91²Ö¿â

Each year, 91²Ö¿âfaculty, staff, alumni, and community members are asked to nominate outstanding graduates for the Alumni Awards, an annual celebration recognizing the impact our grads are making on society. From these nominations, the Alumni Board selects recipients who serve as role models in their community and personify the values and mission of the College. Once the top Tars are chosen, they’re recognized by their peers during Alumni Weekend—to be held March 27-30.

This year’s award winners include graduates who have made significant contributions in everything from education and marketing to public health and cultural preservation. Here’s a closer look at this year’s Alumni Award recipients and their extraordinary efforts to lead meaningful lives and productive careers.

Fred Rogers Global Citizenship Award

In honor of beloved alumnus Fred Rogers ’51 ’74H, this award recognizes prominent alumni who exemplify the 91²Ö¿âmission of global citizenship and responsible leadership through their extraordinary achievements and impact on society.

Tina Marie Osceola ’89

Executive Director of Operations and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Seminole Tribe of Florida

A proud member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Tina Marie Osceola has worked to defend her ancestors and her tribe’s cultural and historic resources for more than 20 years. She majored in political science at 91²Ö¿âand went on to earn a master’s in public administration from Nova Southeastern University. Osceola has served the Seminole Tribe in many capacities, including as an associate trial judge on the first Tribal Court.

Osceola is a lifetime member of the National Congress of American Indians and shares her voice via several national boards, including the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, and the Southeast Tourism Society.

Distinguished Alumni Award

Recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding success and achieved remarkable distinction through their professional accomplishments

Patricia Winters Levesque ’95MBA

CEO, Foundation for Excellence in Education

With more than 25 years of leadership experience in education policy and public service, Patricia Winters Levesque currently serves as the CEO of the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd), a nonprofit organization focused on advancing a broad range of student-centered policy solutions that are increasing student learning, eliminating inequities, and readying graduates for college and careers.

Levesque previously worked in state leadership positions on education policy, including as deputy chief of staff for Gov. Jeb Bush and as a top education advisor for the Florida Legislature. Additionally, she serves on the board of Khan Academy and on advisory boards for Harvard University’s Center for Education Policy Research, the Hoover Education Success Initiative Practitioner Council, and Teach for America’s School Systems Practitioner’s Council.

Young Alumni Achievement Award

Recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of alumni who graduated within the past 10 years

Connor Celentano ’18

Project Manager, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

During the last semester of Connor Celentano’s master’s program in public health, COVID shut down the world, presenting public health professionals with great challenge and opportunity. In June 2020, Celentano began working as a laboratory coordination lead for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, helping ensure that vulnerable populations had access to testing and eventually managing the vaccine rollout. Today, the environmental studies major serves as a project manager for the same agency, where he continues to work on a broad range of critical public health initiatives and apply his experience in clinical research on the relationship between exposure and outcome.

Alumni Service Award

Recognizes alumni who provide exceptional leadership to the College and their community through volunteerism and service activities

Eric Marshall ’91

Senior Vice President, North American Destination Sales, Universal Destinations and Experiences

Alongside a prolific career in sales and marketing at Universal Orlando Resort, Eric Marshall has served as a steadfast steward of both 91²Ö¿âand the greater Orlando community. A former president of the 91²Ö¿âAlumni Board, Marshall increased alumni engagement through his leadership efforts for the College and continues to serve as a mentor to 91²Ö¿âstudents while building ties between Universal and 91²Ö¿âthrough the Career Champions program. Additionally, Marshall serves on the tourism board of Orlando, supporting initiatives to bring people to the city he loves, and as vice chair of the board of directors for Visit Florida, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation.