December 10, 2025
SVSU recognizes standout alumni
The Saginaw Valley State University Alumni Association recently honored seven alumni with the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Celebration. These awards recognize SVSU graduates whose personal and professional achievements have positively affected their community and strongly reflect the values of SVSU.
Five individuals, representing each of SVSU's academic colleges, were selected for a Distinguished Alumni Award. They are:
• Ellen Rodman for the College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences
• Marcia Thomas for the Scott L. Carmona College of Business
• Leland Jennings for the College of Education
• Marissa Palmer, D.N.P., R.N., for the Crystal M. Lange College of Health & Human Services
• Dr. Jolynne Grant for the College of Science, Engineering & Technology
The SVSU Alumni Association also recognized two other honorees. Bethany Alford received the Veteran Alumni Award, and Nancy Haddad Derleth received the GOLD (Graduate Of the Last Decade) Alumni Award.
Brief biographies of the recipients follow:
Ellen Rodman is a 2005 SVSU graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in communications and political science. Rodman is the Michigan operations director for U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin, leading statewide initiatives, overseeing office operations and ensuring community needs remain central to the Senator’s outreach. Previously, Rodman served more than 16 years with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, most recently as deputy state director and scheduler. Dedicated to civic engagement, she has volunteered with the American Red Cross for over 15 years and served as secretary of the Saginaw County Democratic Party for nearly two decades.
Marcia Thomas graduated from SVSU in 2001 with her M.B.A. Thomas is chief diversity officer and global HR business partner for corporate at Aptar, where she made history as the company’s first Chief Diversity Officer and leads Inclusion Equity and Belonging initiatives. Under her leadership, Aptar has been recognized by Forbes as a Best Workplace for Women for three consecutive years. She is rooted in her community, having served on the Underground Railroad and Saginaw Historical Society boards. She is a GOLD life member and treasurer of the Saginaw Branch NAACP.
Leland Jennings graduated from SVSU in 2008 with a Master of Education in principalship. Jennings is a dedicated and forward-thinking educational leader who serves as principal of Shields Elementary School in the Swan Valley School District. He is known for balancing academic rigor with social-emotional support, ensuring that every student’s needs are met both academically and personally. Jennings has made a significant district-wide impact through his participation and leadership on various projects, including the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Committee.
Marissa Palmer, DNP, RN, graduated from SVSU in 2021 with her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Palmer is the chief nursing officer for MyMichigan Health. She holds Certified in Executive Nursing Practice certification from the American Organization of Nursing Leadership. Palmer’s core career objectives are to advance nursing practice at MyMichigan by actively participating in organizational growth toward generational sustainability. She values giving back to others so all thrive in her community, with areas of service including Shelterhouse, Midland Public Schools, Miracle Field and United Way.
Jolynne Grant, DVM, graduated from SVSU in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in biology. Dr. Grant is the owner of Great Lakes Pet Emergencies in Saginaw, which she founded in 1999 to fill the gap in regional veterinary care. Dr. Grant is among the few veterinarians in Michigan board-certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in both canine and feline medicine. She extends her compassion throughout the community by providing discounted care and charitable support to local pet rescues and Humane Societies, and she offers medical care for local police dogs.
Bethany Alford graduated from SVSU in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in communications. Alford serves as the director of Military Student Affairs at Saginaw Valley State University and is a senior chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, with 24 years of service. Alford’s leadership has strengthened veteran support on campus, including creating direct equivalencies for military training in higher education and achieving national and state recognitions such as Military Times’ “Best for Vets” and the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency’s Veteran-Friendly Schools Gold level. Alford also received 1st State Bank’s RUBY Award, highlighting her professional and regional influence.
Nancy Haddad Derleth earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication from SVSU in B.A. in 2018. She is an associate attorney at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, practicing in the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. In 2025, Derleth was honored as a “Member to Watch” by the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. She currently serves as president of the Great Lakes Bay Chapter of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, and she is also an active member of the State Bar of Michigan, Saginaw Bar Association, Midland Bar Association and National Arab American Bar Association.