Williams Honors College Alumni Advisory Council
Ben Bair ’92
Major: Political Science, English (minor)
Title: Global Head of Compliance at Cantor Fitzgerald
Ben is currently the Global Head of Compliance for Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial services firm in New York City. He is originally from Canton, OH and graduated from UA in 1992 with a major in Political Science and a minor in English. After UA, Ben obtained a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1995. He is married (Evelyn) and they have two daughters (Ellie, 21 and Portia, 16).
Amber Kern ’14
Degree: Marketing Management and Integrated Marketing Communications
Title: Manager, Product Operations at Privia Health
Amber Kern earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Akron - Williams Honors College, Bachelor's in Business Administration- Marketing Management and Integrated Marketing Communications in 2014. During this time, she played four years of varsity women's soccer, served as a Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) member, and founded the fully endowed S.T.R.I.V.E. scholarship with two fellow WHC students. Amber is currently the Manager of Product Operations at Privia Health. She has held previous positions in the healthcare technology industry as a Business Systems Analyst at Optum, as a Senior Specialist of Product & Solutions Marketing at Cardinal Health, and as an Account Manager at Cardinal Health. Amber has also been coaching women's soccer throughout the years.
Jim Malone ’03
Major: Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics (minor)
Title: Engineer Development at Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems
Jim Malone attended the University of Akron as a Buckingham Scholar, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 2003. As a student, he was active with the University of Akron Marching Band and Campus Focus in addition to his diverse opportunities through the honors program. After graduation, he attended The Ohio State University, where he received a Master of Science in mechanical engineering and was also actively involved in leadership at Life Community Church. As an engineering student at Akron, Jim participated in the engineering co-op program with what is now Parker Meggitt, where he has been employed full time since 2004. Jim currently resides in Cuyahoga Falls with his wife, Kathleen, who is also a graduate of the University of Akron, and their six children. He serves as an elder at Tallmadge Bible Church. In his spare time, Jim likes thinking about the design of computer systems.
Loi Nguyen ’95, ’96, ’03
Major: Elementary Education, Elementary School Administration (MSE), Elementary Education (PHD)
Title: ESL and World Languages Specialist at Akron Public Schools
Dr. Loi Dang-Nguyen has been employed by the Akron Public Schools for the past 29 years. She has been a teacher, a middle school assistant principal, an elementary principal, and is currently an ESL (English as a Second Language) and World Languages learning specialist. She works in many capacities to ensure that English Learners (ELs) receive educational support and resources to help them acquire English and achieve academic success. She is married to Dr. Troy Nguyen, and they have two children, Tyler Nguyen and Lauren Nguyen.
Continue readingAs a former refugee, she understands the challenges of immigrating to a new country and is aware of the language barriers that refugee families encounter that may hinder their adjustment into a new country and culture. Her parents escaped Vietnam in 1975 and arrived in Akron, Ohio, with 12 children. They were sponsored by The Chapel on Fir Hill under the pastorship of Rev. Dr. David Burnham. As refugees, her parents, Rev. and Mrs. Dang, started the Vietnamese Church in Akron, and her mother volunteered her time helping other Vietnamese refugees with translations. Her parents believe that “earning an education is the key to success in America” and encouraged all 12 children to focus on their education. Because of this strong belief in education, all 12 children graduated from college and 10 of them have earned their Master’s, Ph.D., or M.D. With her parents’ encouragement and her family’s extreme gratitude for the support they have received from The Chapel, Akron Public Schools, and the city of Akron, Dr. Dang-Nguyen and her siblings continue to volunteer locally and are committed to helping refugees and serving the community in many different roles.
Dr. Dang-Nguyen is a lifelong learner and proud graduate of Akron Public Schools and The University of Akron. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Master of Arts in Elementary Administration, and Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Akron. She was Akron Public Schools’ 2002 District Teacher of the Year and Portage Path’s Building Teacher of the Year. She has presented at several state and local conferences. In addition, she has served on numerous local and state panels and presented topics such as family engagement, educational challenges and strategies to support English learners, and the refugee experience.
Carrie Tuesday ’12, ’15
Major: Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry (minor), Higher Education Administration (MSE)
Title: Director of Undergraduate Advising and Student Services at The University of Akron
Carrie is a two-time UA graduate, completing her Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering as a member of the William’s Honors College in 2012, and Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration in 2015. She has spent her career at UA, as well, working in the College of Engineering before moving to academic advising in the College of Business in 2016, now serving as the Director of Undergraduate Advising & Student Services.
Continue readingOutside of UA, she spends her time with her husband, who she met through the Honors College in 2007, and their three crazy boys – Anderson (6), Lincoln (3), and Cohen (1). They enjoy all things Akron, including RubberDucks games, the Akron marathon, and Summit Metro Parks.
