Salve Regina is celebrating current employees who graduated with degrees in 2022 during May’s Commencement ceremonies.

Five employees are being honored for their accomplishments in 2022. Working and going to school is no easy task — especially during a pandemic. The University acknowledges the hard work it took to complete degrees on top of working and giving back to the Salve Regina community during this unique time in the world’s history.

2022 employee degree recipients

Garret Aube – media support/systems specialist for the Office of Information Technology

Aube ’22 received a bachelor’s in financial management. He will continue his studies at Salve Regina, completing the MBA program while working full-time for the University’s IT department. He also hopes to continue with an internship at AlphaCentric Funds – the first actively managed mutual fund dedicated to robotics and automation – in Barrington, Rhode Island.

While attending Salve Regina, Aube participated in men’s rugby, Options Trading Club and Enactus. These organizations provided incredible opportunities, including being able to help establish a Vietnam War memorial.

Kaitlyn Brilhante – coordinator for the Office of Community Engagement and Service

Brilhante ’21, (MBA) ’22 has completed her MBA with a concentration in cybersecurity and intelligence, as well as a certificate in cybersecurity and intelligence. She is also currently pursuing her second master’s degree in administration of justice and homeland security with a cybersecurity concentration and digital forensics certificate.

“After completing my bachelor’s in business administration early at Salve Regina, I began to pursue my MBA while I was still an undergrad to enable for me to enhance and progress my education as efficiently as I could given the opportunity available,” she said.

Eventually, Brilhante hopes to obtain a job within the cyber security or administration of justice industry. She then hopes to someday establish her own business.

“My parents have emulated the true example of love and the moral value of working for what you have in life,” she said. “They have taught both my twin sisters and I the value of working for things on your own and being independent …. In particular, my twin sisters Anne-Marie and Elizabeth, both members of the Class of 2022, have shared in the same Salve experiences of service and extracurriculars, where our sisterly bond has strengthened and been enriched.”

Michelle Caron – security officer/EMT/dog handler in the Office of Safety and Security

Caron (MS) ’22 has completed a master’s degree in innovation and strategic management in three years. She chose this program because she believes the knowledge and skills of innovation can be applied to any organization — from a small business to a large university.

“I loved that the faculty encouraged me to use my creativity in many of the program’s classes,” she said. “There were never any right or wrong answers, but we were encouraged to explore our own thoughts and beliefs and apply them to what we were learning.”

Caron is especially grateful for the support of Dr. Myra Edelstein, associate professor in business and economics.

“In each course, we shared our progress in developing our projects with other students. These projects can be applied to our real-life careers,” she explained. “I received amazing feedback and ideas from my classmates that made each of my final projects so much better than if I had done it on my own. I learned the positive impact good teamwork can have on any organization.”

Corinne Hughes – head coach of women’s basketball

 

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It took five years for Hughes (MS) ’22 to complete her master’s degree in strategic innovation and management, but it was worth it. She believes that obtaining this degree will help broaden her career options for the future — as Hughes plans to someday leave coaching.

“I just enjoy learning new things,” she said. “And after being out of the classroom as a student for decades, it was nice to be back.”

Hughes would like to give particular thanks to Dr. Edelstein and Dr. Arlene Nicholas, professor in business and economics, for their mentorship and guidance. She also wants to thank her wife for her love and support.

Zakary Pereira – assistant director of admissions, coordinator of on-campus events & transfer admissions

Pereira (MBA) ’22 received a master’s in business administration — all while working full time at Salve Regina and running for office as a Rhode Island State Representative.

“I was drawn to this degree because of the versatility of what can be done with it, but also because it has helped me understand business fundamentals that I did not learn in my liberal arts undergrad,” he said.

Pereira enjoyed the real-life problems and the themes of mercy and compassion that were incorporated into every class and assignment. He also believes that the professors were very helpful, accommodating and always available.

“I am currently running for State Representative for District 22 in Warwick, Rhode Island, and plan to use this degree and the skills I have learned to better my community and the whole state of Rhode Island,” he said.

Pereira thanked Dr. Jennifer Bonoff, assistant professor in business and economics, and Samual Sacco, lecturer in business and economics. His is also grateful for his colleagues in the Office of Admissions for supporting him through all of the ups and downs of the past two years.

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