2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards

Kelly Austin (PhD ’11) is the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. His responsibilities encompass academic matters and student success at one of the world’s leading higher education institution focused on aviation, aerospace, and research.

Dr. Austin previously served as Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park. In that capacity, he oversaw teaching, research and service missions, and acted as the budget executive for Penn State’s 20 Commonwealth Campuses, which serve some 27,000 students across all degree levels.

Before assuming the role of Vice President and Executive Chancellor at Penn State, University Park, Dr. Austin held the title of Associate Vice President for Administration in the Office of the Senior Vice President of Commonwealth Campuses. Earlier, he served as Chancellor at Penn State Schuylkill. Prior to joining Penn State, Dr. Austin was Vice President for Finance and Administration at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

Dr. Austin earned his PhD. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education and his Master of Business Administration in Airline Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Dr. Bille Pearce Rondinelli (EdD ’99) is a Grable Fellow at The Grable Foundation and is a former Superintendent of South Fayette School District. An experienced academic administrator committed to leading innovative educational progress, Dr. Rondinelli has served in public K-12 and higher education since 1979.

During her tenure from 2009-2018, Dr. Rondinelli guided the South Fayette School District during a time of significant enrollment growth and continuous academic, arts, and athletic enhancements. The South Fayette School District and Dr. Rondinelli received numerous recognitions including invitations to attend The White House National Educational and Technology Summits and admission into the national Digital Promise: League of Innovative Schools (DPLIS). Dr. Rondinelli was selected to serve on the Advisory Council of that organization.

As a Grable Foundation Fellow, Dr. Rondinelli and her colleague, Dr. Bart Rocco, a faculty member at the School of Education, engage with 42 Regional Alliance school districts on the AASA/Grable Western Pennsylvania Learning 2025 national initiative. Additionally, Dr. Rondinelli is an educational consultant who provides expertise on a variety of areas, including district operational planning, superintendent searches, mentoring/coaching, meeting facilitation, and Act 45 administrative/principal instructional programming

In addition to earning her Doctor of Education (EdD) degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education, Dr. Rondinelli earned her Master of Education and Bachelor of Arts Degrees from Westminster College.  She is a graduate of New Castle High School.

Dr. Rondinelli and her husband, Frank, are proud parents of Jaclyn, Jonathan, and Justin, and grandparents of Joie, Julian, and Magdalena.

Anthony Sendro (MEd/ ADCTG ’23) is an elementary school teacher and second-grade coordinator at the West Jefferson Hills School District in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a dedicated educator, instructional leader, and advocate for innovative teaching practices.

For more than five years, he has played a pivotal role in the district in shaping student success and fostering a positive school culture. He began as a science teacher for first- and second-graders, where he integrated STEM projects and refined curricula. Since becoming a second-grade teacher, he has emphasized student engagement through inclusive instructional approaches.

Outside the classroom, Anthony is a Second Grade Coordinator who aligns grade-level goals with district-wide initiatives, while supporting fellow educators. As the school’s Technology Mentor, he partners with Apple and colleagues to lead district-wide professional development aimed at ensuring that teachers effectively integrate technology into their classrooms.  Anthony also holds a Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Level 1 certification and is a trained member of the Student Assistance Program.

Anthony earned his bachelor’s degree from the California University of Pennsylvania (2018, B.S.ED) and his Master of Education with a K-12 Principal Certification from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education. He aspires to become a principal in the Pittsburgh area.

Larry Lunsford (PhD ’83) is retired from his role as Vice President for Student Affairs at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, Florida. Over the course of approximately 30 years at FIU, he served as Assistant and Associate Vice President, Director of Student Activities, and University Ombudsperson. Additionally, Dr. Lunsford had an appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Higher Education Administration and was an adjunct instructor in the College of Arts and Sciences. In 2024, Dr. Lunsford was named Vice President for Student Affairs Emeritus at FIU.

Dr. Lunsford has held numerous leadership roles in national student affairs organizations and fraternal organizations. He served on the board of directors of the publication, Student Affairs Today; is a member of the board of directors of the honor society, Order of Omega; and is a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Historical Society Board of Directors.

