Celebration 2023

 

 

 

 

 

College of Professional Studies

2023 School Celebration

Undergraduate & Graduate Celebration
Saturday, May 20, 2023
7:00 p.m. EDT
Charles E. Smith Center

GW Commencement on the National Mall - Sunday, May 21, 2023



Join Us for the Celebration Livestream

Saturday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m.

 

 

 


Celebration 2023 College of Professional Studies, graduates in caps and gowns
 

Celebration Program

Graduates, and their families and friends, are invited to download the 2023 program. You can view the PDF digitally and follow along with the ceremony, or print at home. 

Download Program (PDF)

 


What to Expect: 2023 School Celebration

Order of Exercises (program will run approximately 1.5 hours)

PROCESSION OF GRADUATES
Lead by Toni Marsh, Associate Professor and Program Director, Paralegal Studies and College Marshal


ACADEMIC PROCESSION
Mark S. Wrighton, President of the University 
Liesl Riddle, Dean and Faculty, Administration and Distinguished Guests


WELCOME
Dean Liesl Riddle and President Mark S. Wrighton


REMARKS BY DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER 
Lourdes Tiglao, 
Executive Director, Center for Women Veterans Department of Veterans Affairs


PRESENTATION OF AWARDS

Dr. Richard F. Southby Police Science Prize 
Presented by Jeff Delinski, Program Director, Homeland Security B.P.S. 
and Dr. Richard F. Southby, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Global Health

Founding Dean Arterton Award
Presented by Luis Raul Matos 
Program Director, Political Communication and Strategic Governance

Mark and Debbie Kennedy Frontiers of Freedom Award 
Presented by Todd Belt 
Program Director, Political Management

Undergraduate Distinguished Scholar 
Presented by Tierney Pitzer 
Program Director, Information Technology

Graduate Distinguished Scholar 
Presented by John Warren 
Program Director, Publishing

College of Professional Studies Faculty Excellence Award
Presented by John Warren 
Program Director, Publishing


STUDENT ADDRESS 
Kristian Maldonado 
Sustainable Urban Planning


PRESENTATION OF GRADUATES
Toni Marsh


CHARGE TO GRADUATES
Dean Liesl Riddle


ALMA MATER 
Marissa A. Works 
Strategic Public Relations 
 


RECESSIONAL
 

Presentation of Graduates

Bachelor’s Degree | Cybersecurity
Program Director Scott White

Bachelor’s Degree | Information Technology
Program Director Tierney Pitzer

Bachelor’s Degree | Homeland Security / Police and Security Studies
Program Director Jeff Delinksi

Master’s Degree | Cybersecurity Strategy and Information Management
Program Director Connie Uthoff

Master’s Degree | Homeland Security
Program Director Elaine Lammert

Master’s Degree | Legislative Affairs
Program Director Casey Burgat

Master’s Degree | Paralegal Studies
Program Director Toni Marsh

Master’s Degree | Political Communication and Strategic Governance
Program Director Luis Raul Matos

Master’s Degree | Political Management
Program Director Todd Belt

Master’s Degree | Publishing
Program Director John Warren

Master’s Degree | Strategic Public Relations
Program Director Larry Parnell

Master’s Degree | Sustainable Urban Planning
Program Director Sandra Whitehead

Ticket Information

Q: How many guests can each graduate bring to the CPS 2023 School Celebration? 

A: 
Each graduate is allowed to bring a maxiumum of eight (8) guests.


Q: How many guests can each graduate bring to the University-wide Commencement on the National Mall?

A: Each graduate is allowed to bring a maximum of six (6) guests.

More questions? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions or contact us for help. 


Distinguished Speaker 

Lourdes Tiglao

Ms. Lourdes Tiglao

Director, Center for Women Veterans, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
 

We are excited to welcome Ms. Lourdes Tiglao, a GW alumna and Biden appointee, as this year’s Distinguished Speaker addressing the Class of 2023 at our College’s Celebration on May 20. Graduates will be inspired by her professional story and unique mindset.

