University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
UPJ Seal

Management Forum

Seventh Annual Management Forum

When: Thursday, September 25, 2008
Where: Cambria Room, Student Union
Time: 6:00-8:30 pm

The Forum brings back recent management grads to talk about their post-UPJ experiences in work and graduate school and how they feel students can best prepare for professional and management careers. Everyone is invited to attend this interesting and informative event.

The Forum will begin with informal presentations from three management alums: Mike Rhoades, Elizabeth Hixson, and Brittany Hood. Each presenter will reflect upon his or her personal experiences as a working professional or graduate student and identify the skills and knowledge needed for success in the world of professional employment. A question-and-answer session will follow. Refreshments will be served.

This year’s trio of alums have varied backgrounds and interests:

Michael Rhoades, a 2007 UPJ graduate, pursued the Management Information Systems track. Michael graduated from Bishop Carroll High School in 2003.  While in college he worked for the Information Systems department at UPJ as well as other IT related businesses.  He was a member of the ACM club.  In his junior year he was hired for an internship as an IT/IS intern at North American Höganäs.  At the beginning of his senior year, Höganäs offered him a part time salaried position.  Upon completion of his degree, he was offered a full time position as a Network Administrator for all of the North American Höganäs facilities. He is currently enrolled in St. Francis University's Masters of Business Administration program. Michael was recently married and now resides in Somerset, PA.  

Elizabeth Hixson, a 2007 UPJ graduate pursued the Marketing concentration and minored in Spanish.  She graduated Cum Laude.  While at UPJ, Elizabeth was President of the AMA (now known as MMA), served on the Programming Board, was a Resident Director, was involved with the UPJ Theatre, was chairperson of the Management Forum, and a Spanish Tutor.  Since graduating from UPJ, Elizabeth is currently Auditing and Accounts Coordinator for Institutional Advancement at the University of Pittsburgh.  She audits and manages accounts for Pitt's $2billion+ campaign.  Her employment at Pitt began as Coordinator for Intramural Sports and then was promoted to the Office and Budget Coordinator of Alumni Association before taking the current position.  Elizabeth is currently enrolled in the MPIAgraduate program at GSPIA, majoring in Global Political Economics.  She is an active volunteer with the United Way of Allegheny County and Animal Friends.

Brittany Hoodis from Emeigh (pronounced ‘Amee’) Pennsylvania and attended Northern Cambria High School (’04).  She graduated from UPJ in May 2008.  While at UPJ, Brittany was involved in several social and academic clubs.  She was President of the UPJ Dance Ensemble, Vice President of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity and was the 2008 College Scholar in Management.  She is currently employed by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.  She began working for Pitt at the beginning of June.  At UPCI, her job title is “Research Accountant,” and she is responsible for managing research grants and clinical trial awards.  She is personally responsible for about 50 accounts, and manages a budget between $1.5 and 2 million.  She currently resides in North Huntingdon, PA.

Sponsors include:  

  • UPJ Marketing & Management Association
  • UPJ Management & Marketing Department
  • Student Activities Fund (SAF)
Last Reviewed: September 13, 2007