2023 President’s Circle Inductees


National University is proud to name these 2023 Graduating students to this prestigious group celebrating academic excellence and the student’s potential for positive impact. These future professionals will be leading in healthcare, education, military, mental health, public service, business and innovation, and IT sectors.

See below for the full list of our 2023 President’s Circle Inductees and you can read their inspiring stories here or in the accordion below.

The 2023 President Circle inaugural graduates are all inspirations. Many are first-generation, many are earning and learning, balancing multiple priorities. The students come from all walks of life and are walking into a myriad of professions.

These future professionals will be leading in healthcare, education, military, mental health, public service, business and innovation, and IT sectors


Dr. Mark Milliron,
National University President and CEO

Linwood Alford, MSW, QMHP A/C

Master of Social Work

Linwood Alford says his mission in life is to be of service to those who served. A Gulf War Veteran and now busy entrepreneur, Alford left his job with the Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs to open his non-profit organization, Open Door Resource Center, Inc. The Center is a place where Veterans can get…

Dr. Charles Courchaine

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

Dr. Courchaine has spent the last 16 years as a very successful software developer working for large organizations including Nike. His research and dissertation focused on the emerging field of e-discovery and how technology-assisted review can play…

Dr. Courtney Dandy-Fralick, DMFT, LMFT, LCADC, CAMS-I

Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy, concentration in Mental Health Administration

Dr. Dandy Fralick had a successful clinical practice prior to starting her doctorate program. She was a licensed marriage and family therapist…

Saladin Davis

Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, concentration in General Family Therapy

Mr. Davis came to the counseling profession later in life after first building a successful career in banking after graduating with his bachelor’s degree…

Dr. Teresa Duncan

Doctor of Philosophy in Education, concentration in Leadership in Higher Education

Dr. Teresa Duncan spent 30 years in the U.S. Army in various leadership roles including Command Sergeant Major, 8th…

Jeffrey R Gorman

Master of Science in Cybersecurity

As CEO and owner of Creative Computing, Jeffrey Gorman has spent decades as a successful business owner working with 12 school districts building administrative software and database systems…

Lei Huang

Associate of Science, Human Biology

Like many students at the most recent National University commencement, Lei Huang had a successful career before enrolling in his degree program. He is also now an active-duty…

Marc Lessard

Bachelor of Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Marc Lessard is an engineer, an exceptional student and STEM scholar, a spouse, a father, a former Marine, a former business owner, a maker, and now an inventor…

Frank Roh

Bachelor of Science, Nursing

Frank Roh graduated high school and went immediately to work in his father’s trucking business as a dispatcher. In his 20’s he was more focused on making money than on getting more education so after he…

Dr. Alexander Stevens

Doctor of Philosophy in Technology and Innovation Management, concentration in Data Science

Dr. Stevens is a senior technologist at the prestigious Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where he co-creates digital solutions to help improve cancer research…

Michael Severi

Master of Arts, Human Behavioral Psychology

While other 19-year-old college peers were spending evenings at pubs in the Sacramento area, Mike Severi was spending time at homicide scenes. Starting a career track early, Severi, now in his mid-30s, has been with the Sacramento Police for 18 years and currently…

Samantha Valenzuela

Bachelor of Arts, Management, concentration in Human Resources Management

Recently earning a Bachelor of Arts in Management with a concentration in Human Resource Management, Samantha Valenzuela originally thought she was going into HR…

Jessica Ward

Juris Doctor

Jessica Ward’s first exposure to the legal system came at just 20 years old when the single mom found herself in a custody dispute with her child’s father. Unable to…

Katrina Cabauatan

Bachelor of Science in Nursing 

Joselyn Escobal-Luea

Master of Science in Cyber Security with Specialization in Enterprise Cybersecuirty Management

Brianna Rodriguez

Master of Science in Educational Counseling

Amy Roe

Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Development

Khaled Sewidan

Master of Science in Nursing with a Specialization in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner–Lifespan

Elwin Stanaland

Bachelor of Public Administration

John Russell Wengel

Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership

Wenting Yao

Master of Arts in Human Resource Management