By Kenya Godette

The 鶹 Alumni Association (鶹AA) announced its 40 Under 40 Recognition Program Class of 2025 — a group of notable 鶹 alumni who are trailblazers in their fields and have made exceptional contributions to society, all before the age of 40. 

This cohort is the fifth class to be honored by the 鶹AA and were selected based on rigorous criteria for demonstrating excellence in their fields, making an impact in their communities and for achievement in business, research and education.

This year’s class is comprised of educators, engineers, scientists, healthcare professionals, government officials, nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers across a range of industries.

Krista Harrell '01 (M.S.Ed. '03, Ph.D. '12), associate vice president for the Office of Alumni Relations, said, “The 2025 Class of 40 Under 40 honorees represent the kind of alumni I’m proud to stand beside — thoughtful, determined and doing work that speaks for itself. As a fellow alum, I know how much 鶹 shaped my path.”

“Celebrating them is a reminder of how powerful it is to keep showing up for the place that helped shape us. I hope it sparks more Monarchs to reconnect, engage, contribute and continue to leave a lasting legacy at 鶹,” she said.

Members of the 2025 class are:

  • Dr. Mariam Abdelhamid ‘13 (M.A. ‘16, Ph.D. ‘22), Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Burbank Unified School District
  • Alexis Borum ‘14, Sales Executive (Sales Manager), ADP
  • Tishauna Brevard ‘16, Program Supervisor, City of Norfolk 
  • Justin   Bullock ‘05 (M.A. ‘17), Director of Parks and Recreation, County of Greene, Virginia
  • Ila Cartwright ‘14, School Counselor, Chesterfield County Public Schools
  • Sierra Chavis (Ed.S. ‘21), Director of Youth Opportunities and Project Inclusion, United Way South Hampton Roads 
  • Robert Cori ‘12, Director of Commercial Innovation, AstraZeneca
  • Cedricka Dalton (M.E.M ‘18, Ph.D. ‘26), Cyber Electronics Engineer, Department of Homeland Security 
  • K.Janea' Daniel ‘13, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Sunkizzed Enterprise
  • Greg Fenner ‘11, Career & Technical Education Instructor, Loudoun County Public Schools
  • David Flanagan ‘11, Assistant Vice President for Research Security and Export Control, 鶹
  • Sadé Garner ‘10, Senior Release Train Engineer, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
  • Prentice Gill ‘12 (M.A. ‘18), Assistant Wide Receiver Coach, Baltimore Ravens
  • Khenia Haro-Perez ‘18, Virginia State Manager, The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice 
  • Dr. Emily Hawkins (Ph.D. ‘13, Ph.D. ‘23), Clinical Assistant Professor, 鶹 Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
  • Megan Hawkins ‘08 (M.A. ‘09), Third Grade Teacher, Norfolk Public Schools
  • Dr. Keyanna Hawkins ‘12, Strategic Relationship Coordinator: Electric Transmission, Dominion Energy
  • Dr. Saige Hill ‘15 (M.A. ‘18, Ph.D. ‘23), Assistant Director, Monarch Internship and Co-Op Office, 鶹
  • Kyle Hobson (M.A. ‘11), Consumer Safety Officer/State Liaison, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  • Brittany Holder ‘14, Deputy Director of Communications, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)
  • Dr. Brittany Hunter ‘11 (M.A. ‘16, Ph.D. ‘18), RN-BSN Department Chair, Dallas College
  • Dr. Lindsie McCabe ‘12, Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS
  • Kevin McDonald ‘11, Entrepreneur
  • Dr. Tim Murray ‘10 (M.A. ‘13), Research Statistician and Health Economist, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine 
  • Dr. Marquis Norton (Ph.D. ‘17), Professor, Hampton University 
  • Chelisa Painter ‘15, Professional Basketball Referee, NBA
  • Dr. Pushpa Pandey (M.A. ‘19, Ph.D. ‘24), Postdoctoral Associate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Dillard Patton (M.A. ‘18), Director, International Science, Office of Naval Research Global
  • Dr. Lauren Robins ‘14 (M.A. ‘17, Ph.D. ‘21), Clinical Assistant Professor & Online Counseling Program Coordinator, 鶹
  • William Shults IV ‘13, Sales Manager, PGA TOUR
  • Alexandrea Sumuel ‘12, Director of Operations and Travel Journalist, Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC and Travel Journalist, Wander Worthy
  • Dr. LaKeith Sutton ‘11, Co-Owner & Clinical Director, For Us Therapeutics- Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC
  • Dr. Holly Tenaglia (M.A. ‘20, Ph.D. ‘21), Lecturer, 鶹
  • Kristin  Traskie (M.A. ‘11), Executive Director, Health Promotion, Engagement, Accessibility and Accommodations, Michigan State University 
  • Dr. Fred Tugas ‘13, Chief of Staff, Student Enrollment, Engagement and Services, 鶹
  • Jiselle Velazquez ‘04, Owner and Occupational Therapist, Minds in Motion, LLC
  • Madison Wagner ‘19, Associate Attorney, Rice and Gregg P.C.
  • Jessica Watson ‘12 (M.A. ‘21), International Student Visa and Data Manager, Virginia Commonwealth University 
  • Jamilah Wesley ‘19, Sr. Risk Analyst, Freddie Mac
  • Dr. Hasika Wickrama Senevirathne (Ph.D. ‘24), Research Fellow, National University of Singapore