National Alumni Board

The National Alumni Board (NAB) is an organization within the CBU Alumni Association that supports the professional, social, and scholarly needs of all current and future alumni and fosters their lifelong relationship with Christian Brothers University. The NAB represents alumni interests to the University, promotes and supports its strategic initiatives, and actively encourages financial and philanthropic donations to CBU by alumni.

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE NATIONAL ALUMNI BOARD? Apply Here!

DR. CARMEN C. COLEMAN (’01, ‘05)

Dr. Carmen C. Coleman is a native Memphian whose background has been rooted in strong family ties, faith, and the local community. As an undergrad at CBU, she excelled in her courses in the Education Department. She led an active student life as a Cheer Captain, Chapter President of the Rho Gamma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a Peer Counselor, and Resident Assistant.

Carmen graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development 2001. She began teaching career at Snowden School in Midtown Memphis. She blossomed as a young educator, promoting respect, inclusion, and quality education for all students. Her passion for learning extended to every student to ensure an instructional foundation was made. There was also a commitment to focus on empowering the students, because Carmen wanted her students to be able to use the skills in the real-world.

After receiving a Master of Science in Educational Leadership in 2005 from CBU, she continued to use her talents in other areas of Snowden School by working on the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Team (PBIS). She led the team with teachers, counselors, and other stakeholders to promote a culturally sensitive environment that taught expectations and responded to social behavior justly.

Carmen also understood that turnaround schools in the Memphis area faced unique challenges, including economic and academic disadvantages. She saw the greater responsibility to share her talents and time to serve other communities as she did at Snowden School as the Founding Dean of Students at Frayser Achievement Elementary School and Dean of Instruction for Humes Preparatory Academy Middle School (Gestalt Community Schools). She promoted opportunities to use time, human resources, and intensive data analysis to make decisions with other educators, parents, and students. It was part of her goal to build an inclusive environment where any “label” or “identifier” would not define one’s ability or future.

In 2015, Carmen opened her own charter school, Power Center Academy Elementary School (Gestalt Community Schools). Each scholar’s unique journey began with acceptance and commitment to promoting a high-quality education in the community. Students and parents were engaged in monthly content-rich learning tasks, field experiences, and data conversations. Several accommodations (including audio and visuals) were integrated to sustain high levels of participation.

In July 2017, Carmen accepted an executive role as the Director of Data, Analysis, and Assessments for a six-school charter network. Her passion to “teach, promote, and empower others” remained at the forefront. Carmen’s partnership with Su Casa Family Ministries is featured in the organization’s 2020-21 impact report. It summarized her culminating research, “Understanding Adult ESL Volunteer Teachers: An Analysis of Experiences and Professional Needs,” that speaks directly to Su Casa’s mission for the organization-connect and empower. She received her doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development and transitioned into higher education. She currently works at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center as the Director of Assessment for the College of Pharmacy, where she works with various stakeholders and departments to provide a holistic view of the College’s performance.

Carmen is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and volunteers her talents to helping nonprofits organizations with their organizational processes, academic strategies, and scholarship fundraising.

MICHALYN EASTER-THOMAS (’13)

Michalyn Easter-Thomas is a public school educator, community advocate, and currently serves as the Memphis City Councilwoman for District 7. As the youngest African American to ever be elected to the Memphis City Council in 2019, Michalyn is proud to work alongside her colleagues to make Memphis a more equitable place to live. Her current push for equity focuses on economic access for all, community development in our historically underserved neighborhoods, and the support of youth initiatives across the city.

Primarily, Michalyn is the Director of Education Initiatives and Strategic Partnerships at Memphis River Parks Partnership. After having received her Bachelor of Arts in History from CBU in 2013, Michalyn proceeded to train for her education career at Columbia University in New York. She began teaching after earning her Master of Arts in Teaching in 2014, and then worked to earn her Education Specialist degree in Principalship from Arkansas State University in 2019. Michalyn is currently a doctoral student at Vanderbilt University.

Michalyn is also the founder of the nonprofit Our Grass Our Roots (OGOR), which seeks to provide resources and increase awareness to all North Memphis community members by collaboratively amplifying their voices for neighborhood improvement through education and advocacy. Since 2014, her nonprofit work has encouraged formidable partnerships to flourish in the North Memphis area, while neighbors work towards various strides of progress all across the community. Her commitment to the community is also evident through her service with other organizations. She serves on boards and leadership teams for various organizations and nonprofits in the Memphis area and is a proud member of the Memphis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Michalyn has been happily married to Darren L. Thomas II since September 2017, and they have one lovely child, Darren L. Thomas III.

