50 Under 50

Union Commonwealth University is a pillar of excellence, with nearly 16,000 alumni excelling in business, entrepreneurship, research, healthcare, science, technology, the arts, entertainment, media, sports, public service, philanthropy, education, and beyond.


Our 50 Under 50 program celebrates Bulldog alumni who exemplify the mission and values of the University. These outstanding individuals are making a significant impact and demonstrating how a Union Commonwealth University degree can be a powerful catalyst for success in their careers, communities, and lives.


Developed by the Office of Advancement, the 50 Under 50 alumni award aims to engage, re-engage, educate, honor, and cultivate the next generation of UCU advocates, donors, and ambassadors. As ambassadors, class members may be invited throughout the year to serve as speakers, panelists, advisory committee members, and participants in unique opportunities across the University.


The class will be selected in March 2025, with 10 honorees revealed each month leading up to Homecoming Weekend 2025, where the entire class will be brought back to campus to be honored and recognized..

CRITERIA

  • Must be a Union Commonwealth University graduate (undergraduate or graduate degree).
  • Must not have reached their 51st birthday by September 1, 2025. Candidates who turn 51 before this date are NOT eligible.
  • Should have made a significant impact in their respective field, profession, or community.
  • Cannot be an employee of Union Commonwealth University.
  • Must be willing to develop and maintain engagement with Union Commonwealth University.
  • Must be willing to submit a high-resolution photo, if selected, for publication by the university.

April Edition

Gina Liford Rotkvich


Class of 2001 | Biology
Current Role: General Dentist, City Smiles, Chicago, IL


Career Highlights:

  • Graduated in the top 10 of her class at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (2005)
  • Twice featured on the cover of City Chicago Woman Magazine
  • Former board member, Kid’s First Dental – serving children in Eastern Kentucky


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Dr. Theodore R. Davies Senior Biology Award
  • Member of the Drama program, Gamma Beta Phi, Iota Sigma Nu
  • Played on the Women’s Tennis team
  • Upward Bound participant

Paschal Glavinos Jr.


Class of 2013 | Criminal Justice
Current Role: Partner, McMickle, Kurey, and Branch LLP


Career Highlights:

  • Represents national clients, including the largest owner of single-family homes in the U.S. and major fast-food chains
  • Member, Georgia Defense Lawyers Association


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Member of the Swimming Team

Bart Elam


Class of 2003 (Bachelor Degree | Accounting), 2008 & 2010 (Graduate Degrees | Education)
Current Role: Math Teacher, Corbin Schools; Football Coach


Career Highlights:

  • Founder of MAD Academy – Mountain Athlete Development
  • Football coaching at Pineville and Corbin High Schools
  • Lifelong advocate for student-athletes in southeastern Kentucky


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • First-Generation College Student
  • Union Football team

Kristie Miller Gorman


Class of 2005 (Bachelor Degree | Education), 2006 & 2008 (Graduate Degrees | Education)
Current Role: Assistant Superintendent, Perry County Schools


Career Highlights:

  • Began her career as youngest principal in Kentucky at Jenkins Independent
  • Education Recovery Leader for Knox Central High School
  • Recipient, Kentucky Women in Education Leadership Award


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Member, 2003 Women’s Basketball Team of Distinction
  • First-Generation College Student
  • Union Women’s Basketball team

William Bland


Class of 2012 | Accounting
Current Role: Resilience & Suicide Prevention Coordinator, KY Army National Guard


Career Highlights:

  • Developed KY National Guard’s first suicide prevention program
  • Served as Master Resilience Trainer for 600+ soldiers in Kuwait & Iraq
  • Holds an MBA from the University of Louisville and serves as a fitness coach
  • Host of Goal Tending podcast


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Men’s Basketball team
  • Student Ambassador


Dr. Kasey Jordan Hoskins


Class of 2013 | Social Work
Current Role: Lead Social Worker, Mountain View PACE


Career Highlights:

  • Earned DSW from Simmons University (2023)
  • Author and speaker with a focus on grandparents raising grandchildren
  • Guest speaker & mentor for Union Commonwealth University’s students interested in social work




Matt Pursel


Class of 2005 | Secondary Education, Social Studies
Current Role: Dean of Students, St. Andrew’s School, Boca Raton, FL


Career Highlights:

  • Works with students from Florida and 40+ countries
  • Advisory board member, Marine Education Initiative & Boys and Girls Club
  • Former Alumni Board member and UCCG Presidential Award recipient


