alumni stories

If attitude determines altitude, then the sky is the limit for Alana Jackson of San Antonio, Texas.

Usually the caregiver helps the patient, but in the case of Gary Sytsma, a 34-year veteran respiratory therapist, it was the mother of one of his pediatric patients who helped him chart a whole new career. 

For some students, an NCU degree can change their life. For others, the educational experience can change a country. This is the case for Dr. Desmond Bikoko, a 2007 NCU graduate with a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) specializing in international business.

This year, Dr. Bikoko plans to run for the mayor of Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. As the current Councilor for the city, he is launching a second campaign for mayor after losing in a tight election in 2014.

For the past six years, Gloria Turner has been an NCU Enrollment Advisor, but soon the PhD in Education candidate hopes to be an NCU professor.

Turner, who has her MBA and will graduate in July 2016 with her doctorate degree, was encouraged by the students she advises and other NCU professors to pursue her own PhD.

“NCU professors told me that once I had my PhD, I would be surprised at the opportunities that would open up,” said Turner.

Many children dream of growing up and playing professional sports. Most of us will never realize that dream, but there are other avenues to a career in sports. This is exactly what one former high school athlete and NCU graduate did.

There are no shortage of people who dream about having a different career or job, but few people act on their desire to do something different for a variety of reasons that often boil down to one word: fear.

Fear of going back to school, fear of making a wrong move, fear of uncertainty, fear of starting over. The list goes on and on. But sometimes circumstances conspire to make the decision for you as happened to Tim Holt, a 2014 Ph.D. graduate in Educational Leadership.

Long Branch School District Superintendent and NCU Alumnus, Dr. Michael Salvatore, Recognized for Contributions to the Education Community by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

NCU Alumnus Dr. Michael Salvatore, PhD in Education – Instructional and Curriculum Leadership, received accolades last week from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and other local and state officials for his outstanding leadership abilities and for being an asset to New Jersey’s education community during a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new school that opened in the Long Branch School District.