Alumni Board

Lisa Beckwith, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker within New York State at WNY Children’s Psychiatric Center (WNYCPC). WNYCPC serves youth who are in need of inpatient psychiatric stabilization. Lisa also has a small private practice within Shurmatz Counseling. Lisa attended Hilbert College from 2013 - 2015, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science, earning many recognitions including the Lambert and Margaret Graham Award for being a full-time adult returning student who earned the highest cumulative quality point average.
While at Hilbert College, Lisa appreciated the family-like atmosphere which created a safe space for excelled learning where professors cared for and supported students in their success. Lisa became the President of the Hilbert Human Services Association, where she often engaged in many on and off campus activities, frequently volunteering and supporting the communities most vulnerable populations.
After graduating from Hilbert, she went on to earn her Master’s Degree at The University at Buffalo School of Social Work. She felt well-prepared for the program as a result of her education at Hilbert College.
Lisa is currently the President of Hilbert’s Alumni Association and enjoys her time spent building relationships with Alumni, Students, Family, Faculty, and Staff. She is thankful to work with a Board that shares a similar passion for Hilbert College.
Lisa’s advice to students: Try new experiences within your educational journey. Do not be afraid to “fail”. Try to see those moments as life lessons. Follow your heart in your educational journey and work towards a career you are passionate about!

Sue Hawkins is the Vice President of Residential Services at sasi. Sasi is an agency that supports people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She is the current President of the North Evans Fire Companie’s Ladies Auxiliary which supports the local community as well as the members of the Fire Company. Sue started her career at sasi shortly after starting her education at Hilbert College in 2002. Sue knew Hilbert was the right choice for college right away. The class sizes made learning engaging and intimate. Professors really got to know their students.

Sue’s advice to students: Don’t be afraid to try new things! Join the club, take the class. Put yourself out there to gain new experiences and immerse yourself in all Hilbert has to offer. Sue resides in Eden with her husband and two labs. She recently reunited with Hilbert by joining the Alumni Board as Secretary. She has enjoyed connecting with other alumni, faculty, staff and current students and hopes to be able to make a difference to those at Hilbert.

Tom Doody is a financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments in Phoenix, AZ. He was the Man of the Year for his 1997 graduating class and was also recognized as the Dominique Thompson Memorial Alumnus of the Year in 2013. Throughout his career he has worked as a public relations liaison with the Town of Hamburg Police Department, a Media Relations intern with the Buffalo Bills and has served over twenty years as a financial advisor (beginning his career at Merrill Lynch before transitioning to Edward Jones).

In his time at Hilbert, Tom played on the baseball team, captained the soccer team, founded the ski club, was a member of Phi Beta Lambda and was Vice President of the Student Government Association. He is an active and passionate supporter of the Pat Tillman Foundation, the Ride for Roswell, and has served as a Big Brother (in the Big Brother Big Sister program) for over ten years. He grew up right in the Hamburg, NY area and currently resides in Tempe, AZ with his wife and two daughters.

Tom's advice to students: 'Take advantage of every resource Hilbert has to offer. From internships and networking, to club involvement and participation. Some faculty and staff (Dan Roland, Pat Heraty and Sister Edmunette) were not only my teachers, but became trusted friends who I still seek guidance from as mentors today."

Will Nichols is an Elementary School Teacher in The Syracuse City School District. The Syracuse City School District educates more than 19,000 students each day, from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. He is currently teaching 2nd Grade at Delaware Primary School on the west side of Syracuse.

Will graduated from Hilbert College in 2019 with a Bachelor’s in Human Services earning many recognitions including Graduate of Distinction, John Kissel Leadership Award, Meghan Memorial Award, Chi Alpha Sigma, and Delta Alpha Pi. He knew that Hilbert was the right fit for him! Many of the reasons were the small class sizes, opportunities to get involved on campus, implementing our faith with academics, close relationships with our professors and peers, and being far enough away from home where Hilbert felt like a second home.

Will dedicated his time at Hilbert by being involved with many clubs, and athletics on campus. He was the President of the Human Services Association, Vice-President of Franciscan Spirit Club, and ran Cross Country for the college.