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Football and Men’s Basketball teams
  • Iota Sigma Nu



Corey Chesnut


Class of 2018 | MBA
Current Role: EVP & Chief Banking Officer, Hometown Bank


Career Highlights:

  • 10+ years in banking; graduate of Southeastern School of Banking
  • Serves on Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board
  • Member, Leadership Kentucky’s BRIGHT program




Nicole Swope Fariello


Class of 1997 | Sports Management
Current Role: Co-Founder & Owner, Zeal 40 Creative Agency, Cincinnati, OH


Career Highlights:

  • Named one of Ohio’s 500 Most Influential Executives
  • Co-chair of Forest Hills Foundation for Education
  • Founder, Anderson Women’s Power Event


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Women’s Soccer team
  • Iota Sigma Nu



Haley McCoy


Class of 2007 | Mass Communications
Current Role: Chief Business Development Officer, Thoroughbred Engineering


Career Highlights:

  • Serves on UCU Board of Trustees & Kentucky Historical Society board
  • Former President/CEO, Kentucky Association for Economic Development
  • Founding committee member, SOAR, Inc.


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Bjornstad Freshman Composition Award
  • Iota Sigma Nu Freshman Award
  • William Faulkner Rushton Writing Award – Poetry
  • Beverly P. & Mossie B. Wilson Memorial Award


May Edition

Grant Burdette


Class of 2015 | Criminal Justice
Current Role: Assistant Solicitor, Kentucky Office of Attorney General


Career Highlights:

  • Recipient of the 2024 Attorney General’s Award for his efforts to lift the moratorium on the death penalty in Kentucky
  • Successfully argued a murder case before the Kentucky Supreme Court, resulting in a published decision
  • Board member, CASA of Southern Kentucky


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Manager for the Football Team
  • Peer Mentor
  • Common Partners


Luis Prior


Class of 2001 | Business Administration
Current Role: CEO & Founder, Meavia Toys



Career Highlights:

  • Founded Meavia Toys, which supports the developmental needs of autistic children
  • Creator of 19 unique toys now sold in over 300 stores across 6 countries
  • Featured in the New York Times (March 2024)
  • Former member, Union Alumni Council


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Member of the Golf Team
  • Theatre Program Participant


Carla Kersey


Class of 2022 | M.S. in Digital Marketing & Communications Management
Current Role: Marketing Director, Kentucky Educational Development Corporation


Career Highlights:

  • Honorable Mention Award recipient from the National School PR Association for her show "On the Road with Carla"
  • Featured in The Advocate and the Kentucky School Board Association Magazine
  • Creator of the "Stuff the Bus" initiative for Western Kentucky tornado victims
  • Launched the “Rise Up” initiative in response to Eastern Kentucky floods



Dr. Aaron Belcher


Class of 2004 | Biology
Current Role: Belcher Chiropractic; Owner | Club Fit 24 Hour Fitness, Somerset, KY


Career Highlights:

  • Graduated magna cum laude from Palmer College of Chiropractic
  • Certified in Palmer Package, Activator, Gonstead, Graston, and more
  • Specializes in prenatal chiropractic care with Webster certification
  • Runs a thriving practice serving all ages and demographics


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Member of the Baseball Team
  • Bjornstad Freshman Composition Award recipient
  • First-generation college student


Stephanie Pateman


Class of 2009 | Business Administration & Marketing
Current Role: Virtual Financial Advisor, Canada Life


Career Highlights:

  • Recognized as an Excellent/Elite Advisor by Freedom 55 Financial (2018–2020)
  • Recipient of the 2019 Rising Star Award at Union Commonwealth University Hall of Fame Ceremony
  • Serves clients digitally across Western Canada


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Member of the Volleyball Team
  • Student Government Association
  • Campus Activities Award
  • H.B. Business Enterprise Award


Brooks Napier


Class of 2009 | Mass Communications
Current Role: Supply Chain & Distribution Executive


Career Highlights:

  • Servant leader with a passion for team development and delivering exceptional customer experiences
  • Directed multi-site operations in e-commerce and distribution for nationwide organizations
  • Former member of the Board of Directors, Winchester Clark County Chamber of Commerce
  • Graduate of Leadership Winchester / Clark County (2021)


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Member of Baseball & Golf Team
  • Resident Assistant
  • Student Ambassador
  • Student Life Above & Beyond Award Recipient
  • Campus Activities Award

