This Saturday we will celebrate the accomplishments of over 200 graduates participating in our Graduate Commencement Ceremony. As Dean Angela Canda shared in the May 2025 Graduate School newsletter, "Every one one of our graduating students deserve a round of applause, whether from a newer or long-standing master's program. Take a moment to recognize just how far you've come. The journey through graduate school is not an easy one - and we're proud of you and all you've accomplished."
We asked the Class of 2025 to share what they’ve learned as a Â鶹Éç graduate student and what they plan to take with them as they launch their inspired futures, spotlighting the inaugural cohorts of theĚýMaster of Science in Exercise PhysiologyĚýandĚýMaster of Science in Applied Behavior AnalysisĚýprograms. These 11 graduate students highlight a fraction of the impact our students will make. – Onward, On!
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When Erica Berent, '25G learned Â鶹Éç had a M.S. in Biology program with faculty that researched her passion and niche, herpetology, she knew she “had to apply.” Throughout her 2-year JCU experience, she was able to “hone her scientific research skills, become a better scientist, and mentor undergraduate scientists through both her work in her research lab and as a teaching assistant.”
Erica stepped out of her comfort zone by focusing her thesis research on tropical poison frogs (involving several types of lab work–chemistry, microbiology, etc.), which allowed her to “gain experience in a wide range of skills that will aid her in her future career.” Other influential experiences include her field research trip (through her tropical field biology class) to Costa Rica, participating in the JCU Graduate School’s 3-minute thesis competition, and presenting her research (with her JCU lab and biology departments’ support!) at a herpetology conference.
Upon reflection, Erica’s biggest takeaway is her professional growth in communicating her research– it has allowed her “to be more confident in herself as a scientist and become more engaged with the scientific community.” After graduation, Erica plans to enter the “working world” as a career scientist in either a laboratory or field setting, so that she can continue doing what she loves– science!
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Over the course of three years in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, Lyn Bruno, '25G learned to balance a great deal. As a working mom, wife, full-time graduate student and researcher, liaison to the Ohio Counseling Association, and member of the international counseling honor society Chi Sigma Iota – Beta Chi Chapter, she found the juggling act challenging at times. But through the program—and with the support of faculty and peers—she ultimately came to appreciate the importance of prioritizing self-care and nurturing relationships, skills she plans to foster in others as a counseling practitioner.
Lyn’s interest in counseling began during her time as a detox counselor at a local addiction treatment center. There, she recognized that many clients were struggling with underlying mental health issues and felt called to address the addiction epidemic on a deeper level.
Her commitment to serving individuals facing addiction and trauma was strengthened through intentional field placements, including at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Reflecting on the experience, Lyn shared, “My practicum and internship allowed me to see clients from all walks of life who helped me stay grounded. My experience at JCU has exceeded my expectations of what graduate school was supposed to be.”
Following graduation, Lyn hopes to continue working with addiction and trauma populations. She also aims to broaden her practice through advocacy, research, and further training in emerging therapeutic modalities such as Mindfulness, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
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For the past six years, Erica Esper '23, '25G has shared her gifts with the Â鶹Éç community as a dedicated student-athlete, assistant cross-country/track & field coach, graduate assistant, and researcher. She leaves JCU as a mentor, teammate, and friend to many.
When deciding to return for graduate studies, Erica wanted to “meet the world’s biggest problem with her biggest passion”—helping others in exercise, wellness, and performance. Inspired by her undergraduate advisor, Dr. Jackie Zera, who was launching a new master’s program, she joined the inaugural cohort of the M.S. in Exercise Physiology program. Continuing her collegiate athletic career was an added bonus, thanks to remaining NCAA eligibility.
Early in the program, Erica faced an athletic career-ending injury. True to form, she pivoted with purpose—channeling her expertise in exercise science into a new role as a volunteer coach for JCU’s Track & Field mid-distance/distance team. This season she supported practices, meets, recruiting, and developed data-informed strength routines. A summer internship at the Cleveland Clinic’s Exercise is Medicine Clinic further confirmed her calling, blending coaching, relationship-building, and exercise science - she even contributed to several “success stories” that the Clinic plans to publish soon.
“The JCU experience shaped me into who I am today through challenging me to strive for excellence, in all areas-- academically, athletically, and spiritually." Erica credits faculty mentors within the Exercise Science & Sports Leadership Department including Dr. Zera and Dr. Turner with a special shout out to Dr. Welki, her collegiate coach - Kyle Basista, peers, teammates, and the broader JCU community for helping her to become a stronger, more confident "woman for others.”
Erica plans to become a collegiate cross-country/track & field coach. But first, she’s taking a well-earned summer off working as a barista and traveling to Banff, Canada with former teammates.
