Alumni Association Board of Directors

Charnele’s background includes experience in working with students and residential life communities, with 11 years of higher education experience at a variety of residential life positions at King University, St. Lawrence University and Salem State University. After earning her Bachelors of Science in architecture with a concentration in visual arts from RWU, she received a Masters of Education in educational leadership from St. Lawrence University.

Currently working as the Director of Residential Programs at Harvard, Charnele is responsible for working within the Dean of Students Office to assess the needs of the student body and to develop and organize educational, social and cultural activities in partnership with the Houses, the First-Year Experience Office, the First-Year Social Committee, House Committees, and other crucial partners.

A native Rhode Islander born and raised in Cumberland, RI, Christina has childhood memories of driving over the Mt. Hope Bridge and past the School of Architecture on the way home from family trips to the beach wondering if she'd ever spend her college days there.

Christina has since gone on to attend RWU, completing a dual degree, a combined BS in Architecture and Master of Architecture, with a minor in Construction Management.

In her time at RWU, she was a Resident Assistant for three years and an Orientation Advisor for two summers, one of which she had the honor of being in charge of planning the float, which later won the "Best in Parade" for 2009 4th July Parade. The projects she manages as an Owner's Project Manager for CSL Consulting are a bit more complicated these days but aren't nearly as fun.

"I feel credibly lucky to have spent my college years at RWU creating the friendships and connections that I still have years after graduating. I came to RWU for a degree, and I left with a second family."

Virgina Shalomé Albert, Esq., is Haitian-born and a passionate advocate for civil rights. Virgina is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She earned her Juris Doctor at American University, Washington College of Law with cum laude honors and Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Philosophy at Roger Williams University (RWU) with cum laude honors. 

Virgina's commitment to anti-discrimination, anti-poverty, and access to justice stems from her high school volunteer experience with Rhode Island for Community and Justice (RICJ). RICJ equipped Albert with the initial exposure, education, and training surrounding equity, discrimination, and justice. Albert remained engaged with the work of RICJ for seven years which influenced her decision to be a vocal advocate as a student at RWU.

Upon returning to the Greater Boston Area for employment, Virgina serves as a mentor for RICJ's Young Womxn's Equity Coalition, which aims to mentor BIPOC young womxn in Rhode Island. Additionally, she co-chairs the RWU Alumni of Color Network Mentoring Committee, seeking to establish and improve networking and mentoring opportunities between BIPOC RWU students and alumni. Later, Virgina joined the RWU Alumni Association Board of Directors with continued commitment to increasing professional development opportunities for alumni and students. 

Bre lives in San Diego, California, where she was born and raised. Bre graduated from Roger Williams University in 2016 with a major in Economics & a minor in Computer Science. While at RWU, she was on the sailing team & was named All-American in 2015.

In 2021, she earned her Master's in Data Science & Engineering from University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Bre currently works at Qualcomm in Engineering Operations supporting the Automotive Business Unit. In her spare time, I love doing yoga, drinking iced coffee, & being in or around the ocean.

Patti Behen-Ruch, from Westchester, NY, is a proud graduate of the class of 2008. She fell in love with the Roger Williams Campus at her accepted students' day and has thought of it as a second home ever since. Patti was a Student Admissions Assistant while on campus, as she enjoyed leading tours for prospective students and their families. Patti graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Minor in Foreign Language and Culture. Patti was the president of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology.

She was also a research assistant and presented her work at the American Psychological Association Conferences in Boston, MA and Pittsburgh, PA. Patti was a Teacher's Assistant in her Psychology of Loss Class with Dr. Kim Knight. She was an intern at The Attleboro Center, where she began her career in the Nonprofit Sector.

After working with adolescents in a Psychiatric Treatment Center at the Attleboro Center, Patti went on to work for several nonprofit agencies after graduation, including Search for Change, Arc of Westchester, WIHD, and ACANY.

Patti currently serves as an Assistant Program Director at Nonotuck Resource Associates in Harvard, MA. She also has a true passion for helping others in the real estate field and has been with Coldwell Banker as a Realtor for 10 years. Patti was also the President of the Putnam Valley Business Network, a local chamber of commerce.

She was a Women's Rugby Player and Lifeguard while at RWU. She enjoys running, fundraising, and spending time with her family. 