Dr. Ruth Wooton-Kee


Class of 1996 | Biology & Chemistry
Current Role: Assistant Professor – Baylor College of Medicine


Career Highlights:

  • Devoted much of her career to biomedical research, resulting in multiple peer-reviewed publications and numerous studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Research interests include Wilson's disease, nuclear receptors, liver regeneration, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Recipient of the 2010 Rising Star Award at Union Commonwealth University Hall of Fame Ceremony
  • Current member of the Union Commonwealth University Board of Trustees


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Upward Bound Program
  • Iota Sigma Nu Award



Dr. Ingrid Washington


Class of 1996 (Bachelor Degree | Business Education), 2003 (Graduate Degrees | Secondary Education: Psychology)

Current Role:  Vice President for Student Affairs, Gateway Community & Technical College


Career Highlights:

  • Over 20 years of experience in higher education, served as guest speaker on numerous panels
  • Earned doctorate in education from Morehead State University
  • Began her career at Union as Director of Special Programs
  • Longtime board member at the Brighton Center
  • Former member, Union Alumni Council


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Iota Sigma Nu Award recipient

Aaron McCollum


Class of 2013 | Business Administration & Sports Management
Current Role: Pega Developer, Agile Defense


Career Highlights:

  • Former sales professional with Washington Nationals and D.C. United
  • Holds a Master’s degree from Georgetown University
  • Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
  • Recognized software developer in the D.C. area



Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Student Ambassador
  • Dr. L.A. Geiss Senior Award, Dr. Paul S. Moore Award, Dr. Mahlon A. Miller President Emeritus Award, Governor James D. Black Senior Award, Rena Milliken Award

Rachel Lewis-Rapier


Class of 1998 | Business Administration
Current Role: Entrepreneur and Property Manager


Career Highlights:

  • Graduate of The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale (2002)
  • Former professional in corporate advertising
  • Launched and managed multiple small businesses
  • Active volunteer, Charleston Animal Society
  • Recipient of the 2002 Rising Star Award at Union Commonwealth University Hall of Fame Ceremony
  • Former member, Union Alumni Board


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Phi Beta Lambda

June Edition

April Brock


Class of 2002 (Bachelor's | Middle School Education), 2005 & 2007 (Graduate Degrees | Health & PE, Special Education)
Current Role: Special Education Consultant, Southeast/South-Central Educational Cooperative (SESC)


Career Highlights:

  • 15 years of teaching and coaching in the public school system
  • Consultant serving 26 school districts across Kentucky
  • Adjunct faculty member, Lincoln Memorial University
  • Inducted into Kentucky High School Softball Hall of Fame (2014)


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Softball and Women's Basketball

Dr. Billy Hensley


Class of 1998 (Bachelor’s | Psychology), 2001 (Graduate | Psychology, Secondary Education)
Current Role: President & CEO, National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE)


Career Highlights:

  • Named the 2025 recipient of the William E. Odom Visionary Leadership Award, the most prestigious individual honor from the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy
  • Over 15 years with NEFE, serving the last 7 as President & CEO
  • Led NEFE to be named Best Financial Nonprofit by Bankrate in 2022
  • Grew the organization’s endowment from $174MM to $205MM
  • Frequently featured in national publications, including Forbes
  • Current member of the Union Commonwealth University Board of Trustees


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Upward Bound
  • Drama

Sally Hammitt


Class of 1999 | Psychology & Sociology
Current Role: Interim Deputy Medical Center Director, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System


Career Highlights:

  • Former Director of Homeless Programs, Cincinnati VA Medical Center
  • Oversaw the nation’s largest VA Homeless Program
  • Led outreach efforts during CA wildfires to aid veterans and residents
  • Active volunteer and board member for food insecurity initiatives in Ohio and California


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Softball, Gamma Beta Phi, Iota Sigma Nu


Michael Davenport


Class of 2015 | Biology & Mass Communications
Current Role: Associate Registrar, Compliance, Systems, and Reporting, University of Arizona


Career Highlights:

  • Experience in academic advising and registrar roles at Ohio University and University of Arizona
  • Member of Pacific Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (PACRAO)
  • 2023 Emerging Leader Award recipient, PACRAO
  • Master’s Degree in College Student Personnel, Ohio University


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Bowling, Student Government Association (SGA)

