Career and College Conversations
This Spring, the Central Catholic Alumni Association and College Counseling is launching a series of live conversations between our alumni and our current student body. Career Conversations will focus on engaging our students with alumni who are making a difference in their professional fields. College Conversations will introduce our students to young alumni currently furthering their education on campuses around the country. All on-campus freshmen and sophomores will attend at least four of these amazing conversations, and they will also be available to the rest of the on-campus student body and the Central Catholic Community who are interested in joining us via Zoom.
Each conversation will have co-hosts and there will be interactive sessions where our guests will share pictures and videos, and our audience both on-campus and via Zoom will be able to ask questions. On-campus freshmen and sophomores will be assigned the meeting locations via Sign-Up Genius, and there will be additional spots for other interested students and staff to sign up as well for each session. Look for profiles of each conversation and Zoom links each week to participate in these amazing sessions.
Past Conversations
Career Conversations
Dani Klupenger '09
Professional Sports Broadcaster
Watch Zoom Recording
Kate Mead '07
Patent Attorney
Kate Mead '07 is an attorney who helps innovative companies and individuals patent their inventions. She was an academic standout in college where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering and a Juris Doctorate at the University of Washington. She currently resides in Seattle, Washington where she can be at the epicenter for worldwide technology and science development. She will be discussing careers in the tech industry and patent law, as well as her career path at the intersection of law and engineering.
Calvin Bair '07
Construction Manager
Calvin Bair ‘07 is a construction manager for large scale utility construction projects. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of San Diego, he worked in a variety of management and marketing roles for Not-for-profit and Non-Governmental organizations. He recently received his Masters of Business Administration from Chapman University. He is currently working for Anser Advisory, a project and construction management firm in Santa Ana, California. He will be discussing his current work developing new business opportunities in emerging energy construction trends like green buildings, electric vehicles and bus fleets, and electrical generation and transmission projects.
Madeline Martin '10
Madeline graduated from Central Catholic in 2010. While at Central Catholic she was a 4-year member of the women's basketball team, volunteered at Blanchet House and Special Olympics, and most importantly made life - long friendships! Madeline earned a scholarship to continue her basketball career at The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. She graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Merchandising. In Oct of 2015 she was hired by TRX Training as a Marketing Coordinator. Over the last six years Madeline has worked her way up the Marketing ladder and is currently a Product Marketing Manager. In her six years at TRX she has worked with almost every channel of marketing and every department within TRX. She's had the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of projects - from overall project management, to photoshoot and video production, to creating the go to market strategy for 20+ new products
College Conversations
Gabby Horne '18
University of Alabama
Gabby Horne '18 spent four meaningful years at Central Catholic where she was a leader in Student Council, Campus Ministry, Students4Students, Cross Country and more. After graduating, she took her talents to the University of Alabama. In Tuscaloosa, she has been a frequent member of the academic Dean's and President's lists and an officer for her Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She is currently double majoring in Advertising and Graphic Design. She currently works for the University of Alabama in their University Programs department doing graphic design and she is a member of Capstone Agency, the country’s largest student run advertising agency. She has loved her time expanding her horizons in the South with frequent trips to New Orleans, Atlanta, Memphis, and Destin. Gabby will be sharing her insight on life at a large university far from home and the value of a Central Catholic education.
Sarah Ferroggiaro '20
University of Oregon
Sarah Ferroggiaro ‘20 is a recent graduate from Central Catholic where she spent her years involved in student council, cross country, soccer, campus ministry, constitution team, and more. She is now at the University of Oregon, experiencing her freshman year amidst a pandemic. She is currently double majoring in Political Science and Journalism on a pre-law track. In the fall, she joined her sorority, Chi Omega, and also got involved in club soccer and volunteering for Camp Kesem. She has loved exploring Eugene and meeting new friends from all over the country. She has made the Dean’s list the past two terms and has learned so much and been challenged greatly by college academics. Sarah will be sharing the ways that Central Catholic prepared her for college academics and life and sharing her unique experience of starting college during a pandemic.
Elijah Crawford '18
Southern University and A&M College
Elijah Crawford ‘18 is a Junior at Southern University and A&M College; an HBCU located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he is majoring in Political Science with hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Public Policy. Crawford currently serves as the Vice President of the Southern University Pre-Law Society, using his leadership skills to help bridge the gap between undergraduate students and the Southern University Law Center. He is heavily committed to policy and criminal justice reform as it relates to the African American community. Due to his personal experiences with systemic racism and police brutality, along with the deeply rooted history of racist ideology that has plagued this nation from its inception, Crawford has a strong passion for reform and the social, political, and economic advancement of African Americans. When he is not reading about current events, Crawford enjoys volunteering in his community with local nonprofit organizations that focus on the guidance and mentorship of underserved youth in the inner city who sit in the same seats he once sat in. Crawford plans to pursue a career in public policy with a strong focus on the liberation of black lives while giving back to his community.
Jada Pierce '18
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Jada Pierce ‘18 was a standout student leader on campus at Central Catholic where she was active in Black Students United and a four year varsity member of the Track and Field team. After graduation, Jada accepted a track and field athletic scholarship to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Since making the move to Oahu, she has made the Dean’s List and competed in Division 1 indoor and outdoor track meets all three years. She has embraced the island culture and living 2,500 miles from home has taught her much about herself as a student and an athlete. She just completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology in only three years, and she intends to transfer next year for graduate school to get a Masters degree in school counseling or marriage and family therapy in the Fall.