As a graduate of St. Thomas University, you become a lifetime member of the Alumni Association. Your Alumni Association relies on engaged volunteers for many of its activities.
Call for Nominations: St. Thomas University Alumni Association Board of Directors
The St. Thomas University Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for new members on its Board of Directors. This is an excellent opportunity for alumni to give back to the STU community, help guide the association’s strategic goals, and represent the interests of our diverse graduate network.
Ready to submit a name or self-nominate? Hit Submit Form on your STUAA Board of Directors Nomination Form OR email your form and resume to alumni@stu.ca. The deadline to submit all nomination materials is August 31, 2026.
STU Alumni Association Sponsorship
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Meet the STUAA Board of Directors
Sabrina Sotiriu, BA'10 - Vice-President (Ottawa, ON)
Currently working in government relations, Sabrina worked for almost a decade on Parliament Hill in Ottawa for MPs both in government and opposition from all over Canada. In her four years at STU, Sabrina was involved with STUISA, the Students’ Union, as well as the Political Science Society among the many clubs on campus, Model United Nations, and so on. In this role with the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Sabrina is grateful to give back to her alma mater and contribute to the St. Thomas community more consistently, after a decade of being a liaison for Ottawa-based STU alumni.
Jack MacLennan, PhD, BA’09- Second Vice President (Kansas City, MO, US)
Jack is currently Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Communications, as well as Special Assistant to President for Governance, at Park University (Parkville, MO, USA). He also was promoted to Associate Professor of International Relations and National Security Studies in 2023. After completing his BA (with honours) in 2009, Jack went on to complete an MA (Political Science) at the University of Windsor. (2011), a Master’s in Public Policy at the University of Michigan-Dearborn (2011), and a PhD (Political Science) from Carleton (2017). Jack’s is dedicated to the liberal arts model and passionate about University governance and planning. At Park he has been a two term Faculty Senate President, sat on an accreditation reaffirmation steering committee, and severed as a special assistant for special projects related to academic programs. He has been awarded the President’s Award for Teaching Excellence (2020) and the Dusing-Proudfoot Award (2024) for contributions to the Park Community. He looks forward to bringing his skills and experience to the STUAA Board of Directors.
Bibi Wasiimah Joomun, BA'20 - Secretary (Ottawa, ON)
Since completing her degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice & Psychology, Wasiimah has worked as the worked as the Executive Director for the New Brunswick of Student Alliance before moving to Ottawa. Wasiimah is currently living on the unceded & unsurrended Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation (Ottawa), and working as the Executive Director at the Canadian Alliance of Students Associations. During her time at STU, Wasiimah contributed to the campus community through her involvement with Residence Life, the STU Students' Union, and the STU International Student Association. As a recent graduate, Wasiimah is looking forward to staying connected with and further contributing to the close-knit STU community as a member of the STU Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Suzanne Lalla-Murphy, BA’ 88 - At Large Member (Fredericton, NB)
Suzanne works for Scotiabank and won the Best Employee of 2018 award. She enjoys spending time with her family and collecting stamps and old coins. She has been a volunteer in different foundations like the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Cancer Society, Diabetes NB and Big Brother Big Sister. She is also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Samantha Squires, BA'18 - At Large Member (Toronto, ON)
Samantha is an Economist currently working as a Senior Consultant with CPCS Transcom Limited in Toronto. After obtaining her Honours BA in Economics at STU, she went on to complete her Master of Arts in Economic Policy at McMaster University in Hamilton and has been working in economic and transportation consulting for over five years. In her four years at STU, Samantha played on the STU Varsity Women’s Hockey Team. She continues to play hockey in her spare time and stay connected with former STU teammates and alumni. She looks forward to giving back to her alma mater and is extremely proud to continue to represent the university.
Brianna Workman, BA'19 - At Large Member (Ottawa, ON)
Since her time at STU, Brianna completed her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Ottawa and Master of Political Management at Carleton University. She is currently clerking at the Federal Court of Canada. During her time at STU, Brianna was involved in various aspects of campus life including the STU Students’ Union, Moot Court and Residence Life. Brianna is pleased to remain connected and further contribute to STU’s unique, close-knit community as a member of the STU Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Alex Dascalu, BA’20 - At Large Member (Fredericton, NB)
Alex completed his Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Journalism and Communications and Public Policy in 2020. During his degree, Alex gained experience in journalism with The Aquinian as a photo editor and in communications as an intern at the Fredericton SPCA. Since graduating, he has worked in sales and marketing but couldn't stay away from his alma mater as he is currently working as an Admissions Counsellor at St. Thomas. Alex is looking forward to working with the Alumni Association in connecting current and future students with alumni.
Jason O‘Hearn, BA’23 – At Large Member (Antigonish NS)
Jason O’Hearn is a graduate of the class of 2023, holding a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Criminology and Communications & Public Policy; at St. Thomas, Jason was an active student leader through different volunteer and paid student positions. Notably, Jason served on the university Board of Governors, held the position of Residence Advisor for Rigby and Vanier Hall and Residence Coordinator for Vanier Hall.
