me not only physically but mentally. But when it’s all said and done, that was the path that was laid out and it made me enjoy the successes, friendships created and resiliency needed to be successful and enjoy the simple things in life.

Favorite person at SHU was: History Professor and Advisor Sr. Jeanne Lefebvre.

Ultimate goal in life: Positively affect the lives of everything and everyone I come in contact with—a lofty goal, but that’s why we set goals, right?

Best advice for SHU students is: Work for a cause, not an applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt. Also, college is a very impressionable time period, take the time to reflect while enrolled at SHU to feel the moment and who you are becoming. If you love yourself and who you are becoming, great; if you don’t like who you are becoming, change.

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Joel Parrish

Graduation year: 2010

Current title/position: Technology Analyst for Goldman Sachs, New York City.

What Joel is doing: He works in financial risk technology at Goldman Sachs. He has been part of a number of teams creating software to mitigate risk to the company and the global economy. (Editor’s Note: Joel can’t publicly disclose most of his job duties because of company and federal confidentiality reasons).

Favorite moment/story while a student at SHU was: Working on new emerging technology in the field of Natural User interfaces with a few other Siena students. The technology got featured in a newspaper that lead to us being invited to the first ever Interactive Display Conference with some of the biggest names in the field today.

Favorite people at SHU were: Bob Conlon and Al Ballenberger.

Ultimate goal in life: Create new systems that will change the way we interact with computers.

Best advice for SHU students is: Don’t be afraid to adventure outside your field of study. The people and experiences you will come across will really change your life.

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Garrett Broom

Graduation year: 2006

Current title/position: Director of Development, University of Wisconsin Athletics Department.

What Garrett is doing: After spending two years in the private sector of retail banking, he made the transition into intercollegiate athletics. The turning point in my personal and professional life was when Neil Cockburn (former SHU assistant coach) called him and gave him an opportunity to be his graduate assistant coach at Webber International University (Fla.). He then knew he wanted to pursue a career in intercollegiate athletic administration. He has since served as a development assistant with the Golden Gopher Fund, the fundraising arm for the athletic department at the University of Minnesota, and later as an assistant director of Development for the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation for University of Mississippi’s Athletic Department. Since February, he is serving as director of Development for the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department.

Favorite moment/story while a student at SHU was: My experience as a student-athlete and the camaraderie with my teammates. I was an average soccer player at best, but I had a great opportunity to be a part of a team with some fantastic people.

Favorite person at SHU was: It is hard to pick one, so I am going to pick a few: Jason Blickensdorf, Aaron Chmiel, Professors Mike Connell and Neil Cockburn.

Ultimate goal in life: Professionally, I will be an athletic director in higher education. Personally, I will be a productive citizen in society and impact people in a positive manner.

Best advice for SHU students is: Take advantage of your time as a student at SHU. It is really hard to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life, but once you do, it is a very powerful thing. I urge students to go into a field you are really excited and passionate about because when that is your career, it really makes it fun. Use your resources around you by talking to professors and reaching out to people in the field you are interested in. It today’s world there is a lot of information out there, so reach out to CEOs, teachers, coaches, accountants, etc. and ask to do an informational interview. Or, if possible, job shadow an industry leader. That will help network and give you a feel for the industry you are looking into.

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Jennifer Mandock Brown

Graduation year: 2006

Current title/position: Director of Sales & Marketing, University of Tennessee Athletic Department.

What Jennifer is doing: She currently works in marketing for the University of Tennessee Athletic Department. She oversees marketing and promotional efforts for women’s basketball, softball and track & field, while also assisting with marketing and promotional efforts for football. In addition, she assists with ticket sales and student attendance strategies for all 18 sports and helps with UT’s overall social media strategy. She also maintain daily correspondence with IMG/Vol Network, UT’s marketing and media rights holder, to ensure fulfillment of sponsor contracts. In January 2013 she was promoted to director of Sales & Marketing.

Favorite moment/story while a student at SHU was: There are so many things that make Siena such a special place, and I have so many great memories, so it is impossible to pick just one. Most of all I remember all of the time spent with my teammates and their families. I also want to mention that I met my husband, Rich Brown ’05, at Siena, so it will always hold a special place in both of our hearts.

Favorite person at SHU was: Hmmm. This is a tough one. I enjoyed getting to know Coach (Sue) Syljebeck. She made not only me but my entire family feel like a part of the team. She is one reason I am where I am today.

Ultimate goal in life: Never get so busy making a living that I forget to make a life.

Best advice for SHU students is: If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it, and if you do not step forward, you’ll remain in the same place. Take advantage of every opportunity given to you and don’t ever let down.