Xante completed a Master of Science in Globalization and Latin American Development at University College London in 2019. Xante went on to work as a Political Affairs Officer for the Government of the Virgin Islands London Office from 2019- 2021.

Xante began another degree in 2021. In 2022, he completed a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management at King’s College London. 

He currently is a Senior Policy Officer and Caseworker at the Cabinet Office (which is a government department of the United Kingdom Government).  While a member of the RWU Alumni Association Board of Directors, his aim is to bring a former international student perspective to its workings. 

Chip has over twenty-eight years of professional business development, sales, marketing and corporate communications experience. Prior to this he was Vice President & General Manager at Sterngold Dental LLC. He previously held the position as Director of Marketing & E-Business and managed all of the marketing activities and operations for the Precious Metals Division of Cookson Group. Chip was also the Director of Marketing & E-Commerce for Sterngold Dental, a subsidiary of Cookson Precious Metals. During his time at Sterngold he successfully launched a fully-integrated e-business platform for the company.

Earlier in his career, Chip was a Marketing Analyst for NEPTCO, Inc., a manufacturer of wire and cable products. He also was the Corporate Communications and Public Relations Manager for Cookson America, Inc. located in Providence, Rhode Island.

Chip holds a MBA from the University of Rhode Island and a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communications and Marketing from Roger Williams University.

Kevin Deeb holds over 6 years of experience within the student services sector of higher education through performance in residence life, academic advising, student program, school counseling and most currently, career development and education. Kevin works with the intention to provide care, support, mentorship, guidance and self-development to all the students he works with on a regular basis. Kevin most recently graduated with his M.Ed In School Counseling degree from Providence College in May of 2022 and most currently is enrolled in RWU’s Masters of Science in Leadership program, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2025.

Kevin graduated from Roger Williams University in 2020 with a B.A. in Educational Studies, and a minor in Management and Psychology. During his time as an undergraduate, Kevin was a distinguished and dedicated Resident Assistant for three years (Maple, Willow & Cedar Halls) and a Head Resident Assistant (Cedar Hall) during his senior year. In addition, he served as class secretary for the class of 2020 for one year, and vice president for the class of 2020 for two years through the Inter Class Council. In addition, Kevin held work study positions in the Center for Career and Professional Development, as well as the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. Kevin also had the opportunity to hold several internships including working at a local high school guidance office and planning the marketing and logistics surrounding Homecoming and Family Weekend in 2018. Lastly, Kevin had the life changing opportunity of studying abroad to over six European countries in the Summer of 2019.

He currently serves on the board of the RWU Alumni Association board and is an avid and engaged alumni especially as a now RWU staff member.

Sofia brings a decade of PR knowledge and experience to Methods+Mastery – currently working across Google Hardware accounts on messaging/content development, media relations, product review programs, issues management and more. Before her role at M+M, she served clients in the consumer health and healthcare technology clients at agencies including FleishmanHillard, Matter Communications and Lois Paul and Partners.

Sofia graduated from Roger Williams University with a B.S. in communications with a specialization in public relations, and a minor in graphic design communications. During her time as an undergraduate, she was part of PRSSA, Values of Sisterhood and The Hawks’ Herald, where she started the newspaper’s first ever fashion column. She graduated with a total of seven internships – her favorite being an internship with a fashion designer during her time abroad in London, where she was able to attend London Fashion Week.

She currently serves on the board of the RWU Alumni Association board, and is the current President of PR Club of New England.

Stephen graduated from RWU in 2006 with a BA in Classics/Philology and a minor in Spanish. While a student, he worked in the Undergraduate Admissions office, as well as the Department of Modern and Foreign Languages. He was involved with SAFE, Alternative Spring Break and Classics Club groups, and studied abroad in Florence, Italy in the spring of 2005.

Following graduation, Stephen worked in different operational sectors, including logistics, customer service and higher education. In 2018 he returned to RWU and worked in the Diversity Equity and Inclusion office at Roger Williams, supporting students of stereotypically marginalized identities. During this time, he was the staff advisor to the Barbershop (a club for RWU men of color) and Rhythm & Roots (a cultural dance club), and was involved in committees and initiatives on campus, such as the Equity Action Plan and PSSA contract negotiations. While engaged back in RWU, Stephen earned a Master of Science in Leadership.

