New award at Oakland University honors 10 alumni within 10 years of their graduation

New award at Oakland University honors 10 alumni within 10 years of graduation
New award at Oakland University honors 10 alumni within 10 years of their graduation
Front row: Stephen Parker, SECS `10 & `13, Nicholas Kristock, SBA `13 & `14, Krystina Panek, SON `11, Elise Joseph, SECS `08 & `15, Katie Lukovich, SHS `14, Relando Thompkins-Jones, CAS `10, Samir Hanna, CAS `09, Back row L to R: Lucy Sternburgh, SHS `05 & `08, Justin Remington, CAS `09, Marco Marando, SEHS `09

The Oakland University Young Alumni Council has created a new award highlighting career accomplishments of the winners within 10 years of their graduation.

The 10 Within 10 Awards were conceived as a new way to recognize the exceptional impact young alumni make within their professions and throughout their communities. In order to be considered, nominees must have graduated within the last 10 years and be 35 years old or younger.

“We have always worked hard to do a good job of honoring OU alumni who have had long, distinguished careers,” said Angie Schmucker, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations. “With this award, we are shifting the focus to honor 10 of the best and brightest recent graduates who have made an early career impact.”

The winners of the 2016 Young Alumni 10 Within 10 Awards, who were presented with their awards at the inaugural 10 Within 10 awards dinner on May 10, include:

Samir Hanna, CAS 2009
Elise Joseph, SECS 2008 and 2015
Nicholas Kristock, SBA 2013 and 2014
Katie Lukovich, SHS 2014
Marco Marando, SEHS, 2009
Krystina Panek, SON 2011
Stephen Parker, SECS 2010 and 2013
Justin Remington, CAS 2009
Lucy Sternburgh, SHS 2005, 2008
Relando Thompkins-Jones, CAS 2010

Learn more about this year’s first class by reading their bios:

 

Samir Hanna, CAS `09

Administrative Law Judge, Michigan Administrative Hearing System

 

The Honorable Samir Hanna has been an Administrative Law Judge for the State of Michigan since March 2015.  

 

Just two weeks after graduating cum laude from Oakland University with honors in both Political Science and English in 2010, Samir began law school at the University of Michigan. In 2013, Samir changed direction and began working in legal aid while opening his own practice, the Fellowship Law Center, PLLC. Within 18 months of opening Fellowship Law, he saved his largely indigent client population more than $500,000.

 

On weekends, Judge Hanna serves as the program manager of MACC Legal, the legal services division of MACC Development, a faith-based non-profit seeking holistic revitalization of Detroit's 48214 community through sliding fee legal services.

 

Elise Joseph, SECS `08 & `15

Chemical Engineer, US Army TARDEC

 

Elise Joseph graduated from Oakland University with both a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Chemistry in 2008 and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on energy, fluid, and thermal Systems in 2015.

 

After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Elise became a chemical engineer for TARDEC’s Energy Storage Team, responsible for leading research, development, and engineering activities in the area of advanced energy storage technology for military ground vehicles. Since then, Elise has supported and led multiple projects to develop advanced battery technologies to meet aggressive military requirements and growing energy demands.

 

Today, Elise continues her career at TARDEC as the primary engineering support point of contact and recognized Department of Defense subject matter expert for all fielded Army ground vehicle batteries.

 

Nicholas Kristock, SBA `13 & `14

Founder/Executive Director, Fleece and Thank You

 

Nicholas is a double alumnus of Oakland University, graduating in 2013 with his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and graduating a year later with his Master of Business Administration.

 

Nicholas has founded multiple non-profit organizations, most recently Fleece & Thank You, an innovative 501(c)3 operating charity that connects the donor directly to their cause through video message technology and delivers comfort and hope in the form of a fleece blanket and personalized video message to children suffering in the hospital.

 

While attending Oakland University, Nicholas was very involved on campus playing for the NCAA Division I Men’s varsity soccer team. A three-year captain for the team, Nicholas helped lead the program to three conference championships. Upon graduation in 2014, Nicholas signed a professional soccer contract in Brisbane, Australia, where he spent two years.

 

 

Katie Lukovich, SHS `14

Certified Surgical First Assistant, Henry Ford West Bloomfield

 

Katie Lukovich is a 2014 graduate of the School of Health Sciences and is currently employed at Henry Ford West Bloomfield as a certified surgical first assistant.

 

Within her role, Katie is responsible for assisting in surgery, which includes positioning, prepping and transferring patients, assisting with wound retraction and hemostasis, suturing, and dressing or cast application. She is also responsible for training new hires and students that come through the department.

 

Shortly before graduation, Katie was elected to serve as Secretary for Michigan Association of Surgical Technologists. Katie also serves on the Certified Surgical Technologist Exam Review Committee for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Most recently she was elected to serve as a voting member on the board of directors for the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors.

 

Marco Marando, SEHS `09

Principal, Taylor School District

 

Marco graduated in May of 2009, with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from OU and received his master’s in School Leadership at Saginaw Valley State University in 2013. Both college experiences reinforced in Marco the importance of the school and community partnership and the importance of maximizing the potential of each and every child.