Additionally, he was twice the President of the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors; is the Founder and Executive Director of the Northeast Interfraternity Conference; is the former International Vice President for Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity; and held several National Association of Student Personnel Administrators positions, including the Task Force on the Relationship of the Fraternity System to the University and major speakers chair for the 2012 national conference.

In recognition of this service, he was presented the prestigious Pillars of the Profession Award by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators in 2019.

Prior to joining FIU, Dr. Lunsford previously served as Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Evansville; Assistant Director of Student Activities at the University of Pittsburgh; and Assistant Dean of Students at Robert Morris College. He was an adjunct journalism instructor at the Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Lunsford is one of the co-authors of a required freshman class text, The First Year: Making the Most of College, and is co-founder of the course. Additionally, he is the author of two novels, Brad and The Hollow, and a book, Reflections, an Anthology of the Early Works of Larry Lunsford, and hundreds of articles and book chapters. He has spoken at over 100 college campuses, workshops, and conferences.

Dr. Lunsford has a BS in Communications from the University of Tennessee, a MS in College Student Personnel Administration from Indiana University, and a PhD. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.

A native of Tennessee, Dr. Lunsford and his wife, Joan, live in Miami and are the parents of a son and daughter.

Camille Smith (BS ’06, MS ’08, EdD ’19) is a transformational leader, wellness advocate, and community builder dedicated to improving lives through health, fitness, and faith. With over 25 years of experience in exercise physiology, Dr. Smith is a highly sought-after specialist in movement therapy, pain relief, and holistic healing.

As the founder of Camille Clarke LLC, she integrates personal training, health coaching, and massage therapy to help individuals—including seniors, cancer survivors, and athletes—achieve optimal health and mobility.

She also serves as Program Director in the Quality Improvement Department at UPMC Health Plan, where she leads the Medicare Faith and Wellness Program, an initiative that connects faith-based communities with essential health care resources. Her work ensures that Medicare members, particularly those in underserved communities, have access to wellness programs that improve their quality of life.

As the Founder, President, and Executive Director of Transforming the African American Woman (THAW), Dr. Smith has created a nonprofit focused on empowering Black women through holistic wellness, trauma recovery, and community-based support. THAW’s programs, including Boxing Yoga Exhale (BYE) and the RISE Book Club, provide safe spaces for healing and personal growth.

Dr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology, a Master of Science in exercise physiology, and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in health and physical activity, all from the University of Pittsburgh. She is also completing her Master of Social Work (MSW), with plans to graduate in Summer 2025, with the goal of further expanding her ability to integrate mental health and trauma-informed care into her work.

Beyond her professional work, she is the First Lady of Destiny International Ministries, where she leads praise and worship and supports her husband, Pastor Michael Smith, in serving Homewood and surrounding communities. With faith at the core of her mission, Dr. Smith continues to make a lasting impact on health and human development in Pittsburgh and beyond.

Jana Bonds (EdD ’22) is an Assistant Principal at West Manheim Elementary School in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

She is a dedicated servant leader who has spent 17 years transforming education through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to expanding opportunities for all students. Beginning her career as a technology and engineering educator, she quickly became a driving force in advancing hands-on STEM learning and student leadership.

Dr. Bonds is committed to broadening access to high-quality STEM education. Recently, she played a contributing role in partnering with the Cal Ripken Jr. Foundation to bring STEM Centers to her South Western’s elementary schools, ensuring that all students have access to engaging, hands-on learning experiences. She also lends her leadership and support to other district-wide STEM initiatives, including the family elementary science night, and collaborates on curriculum development to equip students with 21st-century skills.

Beyond her formal leadership duties, Dr. Bonds has inspired countless students, empowered fellow educators, and strengthened community partnerships. She is known for her ability to mentor teachers, foster innovation in classrooms, and create meaningful learning opportunities that extend beyond the school walls. Recognized for her impact, she has received honors such as the ITEEA Emerging Leader Award and the National TSA Pennsylvania Middle School Advisor of the Year.

Meghan Orman (PhD ’24) is a Postdoctoral Associate at Cornell University, where she works on statewide initiatives aimed at improving early childhood educators’ health and well-being.

