Caldwell University
October 15, 2026
Learning to Leading: Caldwell University Graduates Working for the University
Caldwell, NJ – When students graduate from Caldwell University, the faculty and staff that helped them along the way often have to rely on emails and social media platforms to stay in touch with them, but sometimes all they have to do is walk down the hall or to a building next door to see their student turned colleague. Caldwell University is proud to have alumni working in various offices all over campus, serving the school that served them.
Phoebe Ohnemuller ‘23 was originally drawn to Caldwell University for its location and athletics program. As a student, she enjoyed playing on the Women’s Lacrosse team and making lifelong friends while working towards her degree in Sport Management. Following graduation, Phoebe returned to the University as an Undergraduate Admissions Counselor. In this role, she goes over applications and visits high schools, helping students realize their future at Caldwell University the way the university has for her.
Traci Bitondo ‘06/M.A. ‘12 was interested in Caldwell University because of the M.A in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Art Therapy Concentration, a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited program and the only one of its kind in New Jersey. While pursuing her bachelor’s degrees in art and psychology and then her M.A in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Art Therapy Concentration, Traci forged friendships that are still going strong today. She now works for the university as an Assistant Professor of Counseling and Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning.
“It’s rewarding, entering into the art therapy field after graduating was meaningful to me and it’s nice to be able to come back and hopefully give my current students a similar experience to what I had,” said Traci, when asked how it feels to be back on campus.
Joan H. Moriarty, M.A. ‘95 has a connection to the Caldwell University campus that goes back even further than undergraduate, she attended Mount St. Dominic Academy for high school. So when it was time for Joan to further her education and earn a master’s degree, Caldwell University seemed like the perfect place. She was a member of the first cohort of the Master in Curriculum & Instruction, which was the first M.A. degree offered at the university. Joan now serves as Chair of the Department of Education where she provides leadership and oversight for academic programs, faculty, curriculum, enrollment and recruitment, and continuous program improvement across undergraduate and graduate education programs. “[It] feels like coming home,” said Joan. “I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside talented professionals who share a genuine passion for education and a deep commitment to preparing the next generation of educators and educational leaders.”
Jan Marco Jiras ‘08/M.B.A. ‘10 came to Caldwell University as a recruit for the men’s soccer team, and enjoyed his time as a student playing on the soccer team and meeting his wife on campus. He is now the Director of International Student Services, guiding the university’s population of international students.
Nadirah Smith ‘18 knew that Caldwell University would be her home away from home from the first time she toured the campus. Reflecting on that experience, Nadirah said, “Making my tuition deposit here was one of the greatest decisions I have made in life.” She treasures the memories she made with friends during her time as a student. Nadirah now works as the Student Accounts Coordinator at the university, helping students manage their finances and enroll in payment plans, and providing additional support to students in need. When asked about returning to campus, Nadirah said, “It feels great to be back on campus serving a community that changed my life when I was a student.”
Christian Mathews ‘25 came to Caldwell University for his Post-Master Principal Certification because the program was available online and offered a flexible schedule. The highlight of this program for Christian was the support he received during his leadership field experience. He now teaches as an Adjunct Professor in the History Department while working full time as an Instructional Supervisor in a K-12 NJ School District. When asked about returning to campus, Christian said “ I didn’t get the chance to be on campus much [as a student]. It is very nice to be present as an adjunct and to see the day-to-day life at the university.”
Nick Amabile ‘00 was interested in Caldwell University because his sister had attended and he chose to follow her path. As a student, he enjoyed the opportunities he got in his department to volunteer and help out in the very classes he was taking for his major. He started working part-time for the department as a student. Nick’s role continued to expand to include helping run and maintain the Television Studio, Edit Suite, and Radio & Podcasting Studios and assisting professors and students in a technical capacity during class. His current title is Multimedia Production & Technical Operations Manager, and his role recently expanded again to serve as the main video producer for promotional and PR material highlighting the University’s events, community, and mission. In addition, Nick often assists and mentors students in the Department of Communication and Media Studies. Reflecting on his many experiences at Caldwell University, Nick said,
“I would say the best memory/moment for me is seeing all the students’ lives I’ve touched and changed that now echo forever. They are all a part of me now, as well. For me, when it comes to my life at Caldwell, a ‘moment’ isn’t measured by time. Rather, it’s the collective feeling I have of what my life has been like at Caldwell, seeing all the changes and growth, and knowing I will forever be a part of its history.”
