The Office of Alumni Relations has kicked off the 2019–20 academic year with a new team, which they are still building.
This month, Nicolina Astorina, the former assistant director of alumni relations, was promoted to serve as director of alumni relations, replacing Karen Moran. In September, Rose Elsaadany ’16 joined the team as alumni coordinator. A search is open for the position of assistant director of alumni relations.
Karen Moran, the previous director of alumni relations, celebrated her last day at Wagner on Homecoming, held on October 5. Moran had served in that post since July 2017. She left Wagner to become the director of alumni engagement for biomedical and health sciences for the Rutgers University Foundation. Juliana Formica Salzarulo M’14, the former assistant director of alumni relations, resigned from her post at Wagner in July.
Astorina has been a member of Wagner’s alumni relations team for the past two years. She is a graduate of St. John’s University, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English.
Astorina’s first job at Wagner was alumni coordinator. She was responsible for administering many aspects of alumni programs, conducting correspondence and taking calls from alumni, and assisting with communications through email and social media. She loved the work and attended every meeting and event possible in order to make herself an expert at all aspects of alumni relations.
She looks forward to expanding the office’s signature, broad-based events — Homecoming, Reunion, and Career Conversations — and expanding programs that bring alumni and students together, such as the Women’s Professional Network.
“My favorite part of the job is talking with people, seeing them come back to events, meeting them, and hearing how much Wagner means to them,” she says.
She also enjoys interacting with alumni on social media through the @WagnerAlumni accounts on Facebook and Instagram.
Rose Elsaadany earned her bachelor’s degree in arts administration at Wagner College three years ago. Tau Kappa Sigma sorority was among her campus involvements. She is a Staten Island native who has worked with major cultural organizations on the island including the St. George Theatre and the Museum of Maritime Navigation and Communication. She also has experience working with youth enrichment through the New York Center for Interpersonal Development.
“As an alum, I want to keep alumni engaged with the College,” she says. “I’m especially interested in creating events that are engaging for both younger and older alumni.”
Fun Facts About the Team
Nicolina Astorina maintains strong ties to her family’s roots in Italy, particularly in Sicily. This past summer, she climbed more than 8,000 feet up Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. It had erupted only about a week before she made her ascent.
Rose Elsaadany teaches laughter yoga at Eger Harbor House, a senior care facility. Laughter yoga combines aerobic exercise, yogic breathing, and laughter. “Laughter yoga fits my personality. I’m generally a positive person,” she says.
Contact the Team through the Wagner Advancement staff directory.
