Carlow Grads

Creating a more merciful world

Carlow Grads

Creating a more merciful world

Melanie Heuston, '84'
Melanie Heuston, '84'
Melanie Heuston, '84'

Melanie Heuston, BSN ‘84

As Chief Nursing Executive at West Virginia University (WVU) Medicine, Melanie Heuston brings a wealth of clinical and leadership experience—from her beginnings as an ICU staff nurse to her leadership as a highly accomplished nurse executive at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and beyond. During her previous tenure at Meritus Health, the organization attained the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet credential in April 2019—the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.

How did your time at Carlow change or shape the professional you are today?

If it wasn’t for the education I received at Carlow I wouldn’t be who I am today. I was an average high school student, and Carlow brought me into the program and made me a great nurse. I went on to become a masters and doctoral student because of everything I learned here. I don't attribute my professional success solely to those graduate programs, it was the Carlow framework—what I learned here, the rigor of the education, the rigor of the research. I wouldn't be the leader I am in any way if it wasn't for Carlow’s program.

At Carlow, we feel strongly about being devoted to the future of our students. How do you bring that same sense of devotion to your professional life now?

When I was at Carlow, they taught us how to be leaders and to care about the community. I took that very seriously. I don’t think nursing gets the “airtime” it deserves. In my current role as Chief Nurse Executive, I visit all the hospitals and get to be a voice for the nursing practice and share the value of what nurses do with everybody that will listen. It's a privilege. The more nurses we produce and the stronger they are in their practice, the healthier the state and local region will be.

Where do you see the greatest opportunity for innovation in nursing?

As part of the Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellowship program I was just selected to join, my colleague and I are working on a way to get high school students interested in nursing. Along that same idea, I’ve recently started the Aspiring Nurse Program at WVU Medicine. I met with deans and directors of nursing schools across West Virginia, and we talked about the barriers to people becoming nurses. For many, it’s about needing support—they need childcare; don’t have transportation; and are dealing with food insecurity. So in through the Aspiring Nurse Program, we offer each nursing student $5,000 every semester, which they can spend on whatever they need, whether it's daycare, food, or something else. The trade-off is the student makes a three-year work commitment to our organization. I believe the Aspiring Nurse Program is going to make a real impact for an underserved population and to the nursing profession.

Melanie Heuston, '84'
Melanie Grid

Milagros Pereyra-Rojas, PhD ’00, ‘03

As Executive Director for The Latin American Studies Association (LASA), Milagros Pereyra-Rojas oversees the largest professional association in the world for individuals and institutions engaged in the study of Latin America. With over 13,000 members, over 60% of whom reside outside the United States, LASA's mission is to foster intellectual discussion, research, and teaching on Latin America, the Caribbean, and its people throughout the Americas, promote the interests of its diverse membership, and encourage civic engagement through network building and public debate.

What stands out to you from your time at Carlow?

The professors were amazing. They were not only knowledgeable in their field, but they cared about the student, about the person. The concept of mercy—teaching us to be better human beings for ourselves, for society, for humanity in general. Mercy, compassion. Those are things I wouldn't say I learned at Carlow, but I deepened those characteristics there.

In my country, professors become famous based on the number of people they fail. Meaning the more people you fail, the more famous you become, which is the opposite at Carlow. I was able to triple major in communications, information systems, and business management not because I'm super smart, but because of the support I received from teachers, my classmates and everyone else. When you go through life, it's not just you. So many people around you support you in different ways. And that was Carlow for me.

At Carlow, we feel strongly about being devoted to the future of our students. How do you bring that same sense of devotion to your professional life now?

For our LASA employees, I like to make sure that they understand that life and family are important. So, even before the pandemic, our schedules were flexible. Again, family first. And I believe I'm making a difference with that mindset. It doesn't happen everywhere. It's difficult for people to understand and trust others. But when you give employees that trust, they give you back what you expect them to give you. So, trust is key.

Milagros Pereyra-Rojas, PhD ’00, ‘03
Milagros Pereyra-Rojas, PhD ’00, ‘03
Milagros Pereyra-Rojas, PhD ’00, ‘03
Milagros Pereyra-Rojas, PhD ’00, ‘03
Milagros Grid
Casey Robinson, MBA ‘12
Casey Robinson, MBA ‘12
Casey Robinson, MBA ‘12

Casey Robinson, MBA ‘12

As Partner & Chief Planning Officer at Waldron Private Wealth, Casey Robinson advises a select group of high-net-worth individuals, families, and family businesses. He leads the firm’s Wealth Planning Team, comprised of other experienced financial planners and advisors. Casey is an active member of The Society of Financial Services Professionals, The Financial Planning Association and The Pittsburgh Foundation's Young Advisor Committee.

What stands out about your time at Carlow?

I think I became better at working as part of a team, because I was grouped with other professionals who were in different industries and life stages than me. Up until that point, I don't think I had ever worked in such a diverse group setting. That made an impact.

At Carlow, we feel strongly about being devoted to the future of our students. How do you bring that same sense of devotion to your professional life now?

A big part of my job is to help alleviate clients’ stress, and help people pursue the things they want to pursue in life, instead of worrying about tax issues or financial risk—things they don't really understand how to handle.

Whether it’s managing uncertainty in the markets or the economy, or managing people’s expectations of what they can achieve professionally or personally, I have a responsibility to help educate and grow everyone I interact with every day—regardless of whether they report to me, I report to them, or they are a client.

Casey Robinson, MBA ‘12
Casey Grid