Four years out of Fredonia, alumni return to share their career journeys in Writers@Work series

Four successful alumni from the Class of 2014 will return to Fredonia to discuss their post-graduation paths and share tips about professional writing at the second annual Four Years Out residency, from Thursday through Saturday, April 5 to 7, as part of the Writers@Work: Alumni Writers-in-Residence series.

Erin Dorozynski	Sylvana Dussan
Patrick Kennedy	Courtney Gfroerer

Over three days packed with talks, class visits, a hands-on workshop and informal conversation, Erin Dorozynski, management development program coordinator at GEICO in Buffalo; Sylvana Dussan, social media coordinator at the National Governors Association in Washington, D.C.; Courtney Gfroerer, coordinator of public relations, marketing and communication projects at Elderwood Administrative Services, Buffalo; and Patrick Kennedy, communications director for New York State Assembly Member Monica Wallace (D-Lancaster), will share their post-graduation journeys.

Each will explore how their own experiences, both in and beyond classrooms at Fredonia, prepared them for success in their respective fields. Special emphasis will be given to the strategic use of social media – and the importance of professional writing more generally – in a variety of corporate and public sector occupations.

This year’s contingent reflects the broadest range of majors and careers in the history of the Writers@Work series that has brought 15 alumni writers to campus since 2016.

“How to Succeed Four Years Out: Advice from Recent Graduates,” on Thursday, 7 p.m., in the Science Center Kelly Family Auditorium and atrium, will feature alumni discussing their post-graduation paths and answering questions from the audience. Some emphasis will be given to writing for social media as well as print and online spaces.

“How to Craft a Successful Social Media Strategy,” a student-only writing workshop, will be held on Friday, 2 p.m. in the Fenton Hall English Reading Room. Alumni will discuss the role of social media in their professions and share tips for crafting a successful social media strategy. Students interested in writing for other media are encouraged to attend as well and pose questions during the Q&A session.

“Grab & Go: Open Office Hours with Young Alumni,” on Friday, 3 p.m. in the Fenton Hall English Reading Room (127), will provide an opportunity for students to have an informal conversation with these young alumni and with staff of the Career Development Office, a co-sponsor of the event, on how to land that first job after college. Pizza will be served.

“Ask the Alumni,” on Saturday, 1 p.m. at a table in the Steele Hall Fieldhouse, will enable prospective Fredonia students and family members to ask these young alumni about their experiences at Fredonia and the value of a Fredonia degree in the professional world.

In her position at GEICO, Ms. Dorozynski is responsible for the professional development of approximately 50 future leaders at GEICO. She was hired for this prestigious program, which recruits individuals who exhibit natural leadership traits and academic prowess, before graduation.

Dorozynski, who majored in Business Administration, had minors in Leadership Studies and Economics. She served terms as president and vice president of Student Association, was a member of the Fredonia College Foundation Board of Directors and vice president of FSA.

Promoting the nation’s governors and the issues of concern to states through social media and traditional media is the focus of Ms. Dussan’s position with the National Governors Association. Dussan previously worked in the departments of communication at the Council on Foreign Relations and the European Union offices in Washington, D.C.

Dussan, who majored in International Studies, had minors in Communication, History and Political Science. She served as editor-in-chief of The Leader, was president and a founding member of the International Club and a member of the Model European Union and Colleges Against Cancer, as well as a student ambassador.

Managing publicity for all 26 Elderwood skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities across New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island is the charge of Ms. Gfroerer. She previously served as a marketing and community impact specialist at a small non-profit in Buffalo for over a year and worked full-time as the team photographer for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League.

Gfroerer is currently pursuing a M.A. in social and public policy, with a concentration in healthcare management. At Fredonia, she was managing editor of The Leader and a member of the swim team and the campus chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Developing strategic communications with local and state media and coordinating constituent services are duties of Mr. Kennedy, who majored in Political Science. As president of the Class of 2014, Kennedy directed the Senior Challenge Committee and organized fundraisers for the class gift. Following graduation, he has been active in local and state government in Buffalo.

Writers@Work is a joint initiative of Admissions, Alumni Affairs, Career Development Office, Fredonia College Foundation and the departments of Business, Communication, English, History and Theatre and Dance. It is supported by FSA, Fredonia Alumni Association, the Fredonia College Foundation’s Carnahan-Jackson Humanities Fund and the Mary Louise White Fund. The Four Years Out residency is also sponsored by the Convocation Committee, with funding from the President’s Office and FSA.