Stephen is currently the Director of Operations for the Ecumenical Social Action Committee in Boston, MA, - a non-profit that has programs to improve the quality of life for residents of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, focusing on children and the elderly through innovative programs in homeownership, economic stabilization, education, and community service. Stephen lives in Providence, RI with his beagle, Sven, and is a member of the Providence Gay Flag Football League, where has been a board member, a team captain and has travelled to tournaments around the country.

Matt is a Vice President at Z2 Investment Management, a private equity & credit investor based in Stamford, CT, where he isresponsible for sourcing, structuring, and leading due diligence for new investments. Before joining Z2, Matt was a Senior Associate at Quilvest Capital Partners on the Mezzanine & Structured Equity Investment Team.

Prior to Quilvest, Matt was an Associate at M3 Partners, a leading restructuring & turnaround advisor. Matt began his career at Mario Gabelli's GAMCO Investors as an Assistant Vice President responsible for sourcing & evaluating investment opportunities across the capital structure within the automotive and capital equipment sectors.

D‍uring his time at Roger Williams, Matt was a four-year member of the varsity sailing team, the 2011 ICSA Team Racing National Champions, as well as an executive board member of both Student Senate and the Hawks' Herald.

Matt holds a BS in Finance & Economics from Roger Williams University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Brittany is a driven and enthusiastic Senior Account Supervisor for Sam Brown Communications, a full-service, independent healthcare communications agency. At Sam Brown, Brittany specializes in account management, digital/social and media initiatives, as well events and corporate communications. Brittany has been working in communications for 6+ years, and her passion for making an impact in the healthcare industry helps to drive her day-to-day work.

Brittany's first internship at Roger Williams ultimately led to her current "side hustle" freelancing as a Senior Contributor for HGL Media. Over the past 7+ years, Brittany has covered all things food, home/real estate, lifestyle, and golf. In 2018, Brittany started her own column, "Britt's Best Bites & Seaside Sips," in HGL Media's Coastal Home Life Magazine, which highlights coastal restaurants in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. A true "foodie," Brittany prides herself on her ability to capture the most appealing and eye-catching imagery for restaurants, accompanied by strong storytelling and messaging.

During her time at Roger Williams, Brittany worked as an Admissions Counselor, was involved with PRSSA, where served as Co-Chair for the 2015 Gala, and wrote for Hawks Herald. Brittany graduated in the Class of 2016 and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Roger Williams University in Public Relations with minors in e-Business and Graphic Design. 

Scott holds a MBA and PhD and graduated from RWU in 2015 as a double major in both biology and chemistry with a minor in French language. While at RWU, Scott was involved as an orientation advisor, resident assistant, and founder of colleges against cancer.

Following my graduation from RWU, he went on to get my masters in biology (UNE) and MBA (ENMU) as well as a PhD in pharmacology from Duke University. Following his doctoral work, he founded a small pharmaceutical company in Durham, NC focused on the development of small molecule inhibitors against inflammatory diseases. Outside of Scott’s work, he enjoys playing tennis and hiking with his dog.

Dalton is a proud graduate of Roger Williams Class of 2022. As a junior transfer and former division 1 swimmer from the University of Maine Dalton was a two-year member of the varsity swim team at Roger Williams. During his time at Roger, he was a resident assistant in Stonewall Terrace, a member of the multicultural student union, and president and founding member of RWU’s chapter of Justice in Action Athletic Alliance.

Dalton earned his degree in Political Science with a minor in philosophy. This degree has served him well as a current student at Cornell Law in Ithaca, NY. Dalton has worked for State Senator Adam Hollier in Michigan Detroit addressing a more equitable future through a jury selection initiative that spanned the two years he was at Roger Williams.

During his time at RWU, Dalton was named the Pi Sigma Alpha Senior for the most outstanding academic record in the Political Science Department. Awarded the Male Sharon Castelli Award for the male student-athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship over their career as an RWU Athlete. Awarded the Jacqui Cohen award for the student-athlete who goes above and beyond the call of duty in service. He was also awarded the James Russo Award for Athletic Academic Excellence for achieving the highest GPA on the day of the end of year award ceremony.

At Cornell, Dalton is the president of Cornell’s Black Law Students Association as well as a member of the Office for Respondent’s Council helping provide representation to those who find themselves at odds with Cornell’s conduct system. Finally, Dalton is a Charles J. Beard Fellow at Foley Hoag in Boston, one of the premier law firms in the country.

He looks forward to serving the Roger Williams Community on the Board of Directors.