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Meet the 2024 JWU Alums Forging Inspiring Careers
As 2024 JWU alumni transition into the next chapters of their lives, they’re turning classroom lessons and hands-on experiences into dynamic careers across a range of industries. From graphic design to healthcare and advertising, these graduates are a testament to the power of strong academic programs paired with real-world learning and exemplify how JWU’s immersive education and supportive community prepared them for rewarding, impactful roles. Through faculty mentorship, career-focused programs, and an emphasis on collaboration, JWU has empowered these individuals to navigate their paths with confidence and enthusiasm. Each of these alumni carries unique memories and skills from JWU that continue to shape their journeys.
Cassidy N. Jacobus ’24
Physician Assistant Studies (MS)
Why did you choose JWU?
I’m originally from Long Island, New York, and I never thought I would attend a school in another state for a physician assistant program since I completed my undergraduate degree 20 minutes from home with my family by my side. Although it was a little scary, I was willing to pack up and move to Providence, Rhode Island. The Physician Assistant Studies program had so much to offer — supportive faculty, a great learning environment with its very own building, small class sizes for individualized attention and lots of amazing opportunities. All of this told me that I would receive the best education possible to become the confident and competent PA I always wanted to be.
What are you doing now?
Once I graduated from the PA program, I moved back home with my family to study for and take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). I recently found out that I passed and am now a certified PA! Now I am obtaining my license before I begin my first real job as an orthopedic surgery PA with Northwell Health. I am so very excited for this next chapter of my life as it is truly a dream come true. I’ve wanted to go into orthopedics since I was eight years old, when my four-year-old brother fell off his bicycle and broke his femur.
How did JWU help you get to where you are now, and how do you see it supporting your long-term career goals?
JWU helped me get to where I am now in every way possible. Without attending JWU's PA program, I would not have obtained the knowledge, skills, leadership qualities and confidence I have built for two years, helping me feel ready as a new PA graduate to begin my career and see my own patients.
Not only did I gain a plethora of information throughout the rigorous first year of school and didactic year, but I also worked with patients throughout the nine clinical rotations in the second year of school when we were put to the test to apply all that we had learned. My evidence-based medicine skills were also strengthened. All of this led to me believing in myself as a future collaborative practitioner who treats patients with respect, empathy and trust, which is inherent to patient-centered, humanistic healthcare.
What is your favorite JWU memory?
My favorite memory is our clinical year summative week, despite it being mildly nerve wracking at the time. It encompassed a 300-question mock boards exam (the end of curriculum exam), a final summative Obstructive Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) and a poster presentation of our master's projects, all within a three-day period. If you’re wondering, “how were these examinations and presentations your favorite JWU memory?,” it is because I was the proudest of myself at that time and saw the puzzle pieces coming together, knowing that all of my hard work, blood, sweat and tears were paying off. I remember seeing my patients during the final summative OSCE and feeling like a real practitioner and felt confident about what I was doing. It made me excited to enter the real world, start practicing and see my own real-life patients.
Is there anything else about your time at JWU that you’d like to share?
If you’re considering becoming a Wildcat for PA school, go for it. I had the most amazing experience, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Not only did I move away from home and my family for the for the first time, but I also entered a demanding program and became the PA I always dreamed of, with supportive classmates, faculty and new friends by my side.
Julia Shiels ’24
Graphic Design (BS)
Why did you choose JWU?
I chose to attend JWU because I was inspired by the Graphic Design program. No other university I toured had facilities as sophisticated as JWU’s. After meeting the professors, I knew I wanted to learn from them. I felt like a part of a community from the first time I toured the school during my junior year of high school, and I knew it was the place for me.
What are you doing now and do you have any future plans?
I’m an associate designer for Newell Brands, a top manufacturer, distributor and marketer of many consumer and commercial products for iconic companies such as Yankee Candle, Rubbermaid, Sharpie and many more. I work in the home fragrance division with Yankee Candle, WoodWick and Chesapeake Bay Candles. I work on various projects such as print and digital advertising material and label design.
How did JWU help you get to where you are now, and how do you see it supporting your long-term career goals?
My time at JWU set me up for success in this position. Before graduation, I was already working with clients inside and outside the classroom and developing an extensive portfolio. The graphic design curriculum is designed to resemble the real world, which has helped in my job to stay on top of deadlines and manage multiple projects. I learned many creative and professional skills at JWU, which not only helped me secure my position, but thrive in it.
What is your favorite JWU memory?
It’s hard to pick one favorite memory. During my four years there I participated in many on-campus events such as Six Flags trips, movie nights and Stuff-a-Plush. I was a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) Equestrian team all four years and was honored to compete with the team for the 2023 IHSA Zone Finals, where the team secured third place overall, making IHSA history for JWU. I made lifelong friendships and memories at JWU and am grateful for the opportunities JWU provided me.
Marshall Davis '24
Applied Food Science (BS)
Why did you choose JWU?
I chose JWU Charlotte because I had always dreamed of being a chef. You could even ask my family. I have had this dream since around the age of four. And I knew that going to JWU would be a great way to make that dream a reality. I also have a deep fondness for science, so I applied to the Applied Food Science program, which deepened my understanding not just of food on a more technical level but also how the food retail and commercial space operates.
How did JWU lead you to your next chapter?
I am now using the foundational knowledge I gained at JWU alongside my creativity by working as a junior product development chef for Archer-Daniel Midlands.
What is your favorite JWU memory?
My favorite memory at JWU is when I was working as a culinary assistant and had the opportunity to go to New York with my friends and colleagues including Associate Professor Soto-Sellers. We were there to take part in the annual New York Produce Show and Conference, and there was a friendly challenge between the Providence and Charlotte campuses.
Is there anything else about your time at JWU that you’d like to share? JWU is a great school and can set you apart from the rest, especially if you make use of the resources, valuable mentors and connections along the way.
Kaitlyn Delgado '24
Media & Communication (BS)
Why did you choose JWU?
I transferred to JWU during my second semester of my sophomore year from at a big university that was far from home and had large class sizes. I realized I wanted a more personalized education and to be closer to New York, my family and my friends. I also wanted to be in the heart of a historic city. After taking a tour of JWU’s Providence Campus with a member of the Collegiate Ambassador Team (CAT) and getting to know more about it, I realized it had a little bit of everything. The Downcity Campus was just the size I was looking for and has gorgeous architecture surrounding the beautiful campus. Also, Providence and surrounding towns have so much to offer — restaurants, scenic views and a ton of cool little stores. I knew I would never get bored in Providence!
On campus there are plenty of extracurricular activities, which was important to me because I was transferring into JWU in the middle of the school year and was eager to get involved, feel a sense of community and make new friends. I also felt like the faculty and staff truly cared about your success during your years at JWU and beyond. I really appreciated that the class sizes were small and that JWU required a for-credit internship to graduate. I got the sense that JWU was truly a “student first” type of institution and it sure was!
What are you doing now and do you have any future plans?
I am an account executive at Fingerpaint Group, specifically in the multicultural sector. Fingerpaint is a pharmaceutical advertising agency that specializes in creating ads for pharmaceutical companies to promote their products to potential and current patients. I work in producing multicultural ads and the majority of those are in Spanish. I get to work in two languages, which I love. Our assets are produced in English on the back end, during development, to ensure our clients and the FDA can properly review them, but our final product is released to the market in Spanish. My role is client facing, meaning I am the main point of contact with our clients. I listen to their wants and needs for products and then relay that information to my team. I manage many moving parts to make sure our products are delivered on time and on budget, FDA compliant and that our client is happy. I also communicate with ad agencies, media agencies, clients and our internal team daily. It is a very intricate job and I still have a lot to learn and discover about the role.
How did JWU help you get to where you are now?
JWU and its faculty played a huge role in how I got to where I am now. Although I was a Media & Communication major, I took several advertising electives that helped me gain the knowledge I needed for an entry-level advertising role. Having to complete an internship helped me gain professional experience that I might not have had without that push from JWU. But most importantly, my advertising professor, Associate Professor Elizabeth Carey, become my mentor. She has many years of experience in marketing and client-facing roles and gave me many tools and advice to succeed. She connected me with many people in the industry including some JWU alumni and helped me with applications and prepping for interviews. I truly owe it all to her. She helped me get my foot in the door by connecting me with an alum who works at Fingerpaint whom I met with, reviewed my résumé and then felt comfortable giving me a referral.
Do you see JWU as being supportive of your long-term career goals?
Associate Professor Carey and many other professors I had truly put their students first and care about their students’ success even after they graduate. I do see JWU and its faculty assisting me with my career for the long-term, and part of that is having strong networking opportunities within the alumni network. If I ever want to pivot my career, I know I will be supported through my JWU connections.
What is your favorite JWU memory?
My favorite memories at JWU revolve around my involvement in the Panhellenic Sorority, Sigma Delta Tau! I love and cherish my time as a sister of Sig Delt and held three executive board positions while a member. Sig Delt gave me a sisterhood and a community that I needed as a transfer student. I loved being involved and planning so many fun events. It also gave me the opportunity to build my résumé further. There hasn’t been one job interview I’ve had where they didn’t ask questions about my executive board roles. Getting involved on campus, with Greek life or any other club, opens many doors and gives you the opportunity to have a stellar résumé.