Currently the director of the Center for Women Veterans at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Lourdes is a U.S. Air Force veteran and an accomplished business, nonprofit management, advocacy and healthcare professional with extensive experience in leadership roles in the military, healthcare, nonprofit and tech sectors.
 

More information about Ms. Tiglao

 


Student Speaker 

Kristian Maldonado
 

 

 

Kristian Maldonado, M.P.S. '23

Derived from a multicultural Latino and LGBT+ background, Kristian Maldonado aspires to contribute to the betterment of global society through his work in urban planning. After completing his B.A. in Geography with minors in Political Science and Business Administration from the University of Nevada-Reno, he will be completing his M.P.S. in Sustainable Urban Planning at The George Washington University this summer.

Born in South Lake Tahoe, CA and raised in Reno, NV, his work towards developing sustainable solutions in transportation planning and community engagement have elevated communities of color in Washington, D.C. While working passionately to understand the needs of residents, he ultimately aims to bring equitable change to those who need it most.

Currently, he serves as President of the Sustainable Urban Planning Student Organization (SUPSO) and works as the Senior Administrative Assistant for the Office of the Dean at GW’s College of Professional Studies.
 

More information about Kristian

 


 Awards


More Information about the Awards and Awardees


 

Join Us on Social Media
#GWCommencement #CPSGrads2023

 


 

Distinguished Speaker

We are excited to welcome Ms. Lourdes Tiglao, a GW alumna and Biden appointee, as this year’s Distinguished Speaker addressing the Class of 2023 at our College’s Celebration on May 20. Graduates will be inspired by her professional story and unique mindset.

Currently the director of the Center for Women Veterans at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Lourdes is a U.S. Air Force veteran and an accomplished business, nonprofit management, advocacy and healthcare professional with extensive experience in leadership roles in the military, healthcare, nonprofit and tech sectors.

She builds relationships across nations, organizations, and various industry sectors and counts stakeholder management, analytical and organizational skills, and scrappiness as a part of her repertoire of talents.

Motivated and resourceful, she's drawn to mission driven organizations who also believe in making a positive impact in local communities & around the world. She brings her breadth of experience, skills and network to bear when helping to solve challenging problem sets, constantly redefining what's possible.

 

Ms. Lourdes Tiglao

Director, Center for Women Veterans, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
 

Lourdes Tiglao

Lourdes Tiglao assumed the duties as Director of the Center for Women Veterans on July 12, 2021, at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In this position, she serves as primary advisor to the Secretary on Department policies, programs and legislation that affect women Veterans.

In addition, she oversees the Center’s activities, which include monitoring and coordinating VA’s administration of health care, benefits, services and programs for women Veterans; serving as an advocate for cultural transformation (both within VA and in the general public) in recognizing the service and contributions of women Veterans and servicemembers; and raising awareness of the responsibility to treat women Veterans with dignity and respect.

Ms. Tiglao has a distinguished career as a leader and veteran advocate across various industries. Most recently, she was the Global Partnerships Manager at Airbnb’s Open Homes program, overseeing a globally distributed team and a portfolio of 70+ non-profit, private sector, and international aid agencies across six continents, focusing on strategy, standards and processes, and global partnerships, while also helping lead the Veterans Employee Resource Group (ERG)’s in engagement.

She served over 11 years in the U.S. Air Force where she was a member of the highly specialized Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) providing intensive medical care to critically wounded/ill service-members and the community. In her final assignment in Okinawa, she helped launch the very first Critical Care Medical Attendant Team (CCMAT) in the Pacific, which provided critical care medical evacuation services with an integrated team of Naval personnel as a joint force effort to serve the Pacific region. She transitioned into the humanitarian sector as part of Team Rubicon’s disaster response team, later becoming the Strategic Partnerships Officer for Team Rubicon Global.