SHAQUILLE FULLER (’12, ’19)

Shaquille Fuller is a highly accomplished and results-driven IT Project Manager with over 10 years of experience leading successful technology projects. His passion for technology and innate leadership abilities have enabled him to excel in a dynamic, fast-paced IT industry. Shaquille is also a doctoral candidate in Capella University’s Doctor of Information Technology program specializing in Project Management. 

Shaquille enjoys staying up to date with the latest technology trends in his spare time and networking with fellow IT professionals. In addition, he is the President of the CBU Black Alumni Association and a Board Member of the CBU National Alumni Board. Shaquille was granted the CBU School of Engineering Outstanding MSCIS Graduate Award in 2019.   

With a strong foundation in computer science and a keen eye for detail, Shaquille ensures that projects are executed with precision and accuracy. His technical proficiency allows him to effectively communicate with development teams, bridging the gap between technical jargon and business objectives. Shaquille’s comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge technologies and industry best practices keeps his projects at the forefront of innovation.

Throughout his career, Shaquille has demonstrated a remarkable track record of delivering complex IT projects on time and within budget. He has overseen the implementation of various software applications, infrastructure upgrades, and system integrations for small and large organizations. His exceptional ability to analyze project requirements and develop comprehensive plans has earned him the trust of clients and stakeholders.

DR. MAUREEN E. O’BRIEN (’94)

Maureen E. O’Brien, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Behavioral Sciences Department at Christian Brothers University. She received her PhD in Social Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (along with a Doctoral Minor in Statistics), her MS in General Psychology from the University of Memphis, and her BA in Psychology from CBU. Her research interests include prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination; attitude change and persuasion; and resistance to persuasion. In addition to teaching courses for the psychology major, she teaches elective courses in stereotyping and prejudice and the psychology of persuasion.

Maureen has been a member of the National Alumni Board (NAB) for CBU’s Alumni Association for many years and encourages alums who love CBU as much as she does to join the NAB and give back to CBU in this way. She frequently reminds her former students to “give to your alma mater!” She lives in midtown Memphis with her wife, who is also a CBU faculty member.

HEIDI RUBÍN DE LA BORBOLLA (’98)

Heidi (Berrell) Rubín de la Borbolla has been married to her CBU sweetheart, Ian Rubín de la Borbolla (’97), since 2001, and they have two sons. After graduating from CBU with an English degree, Heidi went on to earn her MA in Literature at Middlebury College in Vermont in 2005.

Heidi is the English Department Chair and an upper school English teacher at St. George’s Independent School in the Memphis area, and she has been teaching for 26 years.

ANALICE HOSEY SOWELL (’02,’05)

Analice Hosey Sowell is a Science Teacher, Lower & Upper School Science Department Chair, and STEAM Director at Christ Methodist Day School. She received her BS in Chemistry, with minors in Mathematics and Physics, as well as a MA in Teaching, all from CBU. In 2014, Analice was selected as CBU’s Distinguished Young Alumna, and in 2019, CBU’s Department of Education selected her for the Outstanding MAT Graduate award. Since her time as an undergraduate student at CBU, she has been actively involved in the Memphis Local Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and has served in various executive offices over the years. For many years, she also served in national governance with ACS, serving on the Committee on Community Activities. During this time, she led curriculum development for the Society’s National Chemistry Week and Chemists Celebrate Earth Week outreach programs. 

Analice currently serves on the Governing Board for the American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT) as the Association’s Elementary Ambassador. Her unique history at CBU includes being an undergraduate student, a graduate student, a staff member, and a former faculty member in the Graduation Education Program.  As a result, serving on the NAB is a way that she can give back to the university. After all, she says, “I learned to be the teacher I am today from the teachers I had at CBU. Serving on the NAB is my way of ensuring the University’s continued focus on preparing students to serve the world in positive and influential ways.” Analice and her family reside in Memphis.

DAVID TRAN (’05)

David Tran graduated from CBU with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He has been a member of the faculty at St. Agnes Academy since 2010. Currently, he serves as the Biomedical Science instructor, STEM Coordinator for the high school division of St. Agnes Academy, and he holds the position of Junior Lead Sponsor. His outstanding contributions to the field of education have earned him recognition and awards. St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School honored him with the Marian Swicker Chair of Excellence Award, and the Catholic Diocese of Memphis acknowledged his innovative approach in the classroom by presenting him with the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award for Innovation in the Classroom.

David’s connection to his alma mater is strong. He met his wife, Dr. Christina Brown Tran (’06), during his time as a student at CBU. They have been happily married since 2011 and are proud parents of their daughter, Rosaleigh Tran. David’s involvement with the National Alumni Board for CBU allows him to actively contribute to the promotion of the institution. He enthusiastically participates in service projects with current students, professors, and alumni during Alumni Week, creating memorable and meaningful experiences.