Is there anything else about your time at JWU that you’d like to share?
Through JWU’s work study program, I worked at the Providence Animal Rescue League (PARL), and it was a wonderful experience. I am a huge animal lover and have worked with animals in the past, so I was over the moon when I saw JWU had off-campus work study opportunities. I was even able to adopt my dream cats — two 8-month-old Sphynx kittens who are the light of my life and now live with me, my family and my dogs back in New York. There are so many aspects of JWU that made my college experience great.
Noemi Alexander '24
Restaurant Food & Beverage Management (BS)
Why did you choose JWU?
I picked JWU because the program was great. I researched many schools and felt that JWU’s Restaurant Food & Beverage Management program (explore our similar Food & Beverage Industry Management or Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship programs) was the best match for my abilities and would position me to succeed in my career. The online program also worked around my schedule which was perfect for me.
How did JWU help you get to your next chapter and how do you see it supporting your long-term career goals?
JWU led to my next chapter because it helped me become “unstuck” in my life. I want to make a difference, and I am now in the process of starting projects that will help expand my life, my future career and my community.
What was your journey to JWU like?
Going to JWU was a path I needed to take and complete. I focused on advancing my education to have better choices in the future. JWU helped me because it was a journey that I took to get out of my comfort zone. It helped me to be a stronger person and set goals for the future.
What are you doing now, and do you have any future plans?
I am currently working as a general manger and chef at Yacky Shack, a Korean fusion restaurant here in my hometown of Muscatine, Iowa. I am running this establishment and I hope to continue to do this for the next few years. I am also a part-time chef at another establishment, Salvatore’s Original, also in Muscatine, where I began working when I was 16.
I am happy that my accomplishments at JWU are now helping me advance my career. I enjoy teaching the younger generation, and I’ve learned to help them better understand the business side of the industry rather than just seeing it as a job — this gives me a sense of purpose at both of the establishments I work for. When I am not working, I find time to do relaxing things with my kids.
Emma Lipinski '24
Psychology (BS)
What was your JWU journey like?
I began my journey at Johnson & Wales University in the Fall of 2021 after I took a gap year after graduating high school amid the pandemic.
From the moment I arrived, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging; JWU quickly became my home. It was a safe space where I could explore my identity and personality. I embraced life as a Wildcat so wholeheartedly that I chose to stay year-round, balancing work and classes. As a student I experienced transformative personal growth, gained insights about the world around me and discovered new passions through my job on campus and my coursework. Thanks to support from JWU's incredible staff and faculty I earned my B.S. in Psychology in just three years.
Why did you choose JWU?
I chose Johnson & Wales for its unique atmosphere and hands-on curriculum. As a New England native, I wanted to stay close to home while gaining independence. Though I initially planned to visit home frequently, I found myself immersed in college life and barely went back after my first semester. One of the highlights was JWU's pet-friendly policy, which allowed me to bring my cat Matilda, which added a comforting piece of home on campus. I fell in love with the vibrant city of Providence and the charm of a campus that was intermingled with it. The opportunity to join the equine team also attracted me, as I wanted to continue riding in college. During my campus tour, I was drawn to the small class sizes that promised meaningful connections with peers and faculty, along with the perk of a four-day academic week that allowed more time for work and social experiences. As someone who learns best in a hands-on environment, I knew that JWU’s discussion-based learning would be a perfect fit for me.
What are you doing now, and do you have any future plans?
I am excited to share that I am a recruitment events coordinator for the School of Professional Studies at Brown University. JWU equipped me for this role by instilling professionalism in me and preparing me for the workforce. I regularly apply skills that I gained during my Career Management course at JWU, especially in networking and stakeholder communication. My psychology and counseling classes provided me with valuable insights into human behavior and helped me develop strong interpersonal skills that benefit me in every aspect of my life. However, the most impactful experiences came from my work on campus as an orientation leader and lead ambassador for Undergraduate Admissions under Christine Sullivan. Her mentorship and belief in my potential ignited my passion for event planning in higher education. I still carry the business card she made for us as a reminder of the importance of excellent customer service and hospitality standards.
What is your favorite JWU memory?
Some of my favorite memories come from working on campus with my fellow CAT members who became my second family and lifelong friends. I also loved connecting with prospective and incoming students during various events. It was incredibly rewarding to witness their journeys, from their first campus tour to welcoming them at Accepted Students Day. These experiences brought me so much joy and solidified my commitment to fostering the community at JWU!
Tell Us Your Story
The journey from student to professional is both exciting and challenging, and JWU alumni are seizing their moments. If you’re a JWU alum, we’d love to hear what you’re doing now and how JWU helped you get there by filling out the JWU Alumni Class Notes form.
