1990s
Darrel L. Hopkins '90
was honored as the 2024 Veteran of the Year for the City of Leominster. Hopkins serves as the President of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 116.
Timothy P. Horan '95
has been nominated by Governor Maura Healey to serve as an Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court of Massachusetts. Horan has spent the last twenty-one years in private practice, first at a small law firm and, since 2016, as a solo practitioner, where his practice has focused on all aspects of probate and family law, including divorce and custody disputes, estate planning, and probate matters. He has also handled a wide range of criminal and civil matters in the District and Superior Courts. Prior to that, he served as an Investigator and Prosecuting Counsel for the Division of Professional Licensure where he oversaw investigations and prosecutions related to healthcare fraud. He has also served as an Analyst and Victim Witness Advocate at the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.
Jeffrey L. Troisi '99
has joined Commodore Builders as a senior virtual design and construction (VDC) manager. Troisi holds a degree in construction management from Fitchburg State University and brings two decades of experience leading digital coordination efforts across the life science, health care, academic, retail, and commercial sectors.
Jacques P. Veilleux '96
was recently featured in The Keene Sentinel as "Rindge's real-life 'bat man.' Veilleux received his bachelor's degree in biology and has been studying bats every since (hence his nickname of "the bat guy). His first encounter with bats, while on a research trip to Nicaragua with his undergraduate mammalogy professor Howard Thomas, piqued his interest in the creature. Veilleux is currently a Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Franklin Pierce University. Read more about "the bat guy."2000s
Margie M. Breault '13
has been named to the Worcester Business Journal's 2025 "40 Under 40" list. Breault received her bachelors degree in Human Services from Fitchburg State. She currently serves as the Business and Community Advancement Manager, City of Worcester and is the Owner of Prism of Brilliance: An entrepreneurial force driving equity, empowerment, and new opportunities for businesses and residents.
Robert A. Carlin, Jr. '00
has been appointed the interim high school principal of St. Bernard's High School in Fitchburg. Along with owning his own photography business, Carlin has been teaching theology, English and Photography at St. Bernard's for the past two years. Carlin received his bachelors degree in photography from Fitchburg State and then went on to receive his masters in pastoral ministry from Anna Maria and a Master of Theology from Boston College. 
Brittany L. Minichiello '08
has been named to the Worcester Business Journal's 2025 "40 Under 40" list. Minichiello received her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Fitchburg State. She is a Co-founder and Managing Partner of BEspoke Medical Affairs Solutions: A trailblazer in women-owned healthcare consulting with global reach and local commitment.
Matt W. Serafini '06
has published his 10th novel, "Feeders." The novel is described as "a spinetingling supernatural thriller about a young woman whose craving for fame leads to a terrifying nightmare." This is Serafini's first novel published through a "Big Five" publisher, Gallery Books which is part of Simon & Schuster. “Feeders” and his other books can be purchased online and wherever books are sold and Serafini said he’s already working on another one. “I’m not allowed to say much about the next novel yet, but I will tell you that it’s a radical departure from everything I’ve done so far,” he said. “First time outside of the horror genre, though with a story that is no less thrilling and outrageous.”
Stephen M. Sierpina '06
has been appointed the new high school principal for the Marlborough Public Schools. Sierpina has 25 years of experience in public education, as a teacher, assistant principal and principal in urban and suburban settings. He earned his masters degree in educational leadership from Fitchburg State.2010s
Sarah A. Dully '19
has been named as Rhode Island's 2026 Teacher of the Year. Dully, an English Language Arts teacher at Narragansett High School, has been an educator since 2012 and joined the high school in 2020. She will represent Rhode Island at various Teacher of the Year events nationally through 2027.
Aurelia B. Lyman '16
has been profiled for her work on the 50th anniversary production of the North American Tour of THE WIZ. Lyman received her bachelors degree in Industrial Technology from Fitchburg State. After graduation she was hired for a tour with the Chamber Theatre out of Boston and a year later was brought on as the head carpenter of the Tony Award winning show, Million Dollar Quartet. Lyman says Technical Theatre Professor Cap Cordan had a lot of influence on her journey to behind-the-stage. Read more about Aurelia Lyman.
Nicholas Rocheleau '11
has been named to the Worcester Business Journal's 2025 "40 Under 40" list. Rocheleau received his bachelors degree in Industrial Technology from Fitchburg State. He currently serves as the Director of Engineering for Rocheleau Tool & Die: A fourth-generation leader driving technical excellence and global growth while keeping deep roots in our Commonwealth.
Craig M. Sheil '12
was recently was recognized as one of the MassCUE Pathfinder Awardees this year at the 2025 MassCUE conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. The MassCUE’s Pathfinder Award is presented to a Massachusetts educator and leader whose efforts have enhanced the field of educational technology. This person has gone “above and beyond” in demonstrating leadership and providing inspiration to other educators. Sheil received his master's degree in Education from Fitchburg State and currently serves as an Adjunct Instructor in the School of Education.
Alexandra E. Valdez '15
has been named to the 2025 ALX100: 100 Latino leaders making a difference across Massachusetts. This is the third annual list of exceptional Latino leaders named by the nonpartisan, collaborative nonprofit, We are ALX. Valdez currently serves as the Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Boston, previously serving in the Mayors Office as Executive Director, Mayors Office of Women's Advancement and prior to that as Director of Engagement, Economic Mobility Lab.2020s
Linda M. Alvarez '22
has been named the 2026 Vermont Teacher of the Year by the Vermont Agency of Education. Linda has been a Business and Entrepreneurship teacher at the Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro for 4 years and is the first Career Technical Education (CTE) educator to receive this award in Vermont. She received her MBA from Fitchburg State in 2022. Beyond the classroom, Linda serves as a Future Business Leaders of America advisor, a member of the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Special Education Parent Advisory Council, and an adjunct professor at Vermont State University, Community College of Vermont.
Andrew Alward '24
has been appointed the new town administrator for Chester, MA. Alward received his masters degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Fitchburg State.
Amanda L. Belanger '21
has joined Adams Community Bank as Vice President of Human Resources. Belanger received her MBA from Fitchburg State. In her new role she will oversee employee engagement and development and workforce planning across all levels of the organization.
Kaleigh A. Maio '20
has been named to the Worcester Business Journal's 2025 "40 Under 40" list. Maio received her MBA from Fitchburg State. She is currently the Vice President of Human Resources at Heywood Healthcare. She is a leader who has guided a major health system through extraordinary challenges with strength and compassion.
Andrew "AJ" J. Morris '23
has been hired full-time by the Athol Police Department, where he had been serving as a reserve officer. Morris will soon finish his masters in criminal just at Fitchburg State and served for two years on the university's police force.
Rachel M. Ritchie '21
has been hired as the assistant principal for Brookside Elementary School in Milford, MA. Ritchie earned her master's degree in Educational Leadership from Fitchburg State. She most recently served as an assistant principal at Hopkins Elementary School in Hopkinton.
Eliezer Rivera '21, '24
has been named Assistant Director of Admissions at Fitchburg State. Rivera will the university's liaison with the four high schools in Fitchburg, Fitchburg High, Sizer, St. Bernard’s and Monty Tech, as well as working with Lunenburg, Leominster, Gardner and Littleton.
Owen R. Williams '25
has been sworn in as the newest police officer for the Ashburnham Police Department. Williams graduated in May 2025 with a degree in Criminal Justice and was a member of the 8th Recruit Office Course that completed their police academy training in September 2025. 