Beyond The Tassel

Join Alex Csedrik, a 2008 DeSales University alum and Creative Writing Award winner, as he explores the intersection of professional success and artistic passion. A seasoned writer, former professor, and comedian, Alex brings unique insight into pursuing what you love while navigating career demands. In this episode, Alex dives into the importance of confidence, connecting with your audience, whet...

Take a journey with us as we unpack the meaning of faith-based leadership with DeSales alumni Guilherme and current Director of Campus Ministry at Newman University. In this week’s episode, we learn of the impact faith can have on the journey from college to career. In this episode, we uncover how faith shapes our search for meaning and purpose in our careers and how trusting in God’s plan can lea...

On this episode of Beyond The Tassel, we engage with Ramon Garcia, a graduate of the Sport and Exercise Physiology program from the class of ’21. One of the highlights from his journey at DeSales was his ability to merge his passion for helping others with his enthusiasm for exercise and strength training. Tune in to discover how he became a Clinical Exercise Physiologist for St. Luke’s Cardiopulm...

On this episode of Beyond The Tassel, we feature Chad Bruckner, Criminal Justice ’15, Masters in Digital Forensics ’20. His journey includes military service, law enforcement, and getting his degrees through the ACCESS (Adult Studies) program. After his time in the police force, he transitioned to entrepreneurship and motivational speaking. Now, he has gone full circle, joining the DSU Police Forc...

On this episode of Beyond The Tassel, we speak to Chris McGinnis, ’10 Musical Theater. Chris's passion for directing shaped his academic journey through both undergraduate and graduate studies, ultimately leading him to his current role as General Manager of Second Stage Theater. His pride in the theater's accomplishments shines through as he discusses their Tony Award-winning production of "Appro...

On this episode of Beyond The Tassel, we connect with Lauren Karch. She graduated in 2012 with a double B.S. in Marketing and Business Management, and a minor in Biology. Staying true to her love for the sciences, she combined everything into her career now as a Learning and Development Consultant for Organon. During her time at DeSales, she switched majors a few times. She is very happy with all...

On this episode of Beyond The Tassel, we chat with Daniel O’Connell, a personal injury attorney at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb in Philadelphia. He credits Professor Cocozza for sparking his interest in pursuing law school and to branch out of being a marketing and sports management major. Listen in to hear how family, sport, and values helped him to grow in his career!

On this episode of Beyond The Tassel, we go overseas to London to chat with Sean Crosby ’15. He grew up surrounded by the Diocese of Allentown and that led him to pursue his B.A. in Theology. After watching the documentary  Somm , he found a new calling. Listen in to how he became the Assistant Head Sommelier at Restaurant Story!

This episode of Beyond The Tassel features Frank Alvarado, ’17. After transferring from Northampton Community College, he graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration. He believes the resources at DeSales have helped him grow in his current job as the Director of Research and Data Management at the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. Listen to his journey and how he got to where he is! ht...

On this special episode of Beyond The Tassel, Nina interviews her parents, Anthony and Sheila Viglianti! Both of them started out wanting to do different things but ended up becoming teachers. Anthony teaches mathematics at Easton Area Middle School and Sheila teaches physics and chemistry at Whitehall High School. Listen in to how they both navigated being a student, figuring out the teaching sce...

This episode of Beyond the Tassel features Nakia Jones, who graduated from DeSales in ’09. She started out not knowing what she wanted. As she experienced DeSales, she pursued a B.A. in Dance and then went to graduate school to pursue Higher Education. Listen in as she speaks about her college life, background, family life, and all the special experiences that got her to where she is today as the...

This episode is features Doctor Sarah Hulse, Communication '09, who is now an Assistant Professor at DeSales University for the Theology Department. During her coursework at DeSales, a theology class caught her interest. After completing her internships at CBS in communication, she decided to chase a graduate then a Ph. D. in Theology. Listen in as she discusses following her passion that led to h...

On  this episode of Beyond the Tassel , we feature Haided Estevez, a member of the Sport & Exercise Physiology, class of 2018. Haided is now an injury prevention specialist at St Luke’s University Health Network, and is working as an industrial athletic trainer. She was set on becoming a physical therapist when entering her undergraduate program but as she explored the Sport and Exercise...