Ms. Tiglao is a former member of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ MyVA Advisory Committee; a prior facilitator for UN OCHA’s PREP Course; a former board member of several veteran-focused organizations to improve service access for minority veterans and enhance their lives through the arts. Ms. Tiglao is also a Diversity in National Security Network and New America’s 2020 AAPI National Security & Foreign Policy Next Generation Leader, a Truman National Security Project Defense Council member, an AILA Leadership Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a board-certified respiratory care practitioner.

More information about Ms. Tiglao is available on her LinkedIn profile.


 

Awards

capline in blue with graduation hat
capline in blue with graduation hat

Dr. Richard F. Southby Police Science Prize

 

Olewinski HSBPS23
 

 

 

Recipient: Edward W. Olewinski III, Homeland Security B.P.S.

About the Award: Dr. Richard F. Southby was a faculty member at the George Washington University from 1979 to 2006, having served as department chair, associate dean, interim dean of the former School of Public Health and Health Services, distinguished professor of global health, and executive dean in the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Health Affairs. He was granted emeritus status by the Board of Trustees in 2006. Dr. Southby was the founding director of the Police Science Program in the College of Professional Studies.

The Dr. Richard F. Southby Police Science Prize is presented to an exceptional graduating student from the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Homeland Security/Police and Security Studies program. The prize was established by Dr. Southby’s wife, Dr. Janet R. Southby, Colonel, U.S. Army, Ret.

About the Awardee: Edward W. Olewinski III will earn a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Homeland Security from the College of Professional Studies with a perfect 4.0 GPA, summa cum laude, in May 2023. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management from the Driehaus College of Business at DePaul University in Chicago, IL, with a magna cum laude distinction. He holds an A.A.S. in Fire Science and Homeland Security from the College of DuPage.

Olewinski has gained practical experience in emergency management through his work as the current Director of Emergency Management for Maine Township, serving unincorporated Cook County, IL, and prior positions in the fire service and EMS. He is a certified Emergency Medical Technician, Firefighter I & II, and Hazardous Material Technician and has completed numerous professional development and continuing education courses. In addition to his work experience, Mr. Olewinski has volunteered his time to organizations such as the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the American Red Cross, and Team Rubicon. 

 

capline in blue with graduation hat

Founding Dean Arterton Award

 

Arterton Awardee 2023 Jorge Alderete
 

 

 

Recipient: Jorge Alderete Rodriguez, Political Communication and Strategic Governance

About the Award: The Founding Dean Arterton Award is given to the graduating student who epitomizes professional distinction and ethical conduct in political management.  F. Christopher Arterton, who served as dean of the Graduate School of Political Management from its founding in 1987 to 2010, established this award to celebrate the core ideals valued by a school of professional politics.

Before joining the GSPM, Professor Arterton taught political science at Yale, MIT, and Wellesley, achieving national recognition as a scholar of American politics and as a professional pollster. As the founding dean of the GSPM, Arterton advanced his vision that, beyond teaching abstract theory, institutions of higher education have an affirmative obligation to prepare their students for practical participation in democratic governance and electoral politics. In the process, Dean Arterton created the new academic discipline of political management. Having led the merger of the school into the George Washington University, Arterton subsequently expanded the school’s curriculum of political management to include programs in legislative affairs, strategic public relations, and the politics of governance. During the 23 years of Dean Arterton’s leadership, the GSPM emerged as the foremost academic institution of applied democratic politics in the world.

About the Awardee: Jorge Alderete Rodriguez is currently enrolled in the Political Communication and Governance Master’s program within the Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University. Jorge previously completed the Advancement Management Program for Human Resources at Georgetown and earned his MBA in Business Management at Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Brazil. Jorge currently works at the Itaipu Binacional Entity where he has served as the Assistant to the Paraguayan General Director since 2018. 

capline in blue with graduation hat

Mark and Debbie Kennedy Frontiers of Freedom Award

 

Victor Carvalho
 

 

 

Recipient: Victor Ramos de Carvalho, Political Management

About the Award: During his time leading the Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) from 2013 to 2016, the Honorable Mark Kennedy encouraged students to devote themselves to expanding the reach of freedom around the globe with the goal of making democracy work more effectively. The Mark and Debbie Kennedy Frontiers of Freedom Award recognizes the GSPM graduating student who best exhibits actions or preparations to promote or protect the expansion of political and economic freedom beyond the borders of the United States.

