mikecieslak@hotmail.com 
@MJCieslak


I have been involved with the DC Spartans since 2001, served on the Executive Board since 2003, and president since 2007. There has been tremendous growth in our local alumni association. Our membership has steadily risen and we have diversified our networking activities. Outside of our game-watches and co-ed athletics, we have held professional development events such as our Linkedin Evening featuring MSU’s John Hill, MSU @ the Zoo, Paint the Town Green, a ski trip, Hands-on-DC, Jimmy Wayne Benefit Concert, Ronald McDonald House, happy hours (with the other alumni clubs), wine tastings, and bus trips to the Penn State to name a few. We have also re-incarnated Spartan Splendor into the Green and White Gala. This is our signature event where we raise money for the Betty Mitchell Colden Scholarship and recognize a distinguished alumnus from the area. These events exemplify the diversity of activities we offer to our alumni as well as our commitment to Michigan State University values.  In addition, we have reorganized the Executive Board structure to improve efficiency and became a 501(c)(3) in 2007. Much of our success is due to the effort, dedication, and enthusiasm of our Executive Board and volunteers who have been guided by our shared mission, vision, and values.

Originally from Walled Lake, MI I have lived in Northern Virginia since 2001. Currently, I am an Educational Specialist in the office of Instructional Technology Integration for Fairfax County Public Schools. Prior to accepting this position I was the social studies department chair and teacher at Hillwood School in Fairfax and Eastern High School in Lansing, Michigan. 

In May 2011, I graduated with a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from The George Washington University. My dissertation topic focused on leadership and learning organizations. The dissertation experience has been very applicable to my tenure as President of the DC Spartans. 

Finally, I earned a BA in History and a minor in Political Science from the College of Arts and Letters in 1998. In addition, I graduated in 2002 with an MA in Curriculum and Teaching while studying at MSU’s International Teacher Program in Valbonne, France.

kellerlynn@gmail.com@lynnmkeller 

Lynn Keller is currently the Facility Security Officer for i2, Inc. in McLean, VA. Lynn received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University in 2002. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Criminal Justice with a Security Management Specialization from Michigan State University. While an undergrad at MSU, Lynn was involved in many student organizations and activities such as; RHA, where she was the Secretary and later MOCC (Michigan Organization Communications Coordinator), was a Resident Assistant in Holden Hall and was the Vice-President for Alpha Phi Sigma, the Criminal Justice Honor Fraternity. 

Lynn first came to the DC area as an intern at Georgetown University Law Center’s Office of Public Service and Community Service in September of 2001, while participating in the MSU DC Semester Study Program. Upon graduating from MSU in May 2002, she returned to the DC area, where she now lives with her husband, Josh, a fellow MSU and DC Semester Study Program Alumnus and son Jacob. 

As a MSUAA-DC member and current Vice President, Lynn has planned and attended many events sponsored by the club. She continues to be involved in the DC Semester Study Program by attending receptions and talking to students who are currently participating in the program. 

paul.mccarthy173@gmail.com

Paul is a 2006 accountancy graduate from the Michigan State University Broad College of Business.   Born and raised in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago, he currently resides in Northwest Washington DC and has been a DC resident since May 2010.  After receiving an undergraduate degree in Accountancy from MSU, he went on to receive his Masters in Accounting and worked in Chicago for the Public Accounting industry as a financial statement auditor for three years.  Paul is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Fraud Examiner.  He currently works for the Department of Defense Inspector General as an Auditor.

Paul is an avid MSU sports fan, being a student ticket holder for football and a member of the Izzone for his entire undergraduate career at MSU.  When he is not working avidly to promote MSU interests as a Treasurer of the Board, he can be found volunteering at the Washington DC Humane Society, advocating the interests of mistreated animals and volunteering at adoption events.

rpkahan@gmail.com 
@ICanBoilWater

Rachel Kahan currently works as an Account Executive for a private DC-based fundraising consulting firm.  Prior to that, she was the Assistant Director of Development for the DC office of the Anti-Defamation League.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University in 2007, with a major in International Relations from James Madison College.  At MSU she was involved in many student organizations and activities including the International Relations Organization, Michigan State University United Model United Nations conference, the MSU Student Housing Cooperative and MSU Tae Kwon Do.

 Rachel first came to DC as an intern at the Atlantic Council of the United States in January of 2007, while participating in the MSU DC Semester Study Program.  She stayed in the area upon graduating from MSU, and has since become involved with the MSU Alumni Association.

 She has been involved with the College of Social Science’s Semester in DC Program since she participated in 2007; speaking on alumni panels, as well as bringing students to DC alumni gatherings.  

rwbrown1@hotmail.com   

Rob received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Michigan State University in 1995 and later graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2000.  He has been a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar since 2002 and has practiced in the areas of complex litigation, civil rights class action, bankruptcy, worker's compensation, patent litigation, mergers/acquisitions, personal injury and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) investigations.
 
Rob currently does business development in the eDiscovery field in Washington, DC and is an avid MSU football fan.  He resides in Crystal City, Virginia.  

smcurrie@gmail.com 

Scott is from Ortonville, MI and graduated from the MSU College of Law in 2007. He currently works in the Solicitor's Office at the Department of the Interior. Scott has been an active participant with the DC Spartans since 2007 and has been the Director of Athletics since 2010. Prior to attending graduate school at MSU, Scott spent two years working in the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman Dave Camp from Midland, MI. Scott also volunteers for the DC Volunteer Lawyers Project, Domestic Violence Unit.

hurwitzd@hotmail.com 


David Benjamin Hurwitz is an Associate Vice President and Certified Financial PlannerTM practitioner with Ameriprise Financial.  David focuses on financial planning for retirement, retirement income strategies, investments and estate planning strategies and believes success should be measured not only by your financial well-being, but by how confident you feel about your future. 


David graduated from Michigan State University in 2002 with a degree in Finance.  He is a native Washingtonian and now lives in Bethesda with his wife Melissa and son Jonathan.  His favorite extra vocational interests include golf, cycling, and travel. 

kendralgreene@gmail.com 
@kendralgreene

Kendra is a 2004 MSU graduate with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology - Pre Law. Born and raised in the East Lansing area, Kendra grew up on MSU athletics, trips to Wharton Center, Small Animal days. With strong roots still the East Lansing community, she finds it very rewarding to have the opportunity as the Director of Scholarship to encourage those in high school in the DMV area to consider attending MSU for college. After living in Oklahoma for two years while attending graduate school, Kendra has lived in the greater DC area for five years and works in the public higher education sector.