On this episode of Beyond the Tassel, we introduce (as a guest this time!) Annie Pagano! Annie completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing here at DeSales and has a job right out of graduation. She is now a Corporate Event Coordinator at Lutron Electronics. As a former Career Ambassador for the Career Development Center, Annie feels the knowledge she gained from working with students plus th...

On this episode of Beyond the Tassel, please welcome Jason Schiffer! Jason is a graduate of the DeSales class of 1999 with his degree in Criminal Justice. Jason is now the Assistant Vice President for Campus Safety and Chief of Police at Lehigh University. Jason has been educating himself for many years and has a firm belief that no education is ever wasted. Jason shares his insights about going b...

This month’s episode features Jasmine Leonor, a graduate of DeSales class of 2018 with her degree in Spanish and minor in Educational studies! Jasmine is currently the Spanish teacher at the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts. As a first generation college student, Jasmine had to learn first-hand how to navigate her way through higher education. From learning how to complete the FASFA...

Please welcome Joseph Freemont on today’s episode of Beyond the Tassel! Joe is a graduate of the class of 2021 as a Finance and Accounting double-major. Joe is currently employed at Legacy Planning Partners as a Financial Services Associate. During his time at DeSales, Joe was a Career Ambassador in the Career Development Center, and he received the 2021 Provincial Medal of Honor, an award to one...

JESSICA WATSON ‘15 On this episode of Beyond the Tassel meet Jessica Watson! Jessica completed her undergraduate degree in 2015 majoring in Sports and Exercise science, and she completed the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program in 2018. Jessica is now an Assistant Professor in the DPT Program here at DeSales University, and she also works per diem for St. Luke's Acute Rehabilitation and Lehigh Va...

On this episode of Beyond the Tassel our guest, Jennifer Abraham, discusses her journey from DeSales to her incoming role as the Assistant Director and Liaison to the College of Business for Lehigh University’s Center for Career and Professional Development in Bethlehem, PA. In May 2020, Jenn graduated from DeSales University with her Bachelor of Arts in History and her Social Studies Certificatio...

Today’s episode of Beyond the Tassel features Cynthia Cipoletti BSN, RN, CHPN from the DeSales graduating class of 2019. Cynthia is a nationally certified hospice and palliative care nurse, and she currently works for Hackensack Meridian Health in South Jersey. At DeSales, Cynthia studied nursing with a minor in psychology. Cynthia has recently published a book titled The Good, The Ugh, & The...

Today’s episode of Beyond the Tassel features Paul Vizza from the DeSales Class of 2016. Paul graduated with a double major in Human Resource Management and Business Administration. During his time at DeSales, he was involved in many student organizations. As a Career Ambassador in the Career Development Center, Paul discovered his passion for connecting people with their dream job. After beginnin...

Eliza is a Musical Theater and Communications double major, Class of 2011. She is now a Food Network "Chopped" Champion, a chef-entertainer, and a cheerleader for anyone who wants to learn how to feed themselves well. Chef Eliza's culinary adventures began in New York City, where she studied at the Institute of Culinary Education, worked tirelessly at the Rachael Ray Show, Saveur Magazine, and mul...

On this episode of Beyond the Tassel our guest Kyle Kromer, a DeSales nursing graduate from the class of 2014, tells about his career as a Flight Nurse for the Lehigh Valley Health Network. Kyle works in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, functions as a paramedic for Bally Community Ambulance, and he is commissioned in the United States Air Force Reserve as a Flight Nurse. Since graduating, Kyle has...

Today’s guest on Beyond the Tassel, Paige Matzerath, graduated from DeSales University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. She continued her education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) where she graduated in 2020 with her Master of Arts in Student Affairs in Higher Education. Currently, she is a Career Advisor for arts, creativity, and media at Colgate University. Paige teaches at...

On today’s episode of Beyond the Tassel our special guest is Kyle Langan from the DeSales class of 2010. He is an author and CEO of his media company KJL Media. Post graduation, Kyle traveled from Center Valley to the Hamptons to Los Angeles in pursuit of following his passion of storytelling, career as a writer, and social media consultant. Kyle was named Lifestyle Blogger of the Year by Trip Adv...