To view the symposium, please find the youtube video for the event here: https://youtu.be/p6O01_D685k
Dr. Denise Acevedo
Assistant Professor in MSU’s Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures (WRaC)
Dr. Acevedo earned her B.A. from MSU, a master’s from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. With 34 years of experience in K-12 and higher education as a teacher, advisor, curricula designer, and administrator, she now serves as an Assistant Professor in MSU’s Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures (WRaC). She mentors students as a Faculty Advisor for Sigma Kappa Sorority and an undergraduate book club focused on Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.
She co-founded and serves as President of Kathambi & Karwitha Meru Education, a 501(c)(3) that provides scholarships to female students in Meru, Kenya. A published author, she leads the faculty development project Transforming Teaching Through Reflective Writing Experiences (TTTRWE) and coordinates WRaC’s Lightning Strikes Faculty Symposium. She is also active in leadership roles with WRaC’s Equity & Justice Committee and MSU’s Open Education Resource Advisory Committee. Her latest scholarly work includes the Inclusive Pedagogy Fellows Toolkit.
Beyond academia, Dr. Acevedo is a dedicated mother and lifelong animal rights advocate, volunteering in her community through Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (TNVR) efforts. More about her work can be found at TTTRWE.
Denise can be reached here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-denise-m-acevedo-she-her-09a63b40/
Matin Fallahi
attorney at Bowman and Brooke LLP
Matin Fallahi is an attorney at Bowman and Brooke LLP, specializing in corporate defense litigation. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, before earning her Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University College of Law. While exploring various courses during her undergraduate years, she recognized her skills and strengths, ultimately leading her to pursue a career in law. Now, five years into practice, she finds the profession both challenging and rewarding, appreciating the continuous learning and growth it offers. She holds a position at a national law firm, where she defends high-exposure cases that receive national and international attention, representing some of the world’s leading product manufacturers.
More information can be found on her LinkedIn:
Megan Briggs
Customer Experience Manager at MNTN
Megan Briggs is a Customer Experience Manager at MNTN (pronounced Mountain). She has a degree from Michigan State University’s College of Communication Arts & Sciences, where she discovered her love for advertising. (B.A. Advertising Creative). She believes in staying open to new opportunities, always motivated to work on something different and meaningful. Her career and experiences have been shaped by a mindset of adaptability and purpose, allowing her to continuously grow and explore new interests. Along with her career, Megan loves travelling, discovering new restaurants, and playing endless hours of video games. “Work Hard, Play Hard” can look very interesting when you work from home; being able to work from anywhere has allowed her opportunities to travel all around the world while staying connected to work. Megan is also a past president of MSU Rotaract and an active member of the Haslett/Okemos Rotary club. Megan has loved her time with Rotary International and contributes many of her connections and experiences to the organization.
Megan can be reached here:
Riya Katial
Marketing Associate
Riya Katial is a Marketing Associate at Stryker, a global leader in medical technology, and a proud graduate of Michigan State University's Broad College of Business, where she earned a degree in Marketing and Information Technology in Spring 2024. With a passion for making a meaningful impact and empowering others, Riya joined Rotary International in 2012 and founded GLOW (Girls Lead Our World) in 2016, a network aimed at helping women support each other and address their communities' unique needs. Alongside her work with GLOW, Riya gained valuable experience through IT internships at GE Aviation and The Kellogg Company, and even launched a generative AI startup before relocating to Kalamazoo. At Stryker, she continues to expand her expertise in building international relationships within the medical and technology industries, constantly learning and growing from the diverse opportunities her role offers.
She loves to connect and help others so please feel free to reach out!
Email: rk@glowglobal.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/riyakatial
Megan Tarhanich
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at IHA
Megan Tarhanich (pronounced Tar-Han-ick) is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at IHA Trinity Health. She completed her undergraduate degree in neuroscience at Michigan State University, followed by a master’s in basic medical science at Wayne State University, and a second master’s in nursing at Ohio State University. Initially planning to attend medical school, she ultimately chose nursing due to the opportunities, time commitment, and location. Since middle school, she aspired to work with children in some capacity and later found a passion for science, leading her to a career in medicine. In 2017, she was part of the group that re-established the Rotaract club at MSU, initially managing operations and serving as Vice President before becoming President during her final tenure at the university. She is honored that her sister, Mia, has followed in her footsteps.
Megan can be reached here:
Megan_tarhanich@ihacares.com.