Alumni & Friends

Contact Information

Kristen Gordon
Director of Alumni Relations
Institutional Advancement
Central Welcome Center
8608322587
kgordon1@ccsu.edu

Alumni News

Time to Stuff the Pantry

Non-credit programs at Central get the nod from NECHE

Campus community builds momentum toward a sustainable future

Central ranked among Forbes’ 500 Top American Colleges

Alumni Class Notes

Class Notes Archive

Todd Jones

Todd Jones '08

Todd Jones '08 published Plainville, Connecticut: A History (Arcadia) in May 2025. He holds degrees in History and Public History from Central and currently works in the Historic Preservation Office in Washington, D.C. The Historic Preservation Office is responsible for the planning, protection, and public outreach of the District's historic and cultural resources.

Corrianne Gagliardi Chipello

Corrianne Gagliardi Chipello '13

Corrianne Gagliardi Chipello '13 was recognized in 2025 as one of Hartford Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty honorees for her leadership as Executive Director & CEO of Hartford’s Camp Courant. Since 2020, she has guided the organization’s mission by expanding programs, leading successful fundraising initiatives, and ensuring access to enriching summer experiences for Hartford youth. Read more here

Robert Warner

Robert “Robb” Warner '78

Robert “Robb” Warner '78 was elected commander of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 17 in Manchester, CT. An Air Force veteran who served in Thailand during the Vietnam War. Robb has been an active member of the veteran community for decades - he is a 45-year member of the American Legion and a former commander of Hebron’s Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Veterans (AMVETS). He has also served his hometown as first selectman, tax collector, and secretary of the Conservation and Wetlands Commission.

Ron Luneau

Ron Luneau '89

Ron Luneau '89 has served on the Southern Connecticut Diamond Club Executive Board for 16 years. A longtime coach in the greater New Haven area, he has led both football and baseball programs for more than three decades, including head baseball coaching roles at Derby High School (1997–2003) and West Haven High School (2015–2022).

Garrett Walker

Garrett Walker '07

Garrett Walker '07 earned 12 varsity letters and six All-SWC honors in football, basketball and baseball at Foran High of Milford. He was twice all-state in baseball while playing for his father, Ken. Now the Lions’ football and baseball coach, he led Foran to the 2017 CIAC Class L championship.
Nora Mocarski

Nora Mocarski '99

Nora Mocarski '99 has been named the 2025 Connecticut History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. A longtime Social Studies Department Chair at Canton Middle/High School, she has maintained a 92% AP U.S. History pass rate over 16 years. Nora previously earned Canton’s District Teacher of the Year (2019–20) and the DAR “Outstanding Teacher of American History Award” (2014). Beyond the classroom, she serves on the Winchester Board of Education, has evaluated social studies programs, and has contributed to Connecticut's state standards.
Daniel A. Steiner

Daniel A. Steiner '21

Kahan Kerensky Capossela, LLP, announced the addition of Daniel A. Steiner '21, as associate attorney to the firm. Steiner will work in the firm’s Business Department. Daniel completed his law education at Western New England University School of Law, where he received a Transactional Law Certificate. Daniel successfully passed the July 2024 Bar Exam.
Kevin Harris

Kevin Harris '11

MahoneySabol of Glastonbury promoted Kevin Harris '11 to partner. As a partner, Harris will continue to oversee tax-related services, lead a team of tax professionals, and ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations for a diverse range of clients, including individuals, corporations, partnerships, and not-for-profits. Harris joined MahoneySabol in 2015 and is a member of the state and national societies of CPAs.
Gary Mullins

Gary Mullins '73

Gary Mullins '73, recently celebrated his 800th career win as the head coach of Turners Falls High School softball—a remarkable milestone in Massachusetts high school sports. Under his leadership, Turners Falls has become a powerhouse program.
Mary Lou Mayo

Mary Lou Mayo '84

At 100 years old, Mary Lou Mayo ’84 continues to inspire as she co-facilitates the "Friends for Older Adults" discussion group at the West Hartford Senior Center. A retired special education teacher with three master's degrees, Mayo fosters community and self-reflection among seniors, emphasizing the value of lifelong learning and shared experiences.
Kevin Ryan

