Alumni Board
花椒直播 Alumni Board of Directors
The Alumni Association Board of Directors is the pinnacle of volunteer leadership within the 花椒直播.
They work with the Alumni Relations Manager and the University Advancement team to create programs which are supportive of and consistent with the values and vision of the university.
Board members are selected from current volunteers or otherwise active 花椒直播 Alumni (defined as having successfully completed at least 12 credit hours at Saint Mary).
Responsibilities of Board Membership
- Attend 3-4 meetings each year in person or via tele/video conference
- Serve on and/or chair at least one Alumni Board committee
- Attend and/or participate in university-sponsored events
- Identify and/or introduce potential new alumni volunteers to the activities of the association
- Identify and/or introduce new giving prospects to the university鈥檚 development staff
- Participate in the annual fund (unrestricted) through a giving society at a level which they are financially comfortable
- Commit to serve a three-year term. Terms are flexible and members are eligible to serve for more than three years.
- Commit to attend as many committee and board meetings as possible. Committees meet at least two-three times per year, while the full Alumni Board meets quarterly (four times per year).
- Commit to serve as an advocate and ambassador for the university
- Commit to support the university with your time, expertise, and finances on an annual basis by joining a giving society at a level which they are financially comfortable
- Commit to be involved in the life of the university and visit the campus as often as possible
Estimated Time Commitment: 5-10 hours per month, depending on the activity or initiative
Meet the Alumni Board
Cenyeaa Williams, U鈥�17
President
Cenyeaa Williams, M.S.E, is a 2017 花椒直播 graduate with a degree in marketing and minor in theology. While at USM, she served as a Campus Ministry work-study, resident assistant, Black Student Union VP, Vincentian Leader, Theology Club president, senior senator, and Spiro. Cenyeaa currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri, and works for AmeriCorps VISTA as the Footprints, Inc. VISTA Project Supervisor. AmeriCorps works to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. In addition to AmeriCorps, Cenyeaa serves as the outreach and partnership development coordinator for DAVE鈥檚 Place Community Impact Center. She is also the outreach coordinator for her church, Memorial Church International, serving the Ruskin Heights/Hickman Mills community.
Wes Henning, U鈥�13
Vice President
Wes Henning is a 2013 USM graduate with a degree in accounting. He currently lives in Perry, Kansas, and works as the Market President for First State Bank in Trust specializing in commercial and ag lending. Wes is married to his wife, Mariah Henning (USM alum, C鈥�13, DPT鈥�17), and has two daughters, Emerson and Hadley. In Wes鈥� spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, watching sports (Chiefs and Jayhawks), volunteering for various civic organizations, and traveling.
Lisa Ingraham Costello, C鈥�94 
Lisa was a transfer student from KCK to KU and then to 花椒直播. She was part of student government and editor of the Literary Magazine. She met her husband, James, at college and, much to the relief of her family, finally graduated. After graduation, she got into insurance and risk management, where she worked for 25+ years, mostly for large companies. She has served on Parish Council and the Hillcrest Board. She finds herself back in school to polish her data analytics skills and learn a bit about AI and Machine Learning.
Nicole DeSimone, U鈥�17
Nicki graduated from the 花椒直播 in 2017 with her BA in psychology. She was also on the USM softball team from 2013-2017 and in 2017, and was on the KCAC Honorable Mention Team. Nicki now works for a nonprofit in Denver, Colorado, that serves severely abused and neglected children in their Day Treatment program as an administrator. Joining the USM Alumni Board offers a unique opportunity to stay deeply connected with her alma mater, fostering a sense of community and shared identity. Being on the USM Alumni Board is not just about nostalgia; it's a chance to be a part of the ongoing story of our alma mater and make a lasting impact on its legacy.
