New vice president named for VU
Mary Grace Almandrez has been named Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff to the Valparaiso University President, the Rev. Brian Konkol, effective June 1, according to a release.
Almandrez joins Valparaiso University from Syracuse University, where she currently serves as Vice President for People and Culture, a release said.
In her new role, Almandrez will serve as a senior adviser and operational partner to Konkol, advancing institutional priorities and ensuring coordination and alignment between presidential vision and university-wide implementation.
Prior to joining Syracuse University, Almandrez held senior leadership roles at Brown University and the University of Rhode Island.
Lowell trooper leads state in DUI arrests
An Indiana State Police trooper was recently honored at the state’s annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony in Indianapolis for the 2025 District DUI Award, the DUI Life Award — Top 5 and the Trooper of the District Award, according to a release.
Lowell Trooper Aidan Baker was recognized for the highest number of DUI arrests in the Lowell district in 2025 with 151 DUI arrests, which also earned him a place among the top troopers statewide, as he received the DUI Life Award – Top 5.
In addition, he was named the 2025 Lowell Trooper of the District. His contributions both on and off the roadway distinguished him among his peers for this recognition, the release said.
Franciscan Crown Point hosting doula workshop
Franciscan Health Crown Point is hosting a DONA International Birth Doula workshop over two weekends in May and June.
Doulas are trained professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their clients before, during and shortly after childbirth, a release said.
The doula workshop will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. May 30-31 and June 6-7 at Franciscan Health Crown Point, 12750 St. Francis Drive. Participants must be 18 years old or older and attend all four days of classes to receive a certificate of completion.
The cost for the workshop is $600 and must be paid after registration. Registration is available online and must be complete by May 18. For more information, call 219-746-9134.
ISP honors ‘25 Dispatcher of the Year
Brianna “Bri” Wright, who covers the Lowell and Lafayette Indiana State Police districts, has been named the 2025 Dispatcher of the Year, according to a release.
Wright, who works at the Lowell Regional Dispatch Center, was recognized during the annual awards ceremony in Indianapolis recently.
In 2025, Wright played a major role in improving the center’s training program, developing new materials and assisting in the training of five new dispatchers and handled 7,861 calls for service, the release said.
Leadership Northwest Indiana program announces graduates
The Leadership Institute at Purdue Northwest recently announced 2025-26 graduates.
Facilitated by a team that includes professors from the PNW College of Business and leadership practitioners, the 41-person group met once a month for eight months. The facilitation team provides research-based leadership content and skill-building for effective leadership in the workplace and in life, a release said.
Graduates of the 50th LNI cohort include: Gladiola Alvarez, HealthVision Midwest; Susana Batres, NIPSCO; Allison Beebe, Tonn and Blank Construction LLC; Tony Boren, Total Roofing and Construction; Mark Borst, J.S. Held; Michelle Bush, Purdue University Northwest; Heather Castle, Lake County Public Library; Nicholas Christian, Crisis Center INC; Fernando Cruz, Hammond Group Inc.; Tiffany Cummings, Paladin Care; Helen Curtis, PNW; Tammi Davis, Chase Bank; Kia Dawson, Gary City Court; Halie Gonlag, Highland Police Department; Juan Gonzales, Hammond Group Inc.; Tinisha Greenwell, City of Hammond; Kristy Hahn, Family Advocates; Elaine Hardy, St. John’s College of Nursing; Evelyn Harris, United Way Northwest Indiana; Eric Haverstock, Urschel Laboratories Inc.; Anne Hoover, Hammond Group Inc.; Shairay Jones, Geminus Corp.; Andria Lewis, United Neighborhoods Inc.; Jasmine Marquez, PNW; Dorette McNeary, Geminus Corp./Recovery Matters Stark; Winoska Medina, HealthVisions Midwest; Sarah Moore, Cedar Lake Police Department; and
Adrienne Mordica, Liberty House Recovery Café; Reid Mosson, PNW; Natalia Nacovski, Tonn and Blank Construction LLC; Nicole Otis, Community Advocates of Northern Indiana; Kelly Peck, Hope Alliance of NWI; Ingrid Rais, Lake County Criminal Probation Department; Daniel Rivera, Restoration House Ministries Inc.; Katie Sannito, The Gourmet Goddess/Munster Chamber of Commerce; Cara Schmitt, Chesterton Art Center; Jasmine Smith, Jubilee Worship Center; Jamia Steele, NIPSCO; Aleesha Thirkles-Williams, Ivy Tech Community College; Surbhi Saxena, Regional Health Systems/Geminus Corp.; and Darrell White, City of Hammond.
More information can be found online at pnw.edu/leadership-institute or by reaching out to the Leadership Institute at leadershipinstitute@pnw.edu.