Kevin Ryan '80

Kevin Ryan ’80 co-leads the "Friends for Older Adults" group alongside Mary Lou Mayo '84 at the West Hartford Senior Center. A dedicated advocate for lifelong learning, Ryan is currently enrolled in gerontology courses at Central Connecticut State University.
Sherma Rismay

Sherma Rismay '17

Sherma Rismay '17 is the founder of BluePrint Publishing and the creator of the first-ever, patent-pending Black American History Map—an educational resource linked to a digital archive of African American primary sources, artwork, and historical materials. Her initiative aims to integrate African American, and eventually Latino, narratives into the broader American story over the next five years.
Basic English Sounds for new readers cover

Joyce Bogdan '73

Joyce Bogdan ’73 has recently published a collection of educational books for early readers, including the Street Rhymes Series, Short Vowels and Basic English Sounds for New Readers. Designed to support phonics and vocabulary development, the series helps children build foundational literacy skills through engaging stories and activities. Joyce is also the author of several poetry books, including Enjoying Language through Poetry and Positive Power, Poems that Inspire! You can find some of her books here
Vanessa Rossitto

Vanessa Rossitto '92

Vanessa Rossitto ’92, CPA and Principal at CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), was honored with the inaugural CTCPA Impact Award by the Connecticut Society of CPAs. She was recognized for her leadership in advocating for legislative changes that improved reporting accuracy and reduced burdens for schools, municipalities, and auditors across the state.
Class of 2010 graphic

Marla Rubenstein '15

Marla Rubenstein ’15 established a Community Medical Fund at the Connecticut Veterinary Center in West Hartford, a 24/7 emergency clinic, to provide life-saving care for stray cats and dogs suffering from abuse, neglect, or abandonment across Connecticut. Thanks to this initiative, many animals have recovered and found homes through rescues such as CT Cat Connection, Protectors of Animals, and My Bella TNR.
Jessie Fong

Jessie Fong '17

Jessie Fong ’17 was recently named a 2025 Most Valuable Athletic Trainer of the Year by Training & Conditioning magazine, a prestigious national recognition celebrating her outstanding dedication and impact in the field of athletic training. A proud Central alum, Jessie earned her M.S. in Athletic Training in 2017 and returned to campus in 2024 to join the Sports Medicine Department as an Assistant Athletic Trainer. She now works closely with the Blue Devils’ football and lacrosse teams while also serving as a preceptor for CCSU’s graduate students in the athletic training program.
Nally Sahin

Nally Sahin ’17

Nally Sahin ’17 was named assistant director of Branford Parks, Recreation & Senior Services in June. Nally is the president-elect of the Connecticut Association of Physical Education, Health, Recreation and Dance and a cadre trainer for the Dove Self-Esteem Project. She also serves as vice president of health for the National Academy of Health and Physical Literacy Eastern Seaboard Region and chairs its Academy Community Engagement Committee.
David Lawler

David Lawler ’05

David Lawler ’05 was named managing director of technology advisory services at Baker Newman Noyes, a nationally recognized top 100 accounting and advisory firm. In this new leadership role, David will guide strategic business and technology consulting initiatives for clients across industries. He brings nearly two decades of experience in cybersecurity, systems engineering, and executive technology advising.
Pete DiStefano

Pete DiStefano '05

Pete DiStefano '05 was recognized as a 2025 Top Young Leader by Carolinas AGC (CAGC). Pete serves as director of operations at Crowder Construction’s Heavy Civil Division. The award honors rising leaders in the construction industry who exemplify excellence, integrity, and service to the community and the profession.
Ellie Lloyd

Ellie Lloyd '16

Ellie Lloyd '16 was named Windsor Public Schools’ 2025–26 Teacher of the Year. A dedicated K–5 art educator at John F. Kennedy and Poquonock Elementary Schools, Ellie is known for her creative, student-centered approach to teaching. Her passion for the arts and commitment to fostering meaningful engagement in the classroom have earned her multiple Teacher of the Year nominations.