Rivier’s Alumni Achievement Awards Honor Business and Community Leaders

Pictured left to right: Laureen Dorow, Jennifer Resmini, Susan Santana, and Madeline Fitts.

Rivier University has granted 2025 Alumni Achievement Awards to four distinguished graduates in recognition of their outstanding leadership and service. These annual awards are presented to alumni who have utilized their Rivier education to make a difference in their professions and local communities while maintaining a continued connection with their alma mater.

“Our alumni represent the University with pride and distinction through contributions to their businesses, organizations, and communities,” says Karen Cooper, Vice President for University Advancement. “It is our privilege to recognize these four remarkable individuals for their ongoing commitment to the University’s mission of transforming hearts and minds to serve the world.”

2025 Alumni Achievement Awards Recipients

The Outstanding Business Leader Award was presented to Laureen Dorow, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of White Birch Educational Services. Laureen recognized a need for student support services within New Hampshire schools and founded White Birch Educational Services in 2017. What began as a small team of seven school psychologists has since grown into a thriving organization with more than 100 employees serving approximately 90 schools across the state. Laureen earned her Master of Education in Educational Studies in 2007 and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in School Psychology in 2009. She credits the comprehensive coursework and dedicated faculty at Rivier for playing a pivotal role in her development as a skilled school psychologist and in her ability to effectively train and lead her team. Under her leadership, White Birch Educational Services has received recognition in Business NH Magazine as No. 3 of the 20 “Fastest Growing Women-Led Businesses” and No. 2 for “Companies to Watch” with 71% average growth over the past three years. Laureen takes great pride in delivering impactful services to students and schools while fostering a supportive and empowering work environment for her team.

The Outstanding Educator Award was presented to Jennifer Resmini. Jennifer is making an impact on education in New Hampshire, with a strong focus on teacher development and retention. As Dean of Faculty at Pinkerton Academy, she champions collective educator efficacy, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to achieve the best outcomes for students. She leads faculty growth through targeted professional learning aligned with best practices in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. She developed a program at Pinkerton to create a pathway for paraprofessionals and other education staff to earn proper licensure and transition into teaching roles. This initiative has since been shared with school districts in New Hampshire, serving to expand teacher training and retention efforts. Jennifer sits on the New Hampshire Department of Education’s Council for Teacher Education and works to coordinate teacher education in New Hampshire in an advisory capacity. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Social Studies Education from Rivier in 2008 and her Doctor of Education in 2020. She maintains a strong connection to her alma mater as a member of the Alumni Council and the Education Advisory Council.

The Outstanding Nursing Professional Award was presented to Susan Santana, who has dedicated more than four decades to a distinguished career in healthcare, building a legacy of compassion, leadership, and unwavering support for both patients and nursing professionals. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer at Southern New Hampshire Health System, where she continues to champion the development and mentorship of nurse leaders. Susan has earned four degrees from Rivier in business and nursing ranging from the bachelor’s to doctoral level. She credits Rivier with providing her the foundational knowledge that shaped her journey in nursing. Today, she actively pays that forward by mentoring the next generation of nurse leaders, playing a vital role in strengthening the nursing workforce. In recognition of her leadership and impact, she was named to the top 200 influential business leaders who have made their mark on New Hampshire’s economy, business climate, and the state as a whole by New Hampshire Business Review. Her commitment to excellence and patient-centered care continues to elevate the standard of healthcare delivery across Southern New Hampshire.

The Young Alumni Award was presented to Madeline Fitts. Madeline is committed to giving back to both her community and her profession. As the Senior Coordinator of Event Marketing at the Travis Manion Foundation, she plays a pivotal role in advancing the foundation’s mission to empower veterans and the families of fallen heroes, fostering character development in future generations. She oversees all communication and marketing efforts for the foundation’s events and campaigns, including its annual gala, the 9/11 Heroes Run, and the Marine Corps Marathon. In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Madeline was honored with the “Rookie of the Year” award by the Travis Manion Foundation in 2025. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management in 2024 and an MBA in Marketing in 2025. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Madeline is dedicated to service. She has volunteered with The PLUS Company, a nonprofit that supports adults with disabilities in achieving greater independence and serves on the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Greater Nashua, further demonstrating her unwavering commitment to her community.

Rivier University, located in Nashua, New Hampshire, offers more than 60 on-campus and online degrees at the undergraduate, professional studies, graduate, and doctoral levels. For more information, visit rivier.edu.