Alumni Notes – Fall 2025

David Greenwald, B.A. ’73, Tularosa, NM, had a lengthy career working at various universities (Texas Tech, Arizona State, University of Colorado), private consulting firms and private/non-profits (Museum of Northern and Jornada Research Institute). He is currently the president of Jornada Research, where he continues to conduct archaeological investigations, lead overseas tours and is currently organizing the 2025 Archaeoastronomy and Celestial Geometry Conference in Ruidoso, NM. 

Bill Rowley, Ed.D. ’73, Fort Collins, CO, retired dean of the School of Education, Seattle Pacific University. 

Margaret Mizushima, B.A. ’74, Port Townsend, WA, released the latest installment of her award-winning Timber Creek K-9 Series, Dying Cry, on Oct. 14, 2025. 

Deb Kenny, B.S. ’75, Monument, CO, has been a nurse for almost 50 years now and still going strong. She served 24 years in the military and 25 years in various other positions. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and serve on the Military/Veteran and Bioethics expert panels. She will complete a doctorate in Bioethics next year, and was recently selected to serve on the board of directors for the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research. 

Roger Bryant, B.A. ’76, Suffolk, VA, retired from a full-time 26-year career as clinical psychologist, serving on active duty, GS, and contractor for U.S. Army and U.S Navy in Hawaii, Oklahoma and Virginia. “It has been an amazing career – meeting and serving incredible individuals who keep our country safe.” 

Martin Wojciechowski, D.A. ’81, Bozeman, MT, retired as professor and associate dean from Arizona State University (ASU) in 2024, after a 42-year career of research and teaching in plant and microbial biology at the University of Arizona, the University of California and ASU. 

David LeNoble, B.A. ’85, Broomfield, CO, retired after an amazing 30+ years teaching and working in education. It has been an honor and joy to teach since 1986. The best part is how UNC prepared me to jump right in and teach.  

Alton Dillard, B.A. ’86, Denver, CO, UNC Alumni Board member, celebrated 30 years in government communications. 

Philip Clifton, B.S. ’92, Pocatello, ID, retired from the Department of Veteran Affairs in 2018. 

Andrea Wieland, B.A. ’92, Brighton, CO, won the Rich Feller Leadership Award in 2022. This annual award honors Rich Feller for his outstanding dedication and service to the career development profession in the local, national and international arenas. The recipient of this award is recognized for making valuable contributions to the career development field and emulating Rich Feller’s service to others as mentor and colleague. 

Heidi Yewman, BAE ’92, Portland, OR, is a nationally recognized gun violence prevention advocate whose efforts grew out of personal trauma growing up in Colorado. Her forthcoming book, Dumb Girl, published Aug. 19, 2025, illustrates how healing and activism are deeply intertwined.  

Michael Younger, BAE ’92, M.A. ’03, Alvin, TX, retired in May 2021 after teaching high school and junior high school science for 29 years, including earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, ecology, paleontology, career education, and coached many chess teams. “UNC prepared me for my career remarkably well and was a safe and welcoming home for me for seven years as I earned a double major B.A. and later a M.A. 

Gretchen Schott, B.A. ’94, M.A. ’97, Fishers, IN, published the best-selling book Joy@Work: When Women Lead, an anthology that delves into the unique strengths and superpowers that women bring to the workplace. 

Brandy Ward, B.A. ’95, Otis, CO, won election for Washington County Commissioner District 2 in Colorado.  

Vicki Collet, M.A. ’98, Rogers, AR, was appointed co-editor of the journal, Literacy Research and Instruction, and named graduate program coordinator in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Arkansas. 

Matt Christiansen, B.A. ’01, Syracuse, UT, selected as the new director of Developmental Math at Weber State University. Matt previously worked in K-12 education as a high school teacher in Greeley, CO, and also as the K-12 math coordinator for the school district in Greeley. For much of his 23 years of experience in education, Matt has worked to provide curriculum and instructional materials and experiences for struggling learners, along with professional development for teachers and administrators throughout the United States. Through his professional experience Matt has collaborated with authors and researchers in the mathematics community, where he has learned to appreciate the value of data and research to guide instructional and curricular decisions. 

Douglas Owens, D.A. ’03, Norfolk, VA, became the chairperson of the Old Dominion University Department of Music in June 2016. He continues to teach undergraduate and graduate music education courses and directs the ODU Jazz Orchestra. 

Stephen Melton, B.A. ’06, Tahlequah, OK, is publishing a research paper outlining an important and potentially groundbreaking gravitational model for the matter-antimatter asymmetry and origins of dark matter. 