Clayton Beaton, BA’06 - At Large Member (Fredericton, NB)
Clayton is an experienced communications professional currently working at NB Power, New Brunswick’s electric power utility. During his time at STU, he was heavily involved in many facets of student life - a commitment that continued as he held a range of positions within St Thomas University’s Residence Life and Communications departments for over a decade. Currently residing in Fredericton with his family, he is looking forward to staying connected to a community that means so much to him and bringing his skills and expertise to the STU Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Megan Cormier-MacKenzie, BA’21 - At Large Member (Fredericton, NB)
Megan completed her Bachelor of Arts at St Thomas in 2019 with a double major in Human Rights and Philosophy and a minor in Native Studies. During her time at STU, Megan was involved in many facets of STU's community, including STU's Moot Court Team, the Students' Union, the Senate, and several academic committees. Upon graduating, Megan moved to Ottawa where she worked as a field hand at a local farm and attended the University of Ottawa. She graduated with her Juris Doctor with a specialization in Environmental Law in 2024 and has since moved home to practice law in Saint John, New Brunswick. Megan could not be more excited to be working with the STU community again as a member of the STUAA.
Aviva Silburt, PhD, BA’10 (Ottawa, ON)
Aviva is Deputy Director of Emerging Policy Issues and Collaboration at Natural Resources Sector, where she provides national leadership on strategic policy issues affecting Canada’s minerals and metals sector. She brings expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, governance, and consensus-building gained throughout her career with the Government of Canada. She holds a BA, Honours in Great Ideas from St. Thomas University (2010), a MA, International Affairs from Carleton University (2012) and a PhD, Global Governance from the University of Waterloo (2022). Grateful to St. Thomas’s commitment to critical thinking, academic exploration, community, and personal development, Aviva is eager to give back and honoured for the opportunity to contribute to the STU Alumni Association.
Caitlin Dutt, BA’20 (Fredericton, NB)
Since completing her degree at St. Thomas University, Caitlin has worked as a journalist and a communications and marketing professional in New Brunswick. She completed her Master of Public Relations at Mount Saint Vincent University and currently works at Porter O'Brien, a national consulting firm. While she attended STU, Caitlin dedicated most of her extra curricular time to The Aquinian, STU's official student newspaper, where she was photo editor, layout editor, and finally Editor-in-Chief. Caitlin is also a part-time professor at STU, teaching communications to the next generation. Caitlin is excited to give back to St. Thomas University, a university that means so much to so many, through the Alumni Association Board.
Nate Peardon; M.Ed '25, B.Ed '16, B.A '15 (Montague, Prince Edward Island)
Since completing his Bachelor of Education Degree in 2016 from St. Thomas University, Nate has taught Grade 7 -12 across Canada; with stops in La Loche, SK and Fort St. John, B.C. He returned from Western Canada in 2023 and has taught within ASD-West for the previous four school years -- in which he also received his Master of Education (Administration and Leadership). He is a proud graduate of St. Thomas University (2015) with a double major in Economics and English and a minor in Sociology. Outside of his teaching duties, Nate is a dedicated volleyball coach on many benches. Currently he is the head coach of the 14U Spartans Apex team (in which he also serves as a board member of the club) and assistant coach for the Leo Hayes Female team. Nate is excited to return to the close-knit St. Thomas University and bring his passions, interests, and insights to current, prospective, and former members of the St. Thomas University community.
Shawn Stevenson, BA’05 (Ottawa, ON)
Originally from Charters Settlement, New Brunswick, Shawn Stevenson brings a rich, cross-Canadian perspective to the STU alumni board. Educated at STU and McGill University, Shawn has held pivotal senior leadership and management consulting roles from Victoria to Baffin Island, earning recognition as one of CBC Saskatchewan's Top 40 Under 40. He has also taught university courses in elicitation, requirements management, and transformational leadership.
His roots in fundraising and advocacy run deep. Shawn previously served as Executive Director of the New Brunswick Public Libraries Foundation and Manager of Philanthropy at Ducks Unlimited. He has also advised non-profit boards supporting causes from symphony orchestras to injured veterans.
Now based in Ottawa, working in the defence and security sector after a tenure at the Privy Council Office, Shawn leverages his experience to foster resilient, well-connected communities—including the STU alumni network.
Emily Nylen, BA’23 (Fredericton, NB)
Currently working as an Affordable Housing Development Coordinator for the City of Fredericton's Department of Planning, Development, & By-Law Enforcement, Emily leads the City's efforts to work with federal and provincial government partners and housing providers to deliver more affordable housing in the community. Prior to this role, Emily lived in Oxford, England where she campaigned to improve active transportation infrastructure and drank a lot of tea. Emily also lived in Dublin, Ireland where she earned her master's degree in human rights and supported research on the gendered dimensions of hunger and peacebuilding. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from St Thomas University in Human Rights and Environment and Society. During her time at STU, she was involved in many aspects of the campus community, including Moot Court, Enactus, Welcome Week, and the Campus Tours program. Emily was born in Fredericton and grew up in Riverview, New Brunswick.
Tom Meadus - Vice-President Advancement and Alumni Relations - Ex-Officio
Wanda Bearresto, BA'87 - Alumni Affairs Officer - Ex-Officio