Special Note: Erica served as the Graduate Assistant for the Office of the Graduate School. We’re forever grateful for her kind-hearted leadership and service. We truly lucked out—Onward, On!
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Hayley Getz '25G is passionate about working with children with autism and their families. As she explored the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), she came to understand its power in improving communication, behavior, and independence for individuals with autism—prompting her to join the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program at Â鶹Éç.
As a graduate student in the program’s inaugural cohort, Hayley found a community of supportive faculty, rigorous coursework, and a strong emphasis on ethical care. She also discovered the value of mentorship. Haley credits Professor Jackie Sura’s steady guidance as especially impactful. “I learned so much from Professor Sura and the other faculty while in the program,” she shared. “I hope to continue learning from them as I grow in this field. One day, I hope to give back by being the kind of mentor to others that they were to me.”
Since February 2024, Haley has worked at Achievement Centers for Children, a nonprofit based in Westlake, Ohio, dedicated to empowering children and adults with disabilities to achieve their potential—a connection she made through JCU. This hands-on experience allowed her to directly apply the tools and techniques she was learning in the classroom. From behavior intervention strategies to data collection, Hayley reflected, “Seeing the impact of those skills in real time made my education feel purposeful and truly rewarding.”
Following graduation, Hayley will continue her work with Centers for Children while pursuing licensure as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
“JCU challenged me to think critically, lead with compassion, and stay grounded in service—values that I will carry with me throughout my career.”
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Halle Landies '24, '25G takes a creative, compassionate approach to everything she does. While many associate Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with autism studies, Halle saw its potential to support her broader goal: a career with the FBI. As an intern with the FBI Honors Internship Program, working on the violent crimes squad in Cleveland, she developed a strong foundation in behavioral assessment, research design, and ethical service delivery.
Through this experience, paired with the required fieldwork built into the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program, Halle found that “both the clinical and investigative environments played a central role in shaping the kind of ethical, data-driven, and service-oriented behavior analyst I aspire to be.”
Over her four years at Â鶹Éç, Halle served the community as a women’s basketball student-athlete, a Morgan’s Message ambassador for mental health advocacy, and most recently as a graduate student was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the international Jesuit honor society for academic excellence and service.
“Whether in the classroom, in the field, or through extracurricular involvement, John Carroll taught me that true leadership means prioritizing the well-being of others, making ethical decisions, and committing to lifelong learning,” she said. “The ABA program challenged me to think critically, ethically, and compassionately.”
After graduation, Halle will continue working with the FBI while pursuing licensure as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. She also plans to coach middle and high school basketball in her free time.
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“My biggest takeaway from being at JCU will easily be the work ethic that I have developed.”
The M.S. in Exercise Physiology program at Â鶹Éç instilled that work ethic in Tom Marjak '23, '25G as he pursued certification as an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP). This nationally recognized certification requires not only a master’s degree but also at least 600 hours of supervised clinical experience and the successful completion of a licensure exam.
Tom worked toward those clinical hours through an internship built into the program curriculum. He earned a placement with the Cleveland Clinic at the Langston Hughes Exercise is Medicine Clinic, where he had the opportunity to work with individuals with a variety of clinical needs. In addition to prescribing personalized exercise programs, he gained valuable experience navigating medical databases and using advanced diagnostic and training equipment—enhancing both his clinical skills and professional portfolio.
Despite the rigorous demands of the program, Tom felt consistently supported by his professors.
Ěý“The professors within this department truly want the best for your individual growth and career,” he said.
After graduation, Tom plans to continue his work with the Cleveland Clinic as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist.
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By the time Jackson Marriner '25G graduated from the University of Miami (Florida) with a degree in biology and marine science, he knew he wanted to become a high school science teacher. His experiences in coaching and mentorship helped solidify that decision. Ready to dive in, he searched for a graduate program that would prepare him for the classroom as soon as possible.
The M.Ed. with Initial Licensure School-Based program enabled Jackson to earn his teaching license in under a year. He was paired with Ms. Lauren Coil, a physics teacher at Hawken Upper School, as his mentor. During the fall semester, Jackson began by observing Ms. Coil’s classes and gradually transitioned to team-teaching physics and related subjects. By the spring, he had taken on a full teaching load under her expert guidance. Over the course of the academic year, Jackson gained firsthand experience in what it takes to be an effective educator.
One of his biggest takeaways was the importance of building a sense of community with peers. Completing a master’s degree and earning a teaching license in just eleven months is no small feat. Jackson credits the support of his cohort and mentor teacher for helping him navigate the challenges of coursework, lesson planning, testing, and the job search.