Celina M. Peterson Gerling, C鈥�91 
Events Committee Chair
Celina Gerling is a 1991 graduate of 花椒直播 College. She found her way to Saint Mary following the footsteps of her mom, C鈥�67 and aunt, C鈥�79. Celina obtained a Bachelor鈥檚 degrees in human services-management and delivery. She still lives in her hometown of Olathe, Kansas. Celina has volunteered at Catholic charities, Starfish Project, participated in the church choir, and taught religious education. Her first job is a mom to her adult children, their friends, honorary grand-babies and any one that needs some extra love. Celina has helped her own kids (2019 USM grad, current Rasmussen Nursing student, and current UMKC student) through college and 鈥渁dopted鈥� a USM student and helped him to realize his desire to be the first in his family to graduate college. She has spent most of her time recently as caregiver and advocate for her special needs daughter, her in-laws, and currently her dad. Celina is the Office Manager for a sign company (Luminous Neon) located in Olathe.
Elizabeth Conroy Jones, C鈥�88
Beth鈥檚 time at 花椒直播 College was wonderful, and she can attribute that to the many fantastic women she met. Along with being a high school Family Consumer Science teacher, she has stayed active in her community doing many volunteer activities to give back. Her students have competed at the state level and seeing them develop into strong community members makes all the extra hours she puts into my job worth it. She has been on the water utility district board where she lives for three years, as one of the five directors. In this role, she cared for eight parks, planned events, and developed a 5-year park plan for the community. She also volunteers with Meals on Wheels, an organization that delivers food to the poor and elderly. When she became a mom, she saw the need at her parish to develop a mother鈥檚 program for not only the mothers but the children. The program gives everyone structure and an opportunity to learn more about their faith. This program is still going strong after 19 years. Along with this initial program, she also started moms鈥� programs at other catholic churches. She is presently the director of Our Kids at Heart, which is a nonprofit 501 C3. Each year, she raises close to $1 million to help the poorest children in central Texas receive a Catholic education.
Domonique Kettler, U鈥�17
Nominating Committee Chair
Domonique Kettler, MBA, graduated from the 花椒直播 with her accounting degree. While at USM, Domonique was a part of the campus activities board, student government association, a resident assistant to her fellow peers, a softball player, helped athletic training with all major sporting events, and started the Black Student Union while serving as president. Domonique is working 9-5 as an accountant but also attending to clients through her business Kettler Accounting LLC.
Cindi Lamas, C鈥�82
Secretary, Awards & Scholarship Committee Chair
Cindi Lamas is a 1982 花椒直播 College graduate with a degree in biology. Her post-graduate studies include Clinical Laboratory Scientist, BA in Spanish and Bachelor's of Education K-12. She teaches RCIA Kindergarten at St. James Parish in Liberty, Missouri. In her spare time, Cindi volunteers as an interpreter for a Guatemalan team that builds churches and develops a partnership with a Guatemalan school.
Olivia Robinson, C鈥�96
Development Committee Chair
Olivia Robinson graduated from 花椒直播 in 1996 with majors is political science and history and minors in theatre and English. She has spent over 20 years working in politics and government in Washington state and currently serves in government relations for King County. In her spare time, she is involved in local theatre and enjoys running, yoga, movies, reading, and exploring Washington鈥檚 wine industry. She lives in Seattle with her longtime boyfriend, Blair, and two very intense cats.
Dr. Alexandria Bartles Supple, U鈥�15
Alexandria completed her undergraduate degree at USM, studying English, secondary education, and philosophy. She was a member of the soccer team, cheerleading squad, and English Club. After graduation, Alexandria began her career in education as a teacher and coach, completed her Masters in School Leadership at Benedictine College, entered into educational administration, and earned her Educational Doctorate through the University of Kansas. Alexandria presently serves as an athletic director/assistant principal at Turner High School in Kansas City and lives in Merriam with her husband and two children. Alexandria鈥檚 four years at USM were some of the most impactful of her life thanks to amazing educators like Sister Susan Rieke and Dr. Jill Hebert. Serving on the Alumni Board is an opportunity to pay forward the love and investment of her professors while contributing to the 花椒直播 community.
