Alumni Stories

Tanika Williams

April 2025

Get to know Tanike Williams, the 2025 Alumni Board Vice President, a little better. Tanika graduated from SVSU in 2006 with a degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. She works at SVSU as the Graduate Admissions Coordinator. Tanika joined the Alumni Board because she wanted to represent SVSU alongside other people who are passionate about the university. SVSU has inspired to her to continue to add onto her education and always improve in her professional life. When not working at SVSU you can find Tanike running her photography  business, SNAPT Photography!

Jonathan Pope

April 2025

Meet Jonathan Pope, a proud 1999 SVSU graduate and current CEO of the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana!

Jonathan’s SVSU journey was all about connection and community. From impactful mentors like Dr. Roosevelt Ruffin to friendships formed across campus, those relationships helped shape the path he’s on today. It was Dr. Ruffin who encouraged Jonathan to apply for a position at the YMCA—and that one opportunity turned into a 30-year career of service and leadership.

Now, Jonathan leads a team dedicated to making a difference—and he’s not slowing down. This month, he’s celebrating a major milestone: the opening of a brand-new YMCA facility that will serve a rural community in Indiana!

Tara Welch

April 2025

Tara Welch, a 2014 SVSU grad, went from aspiring art teacher to nonprofit CEO at The ROCK! From shaping young artists at the Marshall Fredericks Sculpture Museum to empowering youth and educators through Discover You ^TM, she’s making a lasting impact. Her biggest takeaway? The power of mentorship & community—something she found at SVSU and continues to foster today.

Want to learn more about her work in education and resilience training? Check out discoveryou.org!

Jason Wolverton

March 2025

Get to know Jason Wolverton, the 2025 Alumni Board President, a little better. Jason is a two-time SVSU alumni, graduating in 2007 and 2014. He joined the alumni board because SVSU made such a difference in his life that he wanted to give back. He loves that you can still feel the buzz of campus even decades after you graduate. SVSU helped to instill in him a sense of community that he brings to every job and new environment that he encounters. Jason is most proud of his friends and family, and when not at SVSU you can find him golfing, reading, relaxing, or working out.