Jackson will begin teaching science at North Ridgeville High School in North Ridgeville, Ohio, for the 2025–2026 school year. He feels prepared and confident:
Ěý“The M.Ed. School-Based Program efficiently provided me with the academic and professional preparation I needed to transition into teaching.”
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“JCU gave me the confidence and direction to pursue a career where I can make a real difference in people’s lives.”
Growing up, Hailey Mekruit '23, '25G “discovered a real passion for exercise and staying active.” During her undergraduate degree at JCU (B.A. Exercise Science), she furthered this passion by working as both a coach and personal trainer– this is where she realized exercise was “more than just a hobby.” It became clear that “this was the path [she] wanted to follow and turn into a career.”
The John Carroll M.S. in Exercise Physiology program enabled Hailey to cultivate this passion through connecting her to field professionals, earning her an internship with the Cleveland Clinic at the Langston Hughes Exercise as Medicine Clinic. She was able to build meaningful relationships with community members – meeting them where they were, supporting their growth, and helping them work toward their goals.
Hailey’s undergraduate and graduate experiences helped her to find clarity in her passion and how she wants to use it– her overall biggest takeaway from JCU. The John Carroll community encouraged her to grow in-and-out of the classroom in every way, through hands-on experiences and mentors who “genuinely cared.”Ěý
After graduation, Hailey will begin her career as an exercise physiologist and is “eager to apply [her] education and skills to help people improve their health and physical well-being,” while striving to pursue further education and certifications in the field.
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Prior to entering his third season as Head Coach of the John Carroll Men’s Soccer program, Dejan Mladenovic '06, '25G decided to show his leadership in an untraditional way– by entering the Sports Leadership Master’s Program. Dejan emphasizes that “the players in the men’s soccer program know how much I value their education…this was an opportunity to show that commitment through action.”
Through the program, Dejan was able to use the men’s soccer program as the foundation for his projects and presentations; this allowed him to “study every layer [of the program], from leadership and culture to logistics and performance.” He exclaims that “it pushed me to think critically and intentionally about how we operate, and as a result, it’s helped shape a clearer vision for how we continue to grow and elevate every aspect of what we do.”
Now, as he looks towards graduation, Dejan reflects on the program and his time (thus far) at JCU. “The JCU experience has truly shaped me because of the people,” he says. “It’s a community that feels like family. From day one, 23 years ago, I’ve felt supported by colleagues, mentors, and students who genuinely care about who you are and what you’re striving for.” Dejan’s biggest takeaway from being at JCU is that “you get out of it what you put into it– the more time, energy, and intention you invest in the [JCU] experience, the more meaningful and rewarding it becomes.”
After graduation, Dejan will continue to lead at JCU as Head Coach for the Men’s Soccer program and Assistant Athletic Director for Special Projects. He looks forward to spending more quality time with his wife, Kit, and his two sons, Luka and Nikola.
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“I became more confident in my ability and many opportunities have come from what I learned while in my program.”
Allan Ong '25G worked full-time as a marketing coordinator at Millcraft, a wholesale paper distributor, while pursuing his M.S. in Digital Marketing and Communication Strategy at Â鶹Éç. He found strong synergy between work and school, noting that “a lot of the concepts and teachings from the classroom came up at work.”
An artist and designer in his free time, Allan brings a unique perspective to digital marketing. His creative eye helps him integrate compelling visual elements into brand storytelling for Millcraft as well as in his personal artistic endeavors.
He began the program with the goal of learning how to better market himself as an artist. Upon graduation, Allan joked that he’s looking forward to not having homework—but he’s also excited to apply the skills he gained to further his career in the arts.
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The faculty at Â鶹Éç made a lasting impact on Roni Peleg’s undergraduate ('23) and graduate ('25G) experience. She was shaped by professors and advisors who took a genuine interest in her academic and personal growth, offering mentorship, encouragement, and individualized support. Her undergraduate Psychology advisor introduced her to the broad applications of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), inspiring her to join the inaugural cohort of the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program two years ago.
“Having faculty who truly cared not just about my performance, but about my development as a person helped shape my confidence, resilience, and passion for making a meaningful impact in the field.”
Roni’s fieldwork at Friendship Circle of Cleveland in Pepper Pike, Ohio gave her the opportunity to make a real difference as a graduate student. The organization supports children of all abilities, their families, and Jewish teens through connection and community. There, she applied what she learned in the program to support her clients—and in the classroom she found a collaborative, encouraging environment among her peers that enhanced her skills as a behavior analyst. The hands-on experience paired with the intentional reflection and feedback found in the classroom helped Roni to develop a strong foundation in evidence-based practice, discipline, and empathy.
After graduation, Roni will attend the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, continuing her journey to serve others through compassionate care.
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Congratulations to the Class of 2025 and “caps off” to all our faculty, staff, and mentors who shared in your journey.