JANUARY 25, 2025
3 p.m. CT (4 p.m. ET, 2 p.m. MT, 1 p.m. PT)
Congratulations, Graduates!
Today is a day to celebrate, a day to be proud of.
After all the hard work, the sacrifices, and the personal growth, you’ve made it to this incredible milestone. As a newly minted master art educator, you’re stepping forward, ready to embrace new responsibilities and a meaningful life. You’ve earned the skills and knowledge to shape your future and impact the world around you.
You’re now uniquely positioned to inspire and guide the next generation of creative thinkers, innovators, builders, makers, and doers. Art isn’t just about creating—it’s a gateway to critical thinking, emotional growth, and personal empowerment. Through art, you give students the tools to see the world in new ways, approach problems creatively, and express themselves in ways that truly transform their lives.
Today, we’re celebrating you—and the 189 other master art educators who, like you, will touch the lives of thousands of students. You are the leaders of this movement, the ones who will spark new ideas, inspire new passions, and push boundaries through the power of art.
So, be bold. Be inspiring. Use everything you’ve learned and the growth you’ve achieved to make a real difference. Embrace the mess, the mistakes, and the magic that comes with creating something meaningful. Now is your moment to lead and to make an impact that will last far beyond the classroom.
The next chapter of your journey is yours to write; we can’t wait to see where it takes you.
Congratulations on this tremendous achievement, and thank you for trusting AOEU to be part of your story.
With deep admiration,
Heather Crockett, PhD Chief Academic Officer
The Art of Education University
Program of Events
INTRODUCTION
Shannon Lauffer, Dean of Enrollment Services
VIDEO
Reflections on the Journey to Alum
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Dr. Heather Crockett, Chief Academic Officer
PRESENTATION
The Graduating Class of 2024
CLOSING
GRADUATING
Class of 2024
Christina Forecki Jenna Freck Faller
Anastasia English
Tyler Finley
Kelly Galinsky
Maytal Gotesman
Molly Gravunder
Jacquelyn Friel
Amy Gillispie Kevin Gehrig
Mackenzie Hendrickson
Jaime Hilaski
Rachel Hoscheit
Talitha Heatley
Megan Henry
Emma Hamilton
Emily Henry
Theresa HutchinsonNiemeier
Hannah Kabat
Breanne Kanak
Clayton Hubert
Riki Johnson Atkins
Amber Howard
Catherine Irmis
Bailey Aumiller
Chrissy Block Paigemonea Brooks-Whitaker
Andrew Alexander
Christin Besette
Kelsey Adair
Cristi Beeler
Ann Canida
Morgan Chase
Brennan Buck
Lauren Catalano
Emily Bruzzini
Teal Carlson
Lindsay Chong
Shireen DeNault
Taylor DiCiacco
Dyango Chavez Cutino
Jill Cook
Regina Chavez
Jennifer Cofone
Brendin Kinsey
Sarah King
Valerie Kelly
Cassandra Laslie
GRADUATING
Class of 2024
Ashley Presnar
Kim Peck
Katelyn Peterson
Stephanie Pinto
Wilfredo Penate
Kerri Potter
Amanda Portsche
Julia Rizzo
Meghan Purcell
Cassidy Raeber
Lisette Riberon
Benjamin Pyrc
Laura Ritzer
Maria Riofrio
Samantha Levisay
Danielle Linz
Corinne Lee
Katherine Maksym
Tara Marsden
David Martin
Rachel Lynn
Jamie Marrs Hoskins
Tracie Loux
Tina Maloch
Jonathan Menkis
Sara McLoone
Marisa McLaughlin
Kristina Peabody
Megan Martinson
Alina McCurdy
Haley Oshatz
Nikki Nisly
Laura Neill
Kelsey Nemeth
Leatha Morgan
Naomi Montilla
Cali Sanker
Jacob Robert Ward
Stephanie Robinson
Stacey Rodriguez
Matthew Roberts
Grace Sacher
Sheyanne Ryan
Dave Schaeffer
Shaelin Shields
Christine Siwicki
AylaJean Seibert
Andrea Smith Michelle Smalley
GRADUATING
Class of 2024
Ceara Torres
Abigail Willwerth
Samantha Viele
Amanda Warring
Jackie Weber
Kimberly Villarreal
Darla Williams Rose White
Amy Wirtz
Julia Zlotsky-Goggi
Sarah Znidarsich
Nanette Younan
Ashley Zulli
Annette Svoboda-Lessard
Raigan Swaim
Susan Stevens
Marlene Tolentino
Lisa Swiggard
Amy Stauff
Tristica Stanley
NOT PICTURED:
Carla Ashley
Jessica Aultman
Eleanore Ave
Sean Banister
Olivia Benish
Emily Brannan
Kristina Brown
Sarah Castle
Noelle Chandler
Eva Chinn
Mindy Christofferson
Janna DeWan
Lisa Duffy
Kristina Erickson
Emily Estill
Amanda Feller
Jennifer Ferrari
Dorisa Ferraro
Cynthia Fontaine
GRADUATING
Class of 2024
Mary Frank
Kathryn Frericks
Heather Gardan
J’Hannah Glencross
Dawn Gravel
Amanda Green
Brandy Johnson
Jenna Kampa
Madelyn Kelley
Jennifer King
Lauren Kultgen
Aaron Lacey
Julia Lavigne
Melissa Link
Leah Mahoney
Kristen Maldonado
Grace Mikul
Jennifer Moore
Charles Morehead
Malia Moret
Dawn Murray
Ashley Neal-Bailey
Molly Nebel
Melissa Niemierowski
Kimberly Nuss
Sayoko Oda
Kaylee Ornduff
Jason Osburn
Beth Paugh
Lindsay Powers
Karyn Roberts
Elizabeth Rogers
Licia Rossetti
Catherine Sewall
Jennifer Ashley Singleton
Radhika Nachiar
Sirinivasan Raman
Alyssa Smith
Jillette Smith
Audra Spradley
David Stroud
David Theno
Sierra Tiedman
Alexandra Tucker
David Vaughan
Kathy Vaughan
Stephanie Vest
Danielle Vivio
Michael Walberg
Elena T. Westberg
Lisa Whitman
Tingting Yang
Theresa Yzzi
Timothy Znidarsich
University Leadership
Brent Bingham, President
Dr. Heather Crockett, Chief Academic Officer
Shannon Lauffer, Dean of Enrollment Services
Erin Eimer, Dean of Graduate Studies
Jennifer Ferriday, Chair of Curriculum Development
Theresa Gillespie, Chair of Graduate Student Retention
Dr. Andrea McDonough, Chair of Faculty Development
On behalf of the faculty and staff at The Art of Education University, congratulations on your graduation and accomplishments. It’s now your turn to take what you’ve learned back into the field, to advocate for the arts, create change, and empower your student artists.
We look forward to serving as your university for life.