Distinguished Women of CSU

This week marks both the end of March and the end of Women's History Month. Throughout this month, various publications, television shows and organizations around the world have honored extraordinary women.

As this month comes to a close, we here at The Cauldron feel that some time should be taken to honor some of the magnificent women who once passed through the halls of Cleveland State.

All of the following women have been honored at a previous Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner, their achievements recognized by their respective former colleges and the Alumni Association.

Dr. Roshanak Hakimzadeh

Dr. Roshanak Hakimzadeh graduated from the Fenn College of Engineering in 1987 with a master's degree in electrical and computer engineering. She received her Ph.D. at Case Western Reserve University.

Dr. Hakimzadeh researched her thesis at NASA's Photovoltaic and Power Technologies branch at NASA Glenn Research Center, and now serves as branch chief. According to NASA, Dr. Hakimzadeh's branch has been recognized internationally for its work on novel solar cell technology.

These cells have already led to the success of several missions, says NASA, and the development of these cells will help with the exploration of space in the future.

NASA's Marshall Center honored Dr. Hakimzadeh for youth outreach with the Marshall Federal Women's Program Award.

Valerie McCall

Valerie McCall holds two degrees from Cleveland State University— a bachelor's degree in social work obtained in 1995 and a master's in public administration obtained in 1997.

Mayor Frank Jackson appointed McCall to the position of Chief of Government Affairs. According to the City of Cleveland's Web site, McCall is a liaison to the state government and a registered city lobbyist.

In the past, McCall was the director of the Cleveland Empowerment Zone. This $200 million project headed development in the Fairfax, Glenville, Hough and Midtown areas.

McCall serves on several boards around the area including Positively Cleveland and the Downtown Cleveland Improvement District.

McCall has been recognized in Crain's Cleveland Business' "40 Under 40" and was featured in Ebony as a 2002-2003 Young Leader of the Future.

Patricia Hemann

Patricia Hemann received her Juris Doctor summa cum laude from Cleveland-Marshall in 1980.

Upon graduating, Hemann served as U.S. District Court Judge William K Thomas' law clerk for two years.

Hemann practiced law for 11 years at Hahn Loeser & Parks. Hemann made partner and became a member of the board of directors.

In 1993, she was appointed to the position of Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Ohio, serving until 2008.

Hemann's work has earned her various awards including the William K. Thomas Professionalism Award and the Ohio Women's Bar Association Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins

Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins obtained her Ph.D. from Cleveland State University's College of Education in 1991.

Dr. Jefferson-Jenkins served as a public school administrator and teacher for 20 years. Jefferson-Jenkins was also a senior associate for America's Choice Schools at the National Center on Education and the Economy in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Jefferson-Jenkins served two terms as the 15th president of the League of Women Voters of the United States. She was the first African-American head of the organization.

Dr. Jefferson-Jenkins is also an accomplished author, having written "The Road to Black Suffrage" and "One Man One Vote: The History of the African-American Vote in the United States."

In 2010, Dr. Jefferson-Jenkins was elected to the Board of the Colorado Judicial Institute.

Charlene W. Mancuso

Charlene Mancuso received a bachelor of science in nursing, cum laude, in 1982 and a master's of public administration in 1993.

Mancuso has served as a director of critical care operations for MetroHealth Medical Center's Division of Trauma, Burns and Metro Life Flight. During her years in the medical field, Mancuso has served as a staff nurse, head nurse of emergency services, a trauma/EMS coordinator at St. Luke's Hospital and a flight nurse for C&A Ambulance Service.

Governors Taft and Strickland appointed Mancuso to the State Board of Emergency Medical Services.

Currently, Mancuso is campaigning for the position of mayor in Euclid where she has served as a councilperson at-large for two terms.

Dr. Danielle N. Ripich

Dr. Danielle N. Ripich holds a bachelor's and master's in speech pathology from Cleveland State. She obtained her Ph.D. from Kent and a certificate in management development from Harvard University.

From 1980-1982, Ripich taught voice and diction at Cleveland State. She then moved to Case Western Reserve University and quickly became the chair of the department of communication sciences followed by the associate dean of the college of arts and sciences.

Ripich then moved to the Medical University of South Carolina where she served as a professor and as a dean of the college of health professions.

Currently, Ripich is serving as the fifth president of the University of New England. She assumed this role at the beginning of July in 2006.

In addition to her work as an educator, Dr. Ripich is known for her language research work. According to her profile on the UNE Web site, Ripich is particularly known for her work with children, the hearing impaired and persons with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

Carol G. Emerling