Updates from Alumni

We post updates from alumni and friends as we receive them. Use our handy online form to send us your news! 

You might also want to check out our departmental news listing for longer stories about our alumni.

Nancy Whitehead Brockman ’72  Master's Social Work, 1986, Virginia Commonwealth University. Mental Health Therapist in private practice since 1996, at Peace of Mind in Madison Heights, VA, since 2000. Married with 2 sons. Oldest son, Michael Kincaid Brockman, graduated W&M 2009. (10/2011)

Christen Bradley ’06  I am currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Georgia with an expected gradation date of May 2012--I'm hard at work on my dissertation! I am currently on the job market, so I will hopefully be working in sociology and spreading the W&M love at a new university. I also have a paper forthcoming in Social Forces that came out of my M.A. work. Just wanted to share all of this so that the department had the record of a graduate continuing on in sociology--I know that can matter for accreditation, etc. Thanks! (10/2011)

Deborah Parker ’77  Deborah is the author of the newly released book, Navigating Life's Roadways; Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey. Chronicling her life's setbacks and successes with metaphorical narratives, this book speaks to the plethora of situations we all face around family, career, relationships, choices, loss, community or health. Growing up during the pre- civil rights area in southern Virginia, this book also provides a wonderful history lesson about the struggles and victories in race relations, education and gender equity as Deborah shares her experiences in her hometown, William and Mary, the army and corporate venues. She is also the owner of The DPJ Training Group, where she provides training programs on leadership development, communications and cultural diversity for federal and private sector clients. (9/2011)

Avina Ross ’09  I've recently accepted a position with the VA Department of Health through the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, as the State Coordinator for local domestic violence fatality review teams. Just 2 months into the position, I've learned so much. Dr. Virginia Powell, who has taught at W&M, is my supervisor and a strong mentor. I am finishing up my Master's in Sociology at VCU this academic year. This semester, I am also tasked as an intern for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, to examine the relationship between domestic violence and suicide in Virginia. I plan to graduate Spring 2012 and continue to work as an advocate for victims of sexual and domestic violence, both as a researcher and state employee. (Yippee!) (8/2011)

Julie Price ’07  Just wanted to let the Soc. dept. know that I have started in a new development associate position at the National Women's Law Center in D.C. (7/2011)

Allyson Ross ’06  Began dancing with the Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater in May 2010 ( a Contemporary Ballet/Modern Dance company). In fall 2010, she will be running the gifted education program at a Las Vegas Charter School and will be in the process of creating an Arts in Education partnership between the Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater and the School. (7/2010)