Kara Jorgensen ‘13 was drawn to the Caldwell University campus by its tight-knit, welcoming community and the focus on academic excellence. They recall working on what would become their first published novel as their honors project and working with Dr. Lindroth in the English Department as the highlights of their time as a student. Kara now teaches in the English Department as an Adjunct Professor and runs Calyx, the university’s literary magazine.
“It’s surreal that I submitted to Calyx as an undergrad and now I run it. It feels like I’ve come full circle in that I get to help other students with their creative writing when that was such a pivotal part of my experience at Caldwell,” said Kara.
Nicole Lazzaro-Barbera ‘11/M.A. ‘15 was drawn to Caldwell University by the smaller class sizes and warm community on campus. As a student, Nicole enjoyed being a part of the student government, taking part in the St. Jude Up Til Dawn events and the long-lasting friendships she made. She now works as an Adjunct Professor of English, teaching alongside professors she had as a student.
“It feels so incredibly special and full-circle to be teaching at the place where I grew up, learned so much, and became the person I am today. I’m truly so grateful to have the opportunity to give back to a place that has given me so much,” said Nicole.
Franco Iacovo ‘23/M.B.A. ‘25 was interested in Caldwell University because of its location and small student to faculty ratio. When asked about his favorite memories as a student, Franco said “my time as Student Athlete Advisory Committee President where I was able to help other student athletes as well as put together two great charity opportunities, the Giving Initiative and the Tunnels for Towers Volleyball Game.” He is now Manager of Alumni Affairs, working alongside various groups across the university and pursues events and donations to help current students by the aid of the alumni and sponsor groups.
Megan (Ilievski ‘18) Valenti knew that Caldwell University was a place where she could succeed from the first time she attended an open house. During her time as a student, Megan founded and acted as President/Head Editor/Typesetter for The Caldwell Courier, the university’s student-run newspaper at the time. She was also an Admissions Ambassador and tutored her fellow students in writing and theology at the Academic Success Center. Megan is currently an Adjunct Professor teaching College Writing while working full time at a news network in New York City and pursuing a Ph.D. in English at Liberty University. When asked about returning to campus, Megan said “It brought back the best of memories and all of the times I had at Caldwell. It was here where my career started, and it will always be a part of me.”
Juliann Meletta ‘96/Ph.D. ‘22 was drawn to Caldwell University by the small student to faculty ratio. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree in history and Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certification, Juliann was active in Student Government and the Cheerleading team. She now teaches as an Assistant Professor in the English Department where she is proud to be back on campus.
Ryan Rutano ‘22 chose Caldwell University for its strong nursing program and smaller class sizes. As a student, he enjoyed getting involved around campus by joining clubs and being a part of Residence Life. Ryan currently works as an Adjunct Clinical Instructor in Fundamentals and Adult Health, where he enjoys “seeing the evolution of our campus community.”
Nicole Brandt ‘23 followed in her sister’s footsteps and chose Caldwell University for its strong sense of community and friendly atmosphere. During her time as a student, Nicole was a Student Ambassador and enjoyed getting involved around the university. She recalls being a student during the COVID-19 pandemic and “being able to come back to campus and experience that sense of community again after so much time apart.” Nicole now works as the Registration Services Assistant in the Registrar’s Office, and enjoys the opportunities she has had to experience the university from many different perspectives.
Rachel Thomas, Ph.D. ‘23 received a recommendation for Caldwell University for its Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Ph.D. program. The highlight of her time as a student was the core group of friends she made, with whom she is still close today. Rachel now teaches as an Adjunct Instructor for the ABA master’s program. Reflecting on her experiences at Caldwell University, she said,
“I am the behavior analyst I am because of the faculty at Caldwell. They never let us settle for ‘okay.’ It has shaped me as a professor, researcher, and practitioner.”
Philip Hess, M.B.A. ‘05 was drawn to Caldwell University for its night class options, at the recommendation of other adult students. While pursuing his M.B.A. in Accounting, the first M.B.A. class to be offered at the university, then Caldwell College, Phillip valued the interactions he was able to have with professors who had experience in the field. He currently teaches as an Adjunct Professor of Business, where he has taught a variety of courses over 21 years. He describes teaching at the university as “the highlight of [his] week.”
Melissa (Brady ‘14/M.A. ‘18) Petrillo felt at home from the time she first visited the Caldwell University campus, and liked the small learning environment and student organizations. The highlight of her time as a student was meeting friends and her husband through Campus Ministry while participating in service activities and retreats. Melissa is currently an Adjunct Professor in the English Department where she enjoys teaching students about the writing process. “I am thrilled to be back on campus working with the staff in the English department! All of my wonderful professors inspired me to teach English,” she said.
Jennifer Toriello ‘00/M.A. ‘06 is a legacy graduate of Caldwell University, following in the footsteps of her mother. Jennifer enjoyed the classes she took while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education and Master’s in Educational Administration, especially History and Structure of the English Language by Sister Brigid Brady, O.P. and being a part of the Scholars Program. She now works as an Adjunct Learner in the English Department teaching College Writing while working full time as Director of Language Arts in the Morris Hills Regional District.
Lynne (Giachetti ‘98) Machtemes chose Caldwell University for its strong academics and community, and its beautiful campus. Her favorite memories from her time as a student are from playing on the softball team and getting to live on campus with her friends and teammates. Lynne currently serves as the Athletic Compliance and Student Welfare Officer, where she oversees compliance with institutional, conference, and NCAA regulations in relation to student-athlete and institutional eligibility. When asked about returning to campus, Lynne said,
“I love being here. There are memories everywhere and now I get to help student-athletes play the sport they love while earning their college degree. It is a rewarding job.”
Joseph Testa, M.B.A. ‘20 chose to study at Caldwell University for its convenient location and after-work class options. The highlight of his time as a student was the connections he made with professors and getting to hear their stories.
“What really stands out is the small-class sizes. I enjoyed actually really connecting with my professors and they made a strong impact on my life, my career and my personal life as well. I still am very close to many of them, many years later. That speaks to the education and place Caldwell University is. And it inspired me to soon after graduation, explore teaching and give back to the next generation,” Joseph said.
He now works as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business and Computer Science, where he helps prepare his students for the professional world by teaching communication, resume, and networking skills and connecting them with mentors. Joseph remains dedicated to the university outside the classroom as well, serving on the Alumni Board of Directors.
Christina Kovacs ‘04/M.A. ‘09 was drawn to Caldwell University by the music program and the warm, friendly atmosphere on campus. Some of her best memories of her days as a student come from performing with the Music Department and her work study position in the mailroom. Christina now teaches English as an Adjunct Professor. She describes being back on campus as a professor as feeling “like I’m back home.”
Cara Pernas ‘10 was drawn to Caldwell University by the music program. She recalls auditioning for the program and appreciating “the fact the program was small and it felt immediately like a family, [I] wasn’t lost in a sea of talent. The educators cared so deeply about us, wanting us to be the absolute best versions of ourselves as people, as musicians, and as future educators.” Cara’s favotite memories from her time as a student come from performing with her classmates and taking part in the Opera and Musical Theater Workshops. She now teaches voice as an adjunct professor at the university, and is the owner of Awaken The Light, a reiki and vocal embodiment healing business.
Theresa Reboli ‘93 was drawn to Caldwell University by how warm and welcoming the community felt from her first interactions with admissions and faculty. “I knew I wanted to study in a place where I wasn’t just a number, but part of a community that truly cares about its students,” she recalls. That feeling persisted throughout her time as a student, treasuring the everyday moments with friends and classmates hanging out in the Student Center, bonding over late-night conversations, and spending time with friends that felt like family. Theresa was a very active student, playing for the softball team, taking part in Campus Ministry and the Sociology Club, and working as a peer mentor for Total Student Development and as The Roving Reporter for the university paper. She now works as a Sociology Instructor at Caldwell University. Reflecting on returning to campus, Theresa said,
“It feels really good… There’s something about being in a familiar environment, seeing the campus again, and feeling that sense of community that you just can’t get anywhere else. Being here reminds me why I chose Caldwell in the first place.”