Introducing the Alumni Outreach Committee

We are excited to announce the formation of the Alumni Outreach Committee! Composed solely of Chapman alumni, the committee’s goal is to be a sounding board for alumni across the country and around the world. Some of the committee’s plans thus far include a new Instagram account geared specifically to alumni and engaging blog posts about everything from Chapman Sweethearts to highlighting the accomplishments of individual alumni. Any alumna or alumnus can participate; close proximity to campus is not required.

If you want to get more involved with Chapman and share your voice, contact Ariana Burris (JD ’09), committee chair, at
arianaburris@gmail.com.

Meet the Committee

Ariana Burris, Chair

Ariana Buris (JD ’09)

Graduation year and degree:
 JD ’09

Current city:
Cowan Heights, CA

Occupation:
Attorney

Favorite class at Chapman:
Constitutional Law with Professor Celestine McConville. She taught me so much about so many hot topics!

Why I give back to Chapman:
Chapman has truly shaped me as a person. I met many of my close friends and my husband while in school and consequently decided to make California my home. I want to share the benefits of being an alumna with a broader group of alumni and also help the next generation of alumni become excited about giving back.

Rachel Vaccariello

Rachel Vaccariello ’09

Graduation year and degree:
 B.A. communication studies ’09

Current City:
Denver, CO

Occupation:
E-communications coordinator with the Alumni Association of the University of Colorado-Boulder

Favorite Chapman memory:
New Student Orientation – I was involved with orientation as an assistant and coordinator and it was amazing! As someone who came to Chapman from out of state, it was welcoming to have a group of current students there to help with the transition.

Why I give back to Chapman:
I want to give back to my alma mater because Chapman helped shape me into the person I am today. I met wonderful professors, staff and friends that served as role models and inspirations to me while I was at Chapman and they have continued to be a supportive presence long after my graduation. I even met my fiance at Chapman! Since graduating, I have assisted with several admissions events in Colorado and it is rewarding to extend my experience at Chapman to people who are just about to begin their college journey.

Ryan Robinson

Ryan Robinson ’12

Graduation year and degree:
 B.S. business administration ’12

Current city:
San Francisco, CA

Occupation:
Marketing manager at popexpert.com

Favorite class at Chapman:
Internet Marketing with Niklas Myhr

Why I give back to Chapman:
I want to give back because of the incredible generosity that I was shown through scholarships, opportunities and extremely talented professors.

Mary Ellen Barnes

Mary Ellen Barnes ’50

Graduation year and degree: 
B.A. English ’50

Current city:
Tucson, AZ

Occupation:
Mother of three, grandmother of two and writer

Favorite Chapman memory:
Serenading the boy’s dorm

Why I give back to Chapman:
It was the best life influence in my formative years.

Justin Poulsen

Justin Poulsen ’14

Graduation year and degree:
 BFA film production ’14

Current city:
Los Angeles, CA

Occupation:
Assistant to Worldwide Servicing at Lionsgate Entertainment

Favorite Chapman memory:
During finals week of my freshman fall semester, my friends and I took an unscheduled, late night trip to the mountains to see the snow falling before Christmas. We brought some back to campus with us in a pick-up truck and dumped it in front of the dorm. Most of it melted by morning, but I did see a few confused people making snowballs the next morning.

Why I give back to Chapman:
I had many people help me on my path to graduation, from friends and family to professors and alumni. I am thankful for those who were there for me and recognize that now it’s my turn to give back and to stay involved. I am proud of my time at Chapman and I’m eager to see the school and the student body continue to grow and succeed. As an alumnus, I am part of a much larger group of people who share a common, yet personal experience. I want to embrace that community and help foster an environment that future members can find both welcoming and helpful.

Shannon McKemie

Shannon McKemie ’01

Graduation year and degree: 
B.A. European history ’01

Current city:
Frisco, TX

Occupation:
Enrollment support specialist in the Office of Admission and Enrollment at the University of Texas, Dallas

Favorite classes:
My three favorite Chapman classes were the Holocaust classes under Dr. Marilyn Harran’s guidance, Native American Law and Society taught by Dr. Ronald Steiner, and Russian History taught by Dr. William Cumiford. They were also my three favorite professors.

Why I give back to Chapman:
I want to give back to my alma mater because the university has played a part not only in my completion of my bachelor’s degree, but I also began my career in higher education there from 2005 to 2007. I forged lifelong friendships during my time at Chapman and it was a stepping stone for professional growth with higher education.

Emily Pizanie

Emily Pizanie ’13

Graduation year and degree: 
B.A. public relations and advertising ’13

Current city:
Anaheim, CA

Occupation:
Social media coordinator with Dell

Favorite Chapman memory:
My favorite Chapman memory was working in the Academic Advising Center. I absolutely loved working with my peers to help them get to graduation.

Why I give back to Chapman:
I want to give back to my alma mater because it’s the right thing to do. Chapman accounts for a good portion of my success in my career thus far and I would not be the person I am today without my time there. I want to help future alumni make the most of their experience after Chapman.