Success Stories

Success Stories

The Alvernia Impact

Discover how 51³Ô¹Ï students, alumni, and faculty turn education into action. Explore success stories of leadership, service, and innovation that reflect our Franciscan mission. Ready to see where your story begins? Explore how you can join a community that leads with purpose.

 

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Alicia Sprow

Active learning inspires active leadership professor

When she’s not in the classroom during the summer months, you might find Alicia Sprow helping the students on Bog Turtle Creek Farm at the EcoHouse, down the road from Alvernia’s main campus. “My favorite part of what I do at Alvernia is havi...

  • College of Business, Communication, and Leadership
  • 2026
Rachel Sebastian

Total Experience Learning adjunct named finalist for PA Teacher of the Year award

Once a student of the Total Experience Learning Institute® (TExpL), Rachel Sebastian, a librarian at Brecknock Elementary School in the Gov. Mifflin School District, believes in its mission so deeply that she’s also an adjunct for the program base...

  • 2025
Tom Franek

He finds joy in helping students find their 'lightbulb moments'

Dr. Thomas Franek started at 51³Ô¹Ï during the 2015-2016 year, but has nearly 20 years of experience as an educator and 30 years of practical experience. Once an active high school athlete, the associate professor of athleti...

  • College of Health Sciences
  • 2021