Seton Hill to Recognize Ten Distinguished Alumni During Alumni Weekend
Seton Hill University will recognize 10 outstanding alumni for their individual achievements, contributions to their industry or profession, service to their community and loyalty to the University at the Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony held as part of Alumni Weekend celebrations on June 6.
This year’s recipients include:
Anthony Palmiscno
Class of 2016
Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award for Young Alumni Achievement
When he started learning Spanish in 8th grade, Anthony Palmiscno saw more than a language: He found a field of study around which he could form a career.
After his Seton Hill graduation, Palmiscno accepted a Fulbright Program grant to teach in Spain, leading him to rethink how education functions across national and cultural contexts. His work has since focused on expanding access to high-quality, inclusive education at the intersection of teaching, technology, and curriculum design.
After completing his Ph.D. in Iberian Literary and Cultural Studies at The Ohio State University – where he was also an award-winning Graduate Teaching Associate - he worked as an Instructional Designer at Penn State University, leading the strategic development and project management of more than 30 online courses, leveraging data analytics and AI to increase instructional quality and efficiency, enhance learner engagement, and improve course delivery.
He is currently living in Madrid, Spain, working at Lingokids where he helps design research-aligned, globally distributed educational content for children.
Palmiscno is a frequent presenter in the academic community, committed to translating research and pedagogy into practical strategies that support both instructors and learners. He has also served as a mentor working to support high school students from underrepresented backgrounds.
David Girardi
MBA Class of 2013
Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award
David Girardi is entering his ninth season with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. During his time with the Chiefs, he has coached in five Super Bowls, including three-straight appearances and three victories. Girardi has worked with MVP Quarterback Patrick Mahomes each year since he became starter in 2018. Girardi has served as quarterbacks coach since 2023, helping Mahomes earn Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honors that season along with two Pro Bowl selections.
Girardi began his NFL career in 2018 working as an offensive quality control coach with Kansas City before being promoted to pass game analyst and assistant quarterbacks coach in 2021. Prior to breaking into the professional ranks, Girardi had stops at Lafayette College, Northwestern University and Geneva College.
Girardi earned his first coaching job at Seton Hill, where he worked as a graduate assistant for two seasons while completing his MBA. During his time with the Griffins, Girardi’s focus was on the secondary. Girardi played quarterback for Geneva College from 2007 to 2010, where he was a two-time captain, earned NCCAA All-American twice and led his team to a Victory Bowl in 2009.
Toshua Jarrett
Class of 2006
Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award for Military Service
Toshua Jarrett began her career at St. Anne Home in Greensburg, Pa. as the Director of Development and Public Relations where she coordinated fundraising and public relations efforts to support the organization’s charitable works.
After getting married, she and her husband joined the United States Army where she served as a Combat Medic/Team Supervisor providing guidance, direction, and development for 16 junior medics at the post Health Care Clinic, coordinating primary health care appointments and instructing basic lifesaving courses to more than 600 soldiers monthly for four years.
Upon leaving the military, Jarrett put her fundraising skills to use in service of veterans and has served as the Chief Development Officer of the Veterans Leadership Program, in Pittsburgh since 2014. In her role, Jarrett secures funding for her fellow veterans, providing them with essential services as they navigate their transition to civilian life.
She has been recognized for her work as a Western PA Rising Star and among the Pittsburgh Business Times Women of Influence.
Kate P. Shane-Carson
Class of 2001
Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award
For Kate Shane-Carson, Seton Hill was a foundation for her interests in science, leadership, and mentorship. She found great value in her involvement on campus and applied much of this experience to later roles.
Earning a master’s degree in genetic counseling joined her interests in using genetics outside of a laboratory setting and working with people both as a counselor and as a teacher.
As a pediatric genetic counselor at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, a vast change in testing technology showed her the importance of lifelong learning and being willing to adapt and change with new advancements. She co-authored and published her first paper and became involved with the National Society of Genetic Counselors.
She then transitioned to The Ohio State University as a cancer genetic counselor where she worked to expand patient access to care and assisted in developing a graduate program in genetic counseling.
In her current role as a clinical professor at OSU, her time is equally split between clinical care in cancer genetic counseling and education. Her dedication to teaching is reflected as a two-time award winner of the O-H-I-Omics Genetic Counseling Mentoring Award for excellence in teaching supervision, advising, mentorship, and service.
AJ Jefferson
Class of 1995
Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award
As President and CEO of the Homeless Children’s Education Fund, AJ Jefferson has expanded educational support for students experiencing homelessness by positioning the organization as a leading voice on youth homelessness in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Under her leadership, HCEF has grown from $1 million to $3 million, tripled its student reach from 400 to over 1,200, and is building infrastructure for long-term sustainability.
Jefferson is a keynote speaker sharing her lived experience of homelessness, resilience, and overcoming adversity. She has been recognized as a mentor, advocate, and leader, receiving many honors, including the C-Suite Award from the Pittsburgh Business Times, the Woman of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania, and the Laura Ditka Award for Advocacy from Cribs for Kids.
She launched several initiatives: Continuum of Programming Model, a longitudinal system supporting students from pre-K-24 with a 90% graduation rate; Winnie’s Wagon, a first-of-its-kind mobile educational unit delivering tutoring and wraparound services; and Teen CEO (Career Exploration Opportunity), a workforce program helping high school students explore career pathways.