Will started his career as a Summer Camp Counselor at Cradle Beach where he served campers ages 8-16 who have disabilities and come from low-income households. After graduating from Hilbert, he worked as a Direct Support Professional at Elmcrest Children’s Center in Syracuse. He supported the youth with disabilities, and with mental health crisis by teaching them life skills. Will then decided to change career paths, which started his new career in education working as a Teacher’s Assistant before becoming a full-time Elementary School Teacher. While working in education, he went on to earn his Master’s Degree at Grand Canyon University in Elementary Education. Will was prepared for the program with his experience at Hilbert College.

Will is currently a part of the Hilbert Alumni Board, and part of the Hall of Fame Committee for Hilbert Athletics. He is grateful for the opportunities that he continues to get after graduating from Hilbert.

Will’s advice to students: Take advantage of the opportunities that Hilbert offers. I met my lifetime friends through getting involved with clubs and athletics on campus. Advocate for yourself!

Carl Santino Zarcone is currently a 1L Law School Student at Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island.

Carl worked as a Paralegal at Gross Polowy LLC in foreclosures, deaths, wills, and estates in Williamsville, New York. In 2018, Carl was recognized with the Valued Volunteer Award from the Town of Cheektowaga for outstanding community service. Carl received this award from the Council Chambers of Town Hall. Carl has also been published for poetry in the book “Quilted Voices”. As well as acted in the Feature Film: “Cabrini” where he had the roles of an Italian Vendor, Injured Pump Worker, and Five Points Resident. Carl also acted in the Netflix Pilot Episode: “The Chain” which is still in post-production and the Dan Licata Comedy Special. Carl’s roots began by working at the Wimbledon Condominiums and at Regal Cinemas.

At Canisius College, Carl was a part of a program called the Legal Academy. This opportunity provided Carl (4) internships at the Erie County Republican Committee, the Niagara Falls Police Department, the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo for the Attorney for the Child at Family Court, and the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. Carl also competed on their Mock Trial Team and was accepted into the National Technical Honor Society before coming to Hilbert College the following year.

At Hilbert College, Carl received a Bachelor’s Degree of Science. Carl was a Legal Studies major, with a Pre-Law concentration and a minor in Criminal Justice. In 2022, Carl graduated Magna Cum Laude and received the McGrath Award in Legal Studies for the highest GPA in his major. Carl was also a 3-year starter on the Soccer Team, and their representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Carl earned Dean’s List every semester and was named to the AMCC All-Academic Conference. Carl was also active in clubs on campus including the Hawk Radio and Esports Team.

Carl was a First-Generation student for Undergraduate and a First-Generation student for Law School. In 2018, Carl became the number one Cornhole player in the State of New York for age 18 and under and number 38th in the state for all age groups. Carl could have competed in nationwide tournaments and had the invites to do so but ceased playing in the American Cornhole League to focus on his academics at Hilbert College.

Carl’s future plans are to finish law school, pass the bar examination, and become an Attorney. Carl would like to continue writing and publish a novel, as well as continue acting and find his way into another feature film. Carl firmly believes in never settling for less, and achieving all that you can be. Carl hopes after his legal career is done, he will make the shift to education and become a professor.

Logan Yotter is a Police Officer for the Village of Middleport and currently assigned as a School Resource Officer for Royalton-Hartland Elementary School.  Logan graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 2020 and went back to receive his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration in 2023 both from Hilbert College.  During the 2020 school year, Logan was hired as a Police Officer for the City of Lockport before leaving early 2021 and then rejoining policing in 2022.  Logan was a member of the Blue and White Society, Leadership Scholarship Program, Graduate of Distinction, Chi Alpha Sigma Student-Athlete Honor Society, Member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), InterVarsity, and the first recipient of the Hilbert Community Impact Award.

During his time at Hilbert College, Logan was a member of the Cross-Country program receiving the Coaches Award both Junior and Senior year, and a member of the beginning of the Hilbert Track Club.  During his first semester of college, Logan created the Kaely’s Kindness 5K in the City of Buffalo to help support Kaely’s Kindness Foundation which supports teen girls with cancer.  Logan currently serves on the Hilbert Alumni Board and Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.

Logan’s advice to students: ‘Find your passion and let it grow!  Create that club, get involved in that event, and be active!  The members of the Hilbert Alumni Board are here to help as resources in any way, so do not be afraid to reach out!’