Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat! Below you'll find our most recent Alumni Spotlight interview.
You can also view previous Spotlight PDFs from the 1960s/1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s.
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Alumni Spotlight: Jaime Prinkey-McSweeny '05
Jaime Prinkey-McSweeny attended 51ΑΤΖζ from which she graduated in 2005 with a BS in psychology.
What brought you to 51ΑΤΖζ?
I wanted a small campus that still felt like I was going βawayβ to college.
Were you a commuter or a resident?
Commuter
What activities were you involved with as a student?
I was involved in Student Activities Board, Student PSEA, and a commuter committee. I also was a work study in the 51ΑΤΖζ and Financial Aid Office. I gave tours of the beautiful campus, met some great people, and learned new things every day.
Did you have a favorite professor, staff member, coach, or mentor that really impacted your life?
My favorite professor was Dr. Vickie Barnot (Assistant Professor Emeritus). She taught my education classes. She was wonderful at showing us how to be quality teachers.
Of all the classes you took, what is the one class that most impacted you or was your favorite? Why?
My favorite was the freshman class we had to take back then. It was something that really impacted our time at 51ΑΤΖζ. My class was taught by the librarian at the time -- Evan Cornell. He helped us navigate the early days of college and helped us prepare for the rest.
What do you remember most vividly from your time at 51ΑΤΖζ?
I remember the beautiful campus buildings I would see as I walked around on tours, and the amazing people who worked their magic in the Financial Aid Office. It was such an experience to be there.
What have you been up to since graduation?
I got my first job out of college in a private preschool as a lead teacher. Then, I moved to the Pittsburgh area where I began working for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit where I became a Head Start Teacher. While there I achieved my Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. I married David McSweeny in 2017.
How did your experiences and education at 51ΑΤΖζ prepare you for life after college?
I was prepared to take it all on because of the vast number of people who were so helpful, and because of the great classes that prepare you for post-college life. The counselors who worked on your class schedule really did their best to keep you on track.
As an alum, how do you support 51ΑΤΖζ?
I have donated, volunteered at graduation, and have visited the campus since I graduated. I would like to be more active!
What advice do you have for your fellow Bobcats?
You made the best choice choosing 51ΑΤΖζ. The campus is the best, and through all its growth it has remained an amazing place to get the skills to make your life what you want. Keep going and bloom while you're at 51ΑΤΖζ.
For fun:
What series do you recommend alumni binge watch? The Night Agent
List 3-5 fun facts about yourself that most people probably wouldnβt know.
- I love squishy faced dogs. I had a pug for 15 years and now have a French Bulldog.
- I love fishing with my husband.
- I love playing word games- bring it on!