About the Awardee: As a Brazilian political consultant, Victor Ramos de Carvalho has worked in several campaigns at all levels, from mayoral to presidential, in his home country and abroad, most recently as a communications director. He has also served in local and state governments, after finishing his undergraduate studies at Universidade Católica de Pernambuco in 2006. As a graduate student at GSPM, he has dedicated most of his academic efforts to the study of political communications, the dynamics of public opinion, and the strengthening of democratic values.

capline in blue with graduation hat

Undergraduate Distinguished Scholar Award

 

UG Scholar Chen
 

 

 

Undergraduate Recipient: Meili Chen, Information Technology

About the Award: The College of Professional Studies Undergraduate Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes the undergraduate student who best demonstrates the college’s core competencies of strategic thinking, communication, collaboration, leadership, and ethics.

About the Awardee: During her time at GW, Meili served in several leadership roles in student clubs, including the WiCyS GW Student Chapter as e-board communication chair and GW International Students Association as director of graduate students’ services. Her interest in technology, particularly cybersecurity, started when she joined the WiCyS community, Women Who Code and Cyversity. Her motivation for pursuing cybersecurity comes from her desire to protect people and help them adopt security-aware behaviors.

Meili has demonstrated her collaboration skills by working with the GW School of Business and the GW School of Engineering and Applied Science. She attended The Engineers' Council meetings and other workshops, webinars, and has actively participated in various cybersecurity-related events. Meili's enthusiasm for learning and sharing knowledge has led her to enroll in the WiCyS mentorship program as both a mentor and a mentee. She is committed to contributing to the program and making a positive impact on others, helping them grow their skills and build confidence in the cyber field.

In her spare time, Meili enjoys spending time with her dog Mochi and exploring new cities and countries with her friends. She also enjoys trying out new home-cooked recipes.

capline in blue with graduation hat

Graduate Distinguished Scholar Award

 

Isabella Greene
 

 

 

Graduate Recipient: Isabella Greene, Publishing

About the Award: The College of Professional Studies Graduate Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes the graduate student who best demonstrates the college’s core competencies of strategic thinking, communication, collaboration, leadership, and ethics.

About the Awardee: Isabella Greene earned her M.P.S. in Publishing at George Washington University while working as a project manager at Pubvendo. She earned her B.A. in English from Boston College and remained in the Greater Boston Area, working as an editor and studying managerial strategy.  She recently founded an accessibility consulting firm, AbiliTEAM Consulting LLC, after witnessing the need for improved transparency and advocacy for chronic and invisible illness in the workplace. In her free time, she runs a mobile bookstore and is dog-mom to two Australian Shepherds—Miles and August. 

capline in blue with graduation hat

College of Professional Studies Faculty Excellence Award 

 

Dean Smith, Faculty Excellence Award
 

 

 

Recipient: Dean Smith, Publishing

About the Award: This honor is awarded to the part-time faculty member in the College of Professional Studies who has provided extraordinary service to the students and the college. The award recognizes both enlightened teaching and meritorious efforts to advance the college and its programs.

About the Awardee: Dean Smith is adjunct professor of publishing in the College of Professional Studies at George Washington University and the director of Duke University Press. He has served in leadership positions for scholarly, trade, professional and STM publishers and his career in the industry spans more than thirty years. Professor Smith is a published poet, author, and journalist. His books include two collections of poetry, Baltimore Sons (Stillhouse Press, 2021) and American Boy (WWPH, 2000). He is also the author of Never Easy, Never Pretty: A Fan, A City, A Championship Season (Temple University Press, 2013). A book inspired by a GW publishing student. Smith received an MFA in Poetry from Columbia University in 1989. One of his all-time favorite moments was doing a public talk with John Cleese.