Luke Taylor, Current Student
Recruitment and Retention Committee Chair
Committees
There are many ways to show your Spire pride by getting involved in an alumni committee. If you would like to join a committee, please email alumni@stmary.edu
- This committee supports engagement programs anchored around USM Athletics, including regional game watch parties and milestone gatherings
- Complete your profile to indicate your willingness to mentor students
- Join the Spire Athletics Booster Club and invite a former student-athlete to join
- Follow USM Athletics on social media and sports-specific sub groups
- Support student-athletes by attending athletic events and any athletics awards
Chair: Cindi Lamas, C鈥�82
- Solicit, compile, and submit nominations for annual alumni awards in accordance with the association's policies and procedures
- Create new awards or other forms of alumni recognition
- Choose annual scholarship award recipients, if any general alumni scholarships are available
Chair: Liv Robinson, C鈥�96
- Work with all board members, to plan and execute fundraising and friend-raising events. Determine board fundraising expectations and goals; provide guidance for board members on meeting fundraising goals; track progress toward fundraising goals both for individual board members and for the board as a whole.
- Cultivate and sustain relationships and partnerships with individuals, charitable organizations, local businesses, and foundations in support of the USM mission
Chair: Celina Gerling, C鈥�91
- Ensure the visibility of the university to the public in multiple formats
- Participate in Events Committee meetings
- Assist in identifying areas of interest to alumni and friends where opportunities to host events exist
- Assist with the promotion of events and encourage fellow alumni and the 花椒直播 community to attend events
- Serve as an event volunteer
- Assist with the recruitment of Events Committee members
- Attend any event recap meetings to provide feedback and direction for future Saint Mary events
Estimated Time Commitment: 2-5 hours per month, depending on the activity or initiative
Chair: Celina Gerling, C鈥�91
- Provide a Homecoming program that is a celebration of the spirit and traditions of the 花椒直播. Our vision is to unite our fellow USM graduates by organizing and implementing a weekend of events which encourage alumni to come back to campus to remember the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future.
Chair: Domonique Kettler, U鈥�17
- The Nominating Committee shall consist of directors appointed by the president of
the association and the alumni relations manager. Projects and responsibilities include
but are not limited to:
- Review of current board demographics
- Review of alumni engagement report
- Propose nominees for alumni board vacancies
- Assist the university in attracting and retaining the highest quality students with the greatest potential for a successful and satisfying USM experience. Committee members will work in concert with the alumni relations manager in carrying out specific recruitment and retention plans each year.
- Members may be asked to volunteer at recruitment events in concert with the Admissions Department or to attend other recruitment and/or retention events
Celina Gerling, C鈥�91, Chair
- Provide an Alumni Reunion Weekend that is a celebration of the spirit and traditions of the 花椒直播, 花椒直播 College, and the 花椒直播 Academy. Our vision is to unite our fellow USM/SMC/SMA graduates by organizing and implementing a weekend of events which encourage alumni to come back to campus to remember the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future.
- Members will actively participate in Alumni Reunion Committee meetings
- Members will assist in identifying and contacting graduates from the anniversary years to be celebrated at the Alumni Reunion Banquet
- Assist with the promotion of Alumni Reunion events and encourage fellow alumni and the 花椒直播 community to attend the Alumni Reunion Weekend
- Serve as event volunteer during the Alumni Reunion Weekend
- Assist with the recruitment of Reunion Committee members
- Attend the Alumni Reunion recap meeting to provide feedback and direction for the next Alumni Reunion celebration
Estimated Time Commitment: 2-5 hours per month depending on the activity or initiative
Volunteers
Each committee will recruit volunteers to work on an event or initiative. Examples of volunteer opportunities are as follows:
- Event Coordinators: Volunteers will work with the alumni relations manager to identify events and activities designed to engage our alumni base
- Contact: Volunteers will invite other alumni to attend via phone call, email, or social media. We encourage all volunteers to post on their personal social media accounts that they plan to attend an event.
- Hospitality: Volunteers will set up, take down and/or serve as registration table hosts during an event (registration table hosts are normally done in shifts so that everyone can enjoy the event)
- Event Photographer: Volunteers will take candid photos during event and post and tag to social media
- Follow Up: Volunteers will contact attendees and thank them for attending the event
Estimated Time Commitment: 2-5 hours per month depending on the activity or initiative
Get Involved!
Have Questions? Contact Us.
University Advancement
alumni@stmary.edu
913-758-4328
Have Questions? Contact Us.
University Advancement
alumni@stmary.edu
913-758-4328