Daniel Dickerson '99 and Marie Allain Dickerson '99 are making a lasting impact on graduate education through the Chick-fil-A Graduate Leadership Scholarship, established in 2020 to support master's degree candidates at the College. This year's recipients, Carmen "Kit" Lowery '26 (MPA) and Shelby Allen '25 (MBA '26), have used the scholarship to pursue leadership opportunities, internships, and real-world experiences shaping their careers in public service and marketing. The Dickersons' ongoing generosity is helping students overcome financial barriers and turn their academic and professional goals into reality.
Hirona Matsuda ’07 is a local artist and the Director of Merchandising at Artist & Craftsman Supply in downtown Charleston. While at the College, she earned her BA in anthropology and art and joined the store as a part-time employee while studying sculpture, noting that “a huge part of my art education actually came from working at the store because you’re constantly talking to professional artists about what they’re doing in the studio.” The company was founded in Maine by a ceramic artist. Artist & Craftsman Supply has grown into one of the largest independent art supply retailers, with stores largely operated by working artists and focused on strong relationships with the creative community, including schools and organizations such as the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. In her role, Ms. Matsuda is committed to continuing that emphasis on connection and community building.
Matthew McLaughlin ’01 quickly became part of Charleston’s design scene after graduating from the College and went on to open his flagship store, Well Furnished, now known for its thoughtfully curated furniture, art, jewelry, and gifts. The store is highly regarded by Charleston-area interior designers and homebuyers. His eye for design developed early through visits to auctions and antique malls with his family and while working at his mother’s interior design studio. While at the College, he earned a BA in French and international business.
🎙️The winningest coach in Charleston history, Angelo Anastopoulo joins "On the Prowl with Charleston Athletics" to talk 35 years of @CofCTennis
"On the Prowl with Charleston Athletics" is available on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
https://t.co/1MsuUqq5iq
Join alumni, friends, and supporters of Cougar Nation on Friday, May 1, for Viva Chuck Vegas - the newest Spring Alumni Weekend event!
The evening features Vegas-style games, delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, beer & wine; and lounge acts featuring crooning from a trio of current students backed by a vocalist and a big band orchestra comprising alumni, and musicians from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra backing three alumni vocalists.
May 1, 2026
TD Arena
7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
$100 per ticket
Attire: whatever you’re wearing!
To register: https://t.co/ddbxZu4zur
We hope to see you there!
Ellison Wofford ’13 recently launched her company, Susurrus Sparkling Teas. While at the College, she earned a BS in business administration and began her career in Napa’s wine industry, working across multiple stages of the business and laying the foundation for becoming a solo female founder. As a 500-hour-certified yoga instructor, she developed a passion for wellness that ultimately led her to explore tea after discovering the similarities between wine and tea. Overall, her company is inspired by her passion for the wine industry as she describes her product as wine’s “sober sister” and markets it as an alternative beverage, not necessarily a substitute, but a choice for people who enjoy the same complexities as wine.
Kyle Barretto ’25 always imagined himself following a traditional path as a software engineer, but he recently accepted a position as the first Generative AI Engineer at Siemens SI EP NA, pioneering the next steps in Applied and Industrial AI across all U.S. plants. A first-generation student who immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 11, he earned both a BS in computer science and an MS in computer and information sciences while running a side business as a personal stylist. He is also developing his first clothing line.
Alaysha Maple ’21 was recently named Journalist of the Year by the South Carolina Press Association, marking the first time a Sumter Item reporter has received the honor. She is also the first Black woman to earn this award in its history. Her reporting spans breaking news, feature storytelling, investigative work, and community events, and she is recognized for her leadership as next-gen news editor, her collaboration with student groups, and her commitment to investing in community members. While at the College, Ms. Maple earned her BA in communication.
Charlotte Sparkes ’25 was accepted into the Operations Management Program at Gallo, the largest family-owned wine producer in the world. Through this competitive three-year program, Ms. Sparkes rotates through four positions to gain leadership, management, and technical expertise while being immersed in multiple areas of supply chain operations. In her first rotation as Harvest Team Lead, she managed twelve temporary employees and supervised crush operations. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, “Understanding the mind helps explain workplace dynamics and why people make certain business decisions, whether on a small or large scale.” While at the College, Ms. Sparkes earned her BS in supply chain management.
Jeffery Wall ’04 recently accepted a role at Washington State University as its new Indigenous-focused horticulturist, where he is studying the traditional practices of the state’s first peoples and exploring how those practices can nourish communities and help repair the environment. Throughout his career, Mr. Wall has worked with First Nation members in Canada as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Guelph and led research at the University of Turku in Finland, examining culture and off-farm migration among olive-growing communities in Turkey and Morocco. While many horticulturists concentrate on a specific area of study, Mr. Wall’s career reflects a broader, anthropological approach to understanding the relationship between plants and culture. While at the College, he earned his BA in anthropology.
Jacob “Jake” Kozmor ’23 founded Koz Films during his freshman year at the College, which has since grown into an award-winning production company recognized for its cinematic creativity and compelling brand storytelling for local and national businesses. His passion for filmmaking began in middle school, where he documented his fishing trips on camera, and by high school, he was interning with media companies and contributing to award-winning news productions. Deeply rooted in collaboration within the Charleston community, Koz Films works with a broad range of audiences, including projects connected to BravoTV’s Southern Charm cast. Mr. Kozmor is also actively involved in the Charleston marketing community, serving on the Board of the Charleston American Marketing Association and working closely with the collegiate chapter. While at the College, he earned his BS in business administration.
Dana Edwards ’94 was recently appointed Mayor of Narberth, PA. Mr. Edwards began his career in product and technology development and academia. He currently serves as Group Chief Technology Officer for Simply Business, based in London, UK. He earned his MBA from Queens University of Charlotte in 2005. While at the College, he earned his BS in chemistry and computer science. He and his wife, Miranda, reside in Narberth, PA, with their three children.
Emily Fralinger ’10 developed Propperly, a property-management app she originally created to manage her own rental portfolio and ease the stress caused by the many small details involved in owning multiple properties. She is also the Chief Operating Officer at Icebox, a national experiential marketing firm. When she first joined the company, she oversaw special events and large-scale weddings; however, she and her boss later decided to refocus the brand away from experiential events. This shift helped spark the idea for Propperly, as Ms. Fralinger was managing six properties in Charleston and struggling to keep track of the details associated with each one. The app now includes practical features such as onboarding and tap-and-track expense tracking. While at the College, she earned her BS in business administration and hospitality and tourism management.
Michael Broderick ’10 is the head of the AI and Web3 ecosystem for the NEAR Foundation in New York City. While working at the Apple Store on King Street, he discovered his passion for technology and its role in cultivating community and connection. His experience in finance at Bloomberg in Hong Kong further shaped his understanding of how technology can empower and connect people on a global scale. This path led him to roles at Fireblocks and Amazon Web Services, where his work has focused less on building products and more on building trust. While at the College, Mr. Broderick earned a BA in anthropology and religious studies, which played a pivotal role in his people-first perspective on technology and community building.
Alicia Johnson ’11 is a certified photogrammetrist and PADI underwater photography instructor based in Alexandria, Egypt, where she conducts research and dives in the Red Sea and Mediterranean. She works with Accupixel and PicSea, managing digital engagement and providing consulting services. Most importantly, her work focuses on the preservation of underwater cultural heritage. Ms. Johnson is driven by her passion for archaeology and leverages technology to collaborate with researchers worldwide, presenting at conferences and publishing research while working with the Honor Frost Foundation and the Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology. While at the College, she earned her BA in classics and history.