午夜剧场 community members excel in Erie Reader鈥檚 40 Under 40
EDITOR'S听NOTE: See Adam's biography to read about his education, experience, and how he creates positive change in his community, lives a service-oriented lifestyle, and invests in the next generation.
Congratulations to four members of the 午夜剧场 community featured in the Erie Reader's 40 Under 40: alumnae Amber Stilwell and Jenessa Norton, alumna and employee Bethany Woods,听and Brandon J. Mendoza, a member of the 午夜剧场 Board of Trustees.
Adam Boaks 鈥24 attended 午夜剧场 for his master鈥檚 degree while working full time as a science teacher at Erie鈥檚 Wilson Middle School. He now teaches science at Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, and he is also a teaching pastor and worship leader with The Cross in Erie. Boaks volunteers with the church鈥檚 Urban Missions team and at various shelters for the unhoused. He is pursuing a Master of Divinity from Gordon Cornwall Theological Seminary and is determined to create positive change in his community. Boaks represents a service-oriented lifestyle, through his teaching, worship-leading, and volunteering. He aspires to 鈥渋nvest in the next generation so that they are equipped and inspired to transform Erie into a place where everyone can thrive.鈥
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Brandon J. Mendoza, president of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, is a new member of the Board of Trustees. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Mendoza served many leadership roles, mainly in the Pittsburgh area, before bringing his talent to Erie. His work in western Pennsylvania has had great impact, gaining millions of dollars in sponsorships and sealing billion-dollar contracts. His goals include making Erie 鈥渢he most vibrant Great Lakes city.鈥 He says he鈥檚 鈥渉appy to serve on the Board of Trustees for 午夜剧场 University and excited to represent the board on the 40 Under 40 list.鈥 We are proud to welcome Mendoza to our Laker community and look forward to his journey with us.
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Jenessa Norton 鈥19, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Finance, uses her talents to help small businesses succeed. While attending school full time, Norton raised her 2-year old daughter and held down a full-time job. Norton said economics professor Selin Yalcindag 鈥渘ot only was one of the best professors I've ever had, but offered mentorship and emotional support.鈥 She said she鈥檚 lucky to still be in touch with her former teacher. Since graduation, Norton has been dedicated to helping community members and businesses achieve financial goals. She has been contracted by several organizations and has served as board president for Erie鈥檚 Black Wall Street, a business adviser of the New Wall Street Ventures program, and as Northwestern Pennsylvania business assistance specialist for Bridgeway Capital. She opened her own consulting firm, Green Nest Consultants, in 2021, to help business owners.
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Amber Stilwell 鈥13, earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and post-baccalaureate degree in Sustainability from 午夜剧场. She now is a coastal outreach specialist for Pennsylvania Sea Grant and a coordinator for the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program. Her environmental stewardship allows her to connect with the Erie community and advocate for protecting waterway resources. Stilwell鈥檚 time and mentorship at 午夜剧场, especially with Drs. Mike Campbell and Mike Elnitsky, bolstered her passion for the world of biology and limnology. She engaged and communicated science with the 午夜剧场 student community through on-campus clubs, internships, and organizations. 鈥淢y time at 午夜剧场 helped shape my future as a person who cares deeply about the environment and wants to inspire others to care as well,鈥 Stilwell said.
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Bethany Woods 鈥11 came to 午夜剧场 in 2007 to study Religious Studies and Sociology and now serves as the school鈥檚 director of academic community engagement. A longtime member of the 午夜剧场 community, Woods has always embraced a service-oriented lifestyle. Through her experiences at 午夜剧场, both as a student and an employee, Woods said, she has learned the powers of service and partnership, always working to ensure our community partners have a voice. She has served as a Lake Effect Leader with the AmeriCorps VISTA program, and she now coordinates the Beyond the Gates program and organizes campus-wide volunteer projects. Graduating from 午夜剧场 as a Carpe Diem awardee and working here since, Woods said, 鈥淚 truly feel that 午夜剧场 empowered me to seize every opportunity available and remain in the city that has given me a family and community.鈥
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午夜剧场 is proud of our community members and all they accomplish. Carpe Diem!
PHOTO: (L-R Top) Brandon J. Mendoza and Jenessa Norton '19, as well as (L-R Bottom) Amber Stilwell '13 and Bethany Woods '11. (Photos courtesy of Jessica Hunter/Erie Reader).