Jefferson has elevated youth homelessness nationally on Good Morning America and The Kelly Clarkson Show and is proud of those who believe college, careers, and stability are within reach.
Karen Ponton Gorman
Class of 1986
Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award
Karen Ponton Gorman entered Seton Hill with thoughts of becoming a teacher and left on a path to law school. Her legal career includes private and public sector work.
Gorman is the Principal Deputy Special Counsel at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel in Washington, D.C., providing senior leadership of an independent agency protecting federal employees. In 2023, she was designated by President Biden to serve as Acting Special Counsel. She previously served as Deputy Chief Counsel for the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics.
Her son’s autism diagnosis led her to community advocacy. Gorman partnered with Children’s National Hospital to form a summer camp for autistic children, Brainy Camp’s Camp Connect, and helped shape a jobs preparation program for students receiving special education services in her local public school system. Gorman also served on a parent advisory committee at Children’s where she provided early feedback to researchers on a national curriculum for executive function support for autistic students. She currently serves as a member of the Research Review Committee at the Ivymount School in Rockville, Maryland, where her son attended, and was appointed last year to a three-year term as a Commissioner on the Commission on Aging in her county.
Janice Germy Sandrick
Class of 1976
Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award
Janice Germy Sandrick not only began her career studying dietetics at Seton Hill, she spent nearly four decades shaping the student experience for Setonians in the nutrition and dietetics program.
After graduating, Sandrick completed her dietetic internship at Mount Sinai Hospital and earned her master’s degree in nutrition from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Sandrick then came back to western Pennsylvania, working as a clinical dietitian at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh while beginning her doctoral studies.
She returned to Seton Hill in 1980 as a faculty member. Sandrick rose to the rank of associate professor in addition to serving as the program director for the Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics from 1986 until her retirement in 2018, receiving recognition as the University’s Professor of the Year during her tenure.
Sandrick also served as sub award principal investigator in the SHU Personal Empowerment Program, a $1.5 million multi-year cooperative research project with the Integrative Cardiac Health Project at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Sandrick, who also has a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Pittsburgh, was involved in professional associations and published research in her field. She earned the PA Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award and the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award from the American Dietetic Association, where she was active as a program reviewer.
Donna Germano Uhrinek
Class of 1976
Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award for Service
Donna Germano Uhrinek’s career in education began in the Seton Hill Child Development Center as a work study. She was inspired by watching the ways her mentor, Sister Grace Hartzog, interacted with children; how Sister Maurice McManama ensured the Psychology curriculum was rigorous; and the ways Dr. JoAnne Boyle managed both an accomplished career and a family.
In her decades as an elementary school teacher in the Greensburg Salem School District, she educated many generations of students and mentored new staff and student teachers. She was also an adjunct professor and student teacher supervisor at Seton Hill for a time.
Uhrinek has also contributed meaningfully to Seton Hill as an alumna. She served three terms on the Alumni Advisory Council and held the role of President, later being named one of the first Emeritus Members of the Alumni Council. She also served as Reunion Chair for the Class of 1976’s 40-year reunion and was a co-founder of the Alumni Book Club.
Helping others by volunteering is a hallmark of Uhrinek’s service. She has been involved in the Westmoreland County American Red Cross Advisory Board, Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensburg Central Catholic High School, United Way of Westmoreland County, and the Westmoreland Cultural Trust among others.
Colleen Hammon
Class of 1971
Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award for Service
Colleen McLaughlin Hammon has spent her life dedicated to the well-being of others, with a particular emphasis on the issues of mental health and homelessness in the Erie, Pa., community.
After graduating with a degree in psychology from Seton Hill, she pursued a master’s degree in counseling psychology at Gannon University. She started her career in case management, with an increasing focus on services for families, children, and adolescents. In her roles over 32 years, Colleen served as therapist, director, administrator and coordinator of various programs and projects in Case Management Support Services at Erie County Care Management, Inc., and later at the Erie Office Of Children And Youth.
In retirement, Colleen serves as a volunteer resource consultant and on numerous boards focused on mental health and eradicating homelessness, including the Home Team of Erie County and the Mental Health Association of Northwestern PA in addition to working directly with shelters and individuals, and on training and engagement with these populations.
She has been recognized for her work in the community, most recently as Erie’s Remarkable Woman – and as Remarkable Woman National Finalist – in 2023. She is active in St. Jude the Apostle Church in Erie and in her Catholic faith.
Mary-Ann Salvatore
Class of 1964
Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award
Mary-Ann K. Salvatore found a strong academic and spiritual foundation at Seton Hill. Her first path led to her marriage, children, and a career as an educator, teaching adult education at the State Home for Girls and later transitioning into specialized roles within the New Jersey Department of Corrections where she had a 22-year career, first serving as a learning disability specialist and culminating in her promotion to Assistant Principal for Education within the prison system.
As she approached retirement, she wanted to continue to help others and began volunteering in the United States office of the Mukti Mission, which serves children, women, and special needs residents through a variety of ministries in India. Two years after she began serving, the director asked when she would be traveling to the Mission. Since 1998, she has made 32 trips to India and fallen in love with the children and staff.
Salvatore was asked to help develop the Mission’s English-speaking school in 2003 and spent the next four years training teachers and developing curriculum. They have since built two additional school buildings and expanded their academic offerings. Salvatore has served on the Board of Directors of Mukti Mission US since 2008.