Dr. Orman focuses on creating supportive environments for educators through community-based and culturally responsive interventions, with the goal of enhancing both educator and child outcomes. As a mentor to graduate and undergraduate students, she encourages students to engage in research that bridges developmental psychology with real-world solutions for young children and families.

While at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Orman conducted research on young children’s nature connection in Iceland through a Fulbright-National Science Foundation Arctic Research award. This work, along with her time spent at Pitt’s Office of Child Development, where she worked closely with her advisor, Dr. Shannon Wanless, has deeply influenced her ongoing commitment to using research to promote equity and justice in education.

Before earning her Ph.D in applied developmental psychology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education., Dr. Orman earned her master’s degree in philosophy from the University of North Florida and spent 10 years teaching philosophy as an adjunct instructor there. During this time, she also worked with children in schools and afterschool programs. Dr. Orman further pursued her passion for early childhood education by earning her Montessori infant/toddler credential and by spending five years as a toddler teacher, where she fostered early development in a hands-on, child-centered learning environment. Her background in philosophy has greatly enhanced her ability to think critically and approach educational issues from a broad, interdisciplinary perspective.

When she’s not working with children or conducting research on education, Dr. Orman enjoys cheering on her favorite teams, the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. She also spends her free time running, gardening, and studying insects.

Dr. Allyce Pinchback-Johnson (BS/CERT ’09, EdD ’24) is the Founder and CEO of Pinchback Consulting LLC, a business she started in 2017 to help organizations get smarter and better at their work through capacity building, strategic planning, project management, and community engaged processes. Her clients include a variety of local and national nonprofits, foundations, and education institutions.

Dr. Pinchback-Johnson has spent over 15 years in the education and nonprofit industries. She served as Director of Professional Development for Pittsburgh Public Schools. In that role, she oversaw the district’s professional learning system, supervised the professional development team, and worked cross-functionally with over 30 staff developers to create and deliver professional leaning and development training to over 2,000 staff members.

Dr. Pinchback-Johnson spent one year as the Chief Program Officer for Gwen’s Girls, where she oversaw the organization’s programs and services and three years as a Program Officer for the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, where she was primarily responsible for building relationships with schools and community partners to increase Black male participation in the Council’s Global Travel Scholarship Program.

Dr. Pinchback-Johnson is passionate about giving back to the community, as demonstrated through her service on numerous boards, commissions, award selection committees, and as a mentor. She is also a founding member of Black Women for a Better Education, which has been instrumental in raising awareness about key educational issues and electing high-quality candidates to the Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors.

Dr. Pinchback-Johnson eceived her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in psychology and Japanese, a Master of Public Management degree from the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University, and a Doctor of Education with a concentration in Urban Education from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.

A native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Pinchback-Johnson currently resides on the Northside neighborhood, and is a proud wife and mother.

Rachael Stowe is a second-year student in the MA in Education Policy program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.

She received a B.S. in Applied Developmental Psychology with a minor in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh in 2022 and was recognized as the recipient of the 2021 School of Education Dean’s Distinguished Undergraduate Award. She previously worked as an elementary Special Education teacher in Atlanta Public Schools.

Rachael currently serves as a graduate assistant on the Partnership for Student Success, a national project housed at the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University. In this position, she supports partnership-building efforts among colleges and universities, nonprofits, and school districts to place college students in roles as tutors, mentors, post-secondary transition coaches, and more. She also leads the project’s Federal Work-Study working group, which focuses on identifying and addressing implementation challenges in utilizing Federal Work-Study funds for student placement in these positions.

Rachael is also a thought partner for the Rural and Community-Based Education Initiative within the School of Education, building community partnerships to strengthen support in rural communities from a cross-discipline approach, collaborating across all five University of Pittsburgh campuses. Additionally, she serves as President for the School of Education’s Council of Graduate Students in Education (CGSE), managing the board in helping meet the professional, academic and personal needs of School of Education graduate students.

Rachael’s passion lies in community engagement and the leveraging of university resources and knowledge to build equity-centered partnerships in response to community needs. In her free time, she loves to travel to new places, cook good food, and spend quality time with her partner, Chuck, and cat, Cheeto.