Faith Welch


Class of 2016 | History
Current Role: Associate Attorney, Haller and Colvin


Career Highlights:

  • Former Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Allen County, IN
  • Managing Editor, Dayton Law Review
  • Pro bono legal advocate
  • Volunteer judge for regional and state “We The People” competitions


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Volleyball, Dr. Erwin S. Bradley History Award

Becky Miller


Class of 1997 (Bachelor Degree | Psychology), 2019 (Graduate Degree | MBA)
Current Role: Executive Director, Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP)


Career Highlights:

  • Leads workforce development efforts across 23 Appalachian counties
  • Advocates for job access for underserved populations
  • Former staff at Knox County Community Action Partnership
  • Committed to economic and workforce growth in Eastern Kentucky


Kevin Smith


Class of 2006 | Accounting & Business Administration)
Current Role: Attorney, Law Office of Kevin R. Smith


Career Highlights:

  • J.D., University of Kentucky College of Law; Master’s Degree, Princeton University
  • Co-founder, Rural Up (nonprofit supporting EKY students)
  • Founder, YPEK (young professionals network)
  • Former federal advocate for Appalachian issues
  • Frequent speaker at conferences and panels across the U.S.


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Baseball, Dr. L.A. Geiss Senior Award, H.B. Jones Business Enterprise Award


David Fairbanks


Class of 2008 | Criminal Justice & Sociology
Current Role: Owner and Coach, Lions Pride Weightlifting and Wellness (Cincinnati, OH)


Career Highlights:

  • Opened a 14,500 sq. ft. training facility in downtown Cincinnati (2019)
  • Incorporates mental wellness into fitness programs
  • Certified in CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting disciplines
  • Frequent speaker and youth sports advocate


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Football, Baseball



Alessandra Tavoloni


Class of 2006 (Bachelor Degree | Physical Education), 2008 (Graduate Degrees | Health & PE)
Current Role: Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, South University


Career Highlights:

  • Over a decade of experience in student affairs and coaching
  • Former student life leader at Brevard College
  • Hall of Fame athlete: Inducted into AAC and Union Athletic Halls of Fame
  • Former Union Alumni Board Member


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Women’s Soccer

Patrick Durham


Class of 2005 | Special Education
Current Role: Director of Elementary Education, Bullitt County Schools


Career Highlights:

  • One of the district’s youngest principals (2013–2020)
  • Oversees 13 elementary schools and 12 pre-schools
  • Leads 22 extended school services (ESS) programs
  • Noted for innovation and student achievement


Union Involvement & Honors:

  • Men’s Basketball


FAQ

  • What is the age requirement for 50 Under 50 candidates?

    To be eligible for consideration in the 50 Under 50 Class, nominees must not have reached their 51st birthday by September 1, 2025. Candidates who turn 51 before September 1, 2025 will NOT be eligible.

  • How do I nominate someone for 50 Under 50?

    To nominate someone, click the button above and complete the form before 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2025. The nomination process is simple.

  • Can I nominate more than one person?

    You can nominate as many people as you'd like, but only one nominee per form.

  • Can I nominate myself?

    Absolutely! Who better to highlight your achievements and contributions than you?

  • Does the nominator have to be an alum?

    No, the nominator does not have to be an alum.  It could be an employer, co-worker, friend, clergy person or simply anyone who knows the nominee well.

  • How are the Top 50 selected?

    We anticipate receiving hundreds of nominations for the 50 Under 50 program. Our team will compile all the submissions into a comprehensive list. The 50 Under 50 Selection Committee will then carefully review each nomination, assessing the candidates' achievements and contributions. After thorough discussion and consideration, the committee will select the final 50 honorees, ensuring a diverse representation across various fields and sectors for the Class of 2025.

  • What makes a nomination stand out?

    Our committee seeks nominees with significant accomplishments in their respective fields, including community engagement. When completing the nomination or nominee information form, please be as detailed as possible. Include measurable achievements such as profit increases, awards from professional associations, or the successful completion of a project. We understand that some achievements may not be easily quantified or widely recognized, so providing thorough details is crucial.


    Additionally, the committee will consider the nominee’s involvement in community and volunteer work, emphasizing their dedication to helping others and their overall contributions. Specific examples of these activities will greatly enhance the nomination

  • When will the nominees find out if they have been selected as members of the 50 Under 50 Class of 2025?

    Those who are selected for this years 50 Under 50 class will be contacted by March 31, 2025.