Marco currently serves as the principal of Blair Moody Elementary School in the Taylor School District, where he is responsible for the safety and education of more than 400 students. He implemented the Leader in Me process to help increase academic achievement and decrease student discipline, which tripled the amount of parents involved on the school PTO group.

Before accepting his current position, Marco was a fifth grade teacher at Simonds Elementary School and was the 7th and 8th grade Language Arts teacher for Allen Academy in Detroit. Recently, he became a part of the Alumni Resource Development Board for the School of Education and Human Services at Oakland University.

 

Krystina Panek, SON `11

Clinical Nurse, Beaumont Health System

 

Krystina Panek graduated from Oakland University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. For the past five years, she has worked as an obstetrics nurse and has been recognized for her excellent care and compassion at the bedside. 

 

After graduating from Oakland University, she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing, as well as advanced certifications in acute inpatient obstetrics nursing and electronic fetal monitoring. Krystina is passionate about education and sharing her knowledge to improve her profession and positively impact the care of patients in her community. 

 

In addition to working as a nurse, Krystina is a nursing instructor for Oakland University and Macomb Community College. Krystina has taught more than 30 courses in areas such as inpatient obstetrics, basic nursing skills and nursing preceptor courses. Krystina has also spent her summers working to inspire middle school students to pursue careers in nursing at Oakland University’s “Camp RN.” 

 

Stephen Parker, SECS `10 & `13

SRT Powertrain – Design and Release Engineer, FCA Group

Stephen Parker currently works at Fiat Chrysler on some of the most exciting programs they have to offer. As a Release Engineer for cooling and oil systems in the SRT Powertrain group, he has had the privilege of working on the highest power muscle car ever built, the Hellcat Challenger and the fastest production track car, the ACR Viper. 

He began his career at FCA in the esteemed CIE or Chrysler Institute of Engineering program, where he rotated through the company for two years prior to joining SRT. 

Stephen earned both his bachelors and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering are from OU in 2010 and 2013. Currently, he also leads the Oakland University recruiting team for FCA; he is responsible for maintaining one of the strongest corporate recruiting teams at Oakland University. 

Justin Remington, CAS `09

Director of Operations and Chief of Staff, The Remington Group

 

Justin Remington serves as the Director of Operations and Chief of Staff for The Remington Group, which is a leader in philanthropy consulting. Founded in 1995, TRG has helped regional and national nonprofits raise nearly $4 billion for causes that bring about real change in the world.

 

Justin oversees the firm’s day-to-day operations, which include communications, client relations and grant writing. He is the point of contact between staff, clients and volunteers in the TRG portfolio. Currently, Justin manages the following clients, the Michigan Education Excellence Foundation, Focus: HOPE and the Greater Flint Community Foundation assisting the Flint water crisis.

 

Previously, Justin helped manage former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing’s Active and Safe Campaign, the Chaldean Community Foundation, and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.

 

Justin graduated from Oakland University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and recently completed his first year as a mentor in the Leadership OU program.

 

 

Lucy Sternburgh, SHS `05 & `08

Manager of Employee and Community Health Promotion, Beaumont Health

 

Lucy Sternburgh is a two-time graduate from the School of Health Sciences, earning her bachelors in 2005 and masters in Exercise Science in 2008.

 

She currently works as the Manager of Employee Wellness & Community Health Promotion at Beaumont Health System. She is a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Certified Worksite Wellness Program Manager, Intrinsic Coach, Certified Wellness Speaker, and earned her PhD in Health Promotion & Wellness.

 

Lucy is also a Special Lecturer at Oakland University within the Wellness, Health Promotion and Injury Prevention program, and very much enjoys sharing her passion for well being with others. She has completed over 500 hours of training as a mindfulness-based stress reduction teacher through the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Healthcare and Society at UMASS Medical School.

 

Lucy is especially passionate about encouraging others to take great care of themselves, and believes that health, happiness and well-being are contagious!

 

 

Relando Thompkins-Jones, CAS `10

Independent Consultant for Diversity and Inclusion

Lecturer, Oakland University & University of Michigan

 

Relando Thompkins-Jones is a social worker, educator, and aspiring humanitarian who works to build equitable and more inclusive communities and improve intergroup relations. 

 

He has worked with students, faculty, and staff in institutions of higher education on college campuses, as well as with community groups and secondary schools creating, and implementing experiential activities and projects that advance diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. 

 

Currently, he serves as an independent consultant for diversity and inclusion, providing training and workshops to student groups and organizations interested in creating more inclusive communities. The writings and curated resources from his website, Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian have been incorporated into the curriculum in social work classrooms around the country.

 

As a graduate of Oakland University's Social Work Program in 2010 and the University of Michigan School of Social Work, he has returned to teach at these institutions in hopes of facilitating experiences that enable future practitioners to undergo and commit to the continued the critical self-reflection, personal growth, and professional development required to be agents of social change.

 

Relando is also enrolled in the Post-Master's Certificate Program in Higher Education at Oakland University, with hopes of matriculating into the Doctoral Program in Organizational Leadership.

 

As a first-generation student from the Brightmoor Community of Detroit, Relando credits the support of the Center for Multicultural Initiatives, OU's Social Work Program, and many other people and programs at OU for helping him to find his voice and his passion for equity and justice.