Cristóbal (Chris) Garcia, B.A. ’08, Evans, CO, was appointed to serve on the Aims Community College Board of Trustees in an interim role through November 2025. A proud Mexican American, first-generation college graduate, and lifelong northern Colorado resident, Chris is honored to support an institution deeply rooted in access and educational opportunity. He looks forward to contributing his leadership experience, community connections and student-centered perspective to continue serving students and families across the region.  

Christopher Redfearn, D.A. ’12, Jamestown, ND, was named dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Central Washington University. 

Nicholas Mancini, M.A. ’13, Englewood, CO, company was selected as the 2022 Startup of the Year through the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. 

Lacy Cleveland, Ph.D. ’14, Arvada, CO, was awarded Colorado Christian University’s 2025 Junior Faculty of the Year. 

Zach Herzog, B.S. ’15, Kirkland, WA, was ordained into the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Afterward, he will begin serving as associate pastor for Community Life at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Olympia, WA. “I’m grateful for the foundation my business education at UNC provided, which continues to inform my leadership, organization management and community-building in ministry.” 

Yvette Flores, B.A. ’17, Evans, CO, led the Mexican American History Project of Greeley, whose goal is to address the gaps in the recorded history of Greeley by documenting and sharing the stories of Mexican Americans who have contributed culturally, intellectually and economically to our city. As part of this effort, they interviewed 44 local residents across multiple generations, partnering with UNC Archives to transcribe and archive the oral histories for future use. The book will be distributed in both English and Spanish to all county schools, libraries, museums and community centers between late 2025 and early 2026. It will be one of the few Spanish-language resources offering insight into both the past and present of Greeley’s Mexican American community. 

Brandy Lynch, Ph.D. ’17, Lees Summit, MO, associate professor and program coordinator for Physical Education at the University of Central Missouri, was elected to the board of directors for SHAPE America — the Society of Health and Physical Educators. She also serves as president of the Missouri Society of Health and Physical Educators, where she leads statewide initiatives in advocacy, professional development and convention planning. 

Madeline Azari, B.A. ’18, Greeley, CO, was named the 2024 Intermountain Affiliate Advisor of the Year, an accolade that celebrates advisors who make meaningful contributions to communities through advising roles. Azari currently leads leadership programs within Residence Life at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her work was acknowledged on a regional scale, representing institutions across eight states and two Canadian provinces. The honor is especially significant as it came through the nominations of two of her students, underscoring the impact of Azari’s mentorship. Azari received official recognition for the award last month, solidifying her reputation as an outstanding leader and advisor in higher education. 

Ryan Gonzalez, B.S. ’18, Greeley, CO, was elected to the Colorado State House of Representatives, member of the Energy and Environment and Finance committees. 
George Blankley, B.A. ’19, Eugene, OR, graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law with a JD in 2025. 

Miranda Martino, M.A. ’19,  Ph.D. ’22, Kansas City, MO, was named as one of the University of Central Missouri’s 10 Under 40 for her work as a school psychologist.  

Tara Hobbs, B.S. ’20, Colorado Springs, CO, earned her Master of Science degree from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. 

Griffin Tendler, B.S. ’20, Henderson, NV, was named Las Vegas 40 Under 40 for 2025. 

Izze Woloson, UCERT ’21, Boulder, CO, made history in 2021 as the first person with Down syndrome to graduate from college in the state of Colorado. Since then, she has continued to redefine what inclusion looks like — living independently, working as a barista, life coach and disability rights advocate. This fall marks a special milestone: the 20th anniversary paperback release of My Friend Isabelle, the beloved children’s book written by her mother, 
Eliza Woloson, and inspired by Isabelle’s early friendship with a little boy named Charlie. For two decades, the award-winning book has been a steadfast resource for families and educators introducing young children to the concepts of kindness, difference and inclusion. The new edition features an afterword written by Isabelle, in which she reflects on what she’s learned since the book’s debut — how change happens through small, intentional choices made by people in power: deans, employers, politicians and parents who choose to take a chance, offer an opportunity or widen the circle of inclusion. Isabelle is deeply proud to be a UNC graduate and credits the university with playing a pivotal role in her life by giving her the same opportunity as everyone else: the chance to pursue a college education and earn her degree. 

Ashley Evans, B.S. ’22, South Salt Lake, UT, graduated from the University of Utah in May 2025, with a master’s degree in Atmospheric Science.