Leaders Take Reins of Two New Alumni Chapters
New presidents aim to engage alumni in the University’s growth
Sacred Heart University has named the presidents of its two newest alumni chapters. Dario Melendez ’08 will head the new Chicago/Milwaukee chapter, and Michael Johnson ’06 will take the reins of the new Greater Hartford chapter.
Melendez is the host and reporter for Bally Sports Wisconsin’s broadcasts of Milwaukee Brewers’ baseball and Milwaukee Bucks’ basketball games. He also has worked as a television sports journalist for over a decade at places such as ESPN, NY1, WISN in Milwaukee, WI and WINK in Fort Myers, FL. Through these experiences, Melendez has become well-versed in sports communications and broadcasting, and his career has taken him to Florida, Connecticut and New York.
“I’ve been involved in alumni activities since I graduated back in 2008. Every chance I have ever had to help and give back to the SHU community, I have jumped at without hesitation, whether that means mentoring an aspiring broadcaster or helping teach students about mass communications,” Melendez said. “When the opportunity arose for me to help expand the Sacred Heart brand westward and connect with other alumni in the process, it was an easy decision.
“I have been having conversations with SHU’s alumni brass for years now, and I’ve been able to form some closer relationships in the process,” he said. “One day, I sent an email saying ‘I don’t know if we have an alumni chapter in the Chicagoland/Milwaukee area, but there has to be some alumni this way. If you’re interested, I’d love to start and head-up a new chapter and help our westward SHU expansion’ for alumni Pioneers. They thought it was a good idea, and here we are.”
Melendez, who graduated from SHU with his BA in media studies, served as co-editor-in-chief of the University’s award-winning newspaper, The Spectrum.
Greater Hartford alumni leader wants more involvement
Johnson is vice president of government relations for Sullivan & LeShane, a public relations company in Hartford. He has been a lobbyist at the State Capitol for more than 10 years.
He graduated from SHU with a BS in government/politics and business management. He then began his career as a staff member of New York’s State Senate.
This year, Johnson earned a certificate in public affairs management from the Public Affairs Council, an international, nonpartisan association for professionals in the field. In 2019, the Hartford Business Journal included him in its “40 Under Forty” list.
“I always want to live up to the Pioneer name by taking the lead on things most people are resistant to doing,” Johnson said. “I started hosting pre-game alumni receptions before basketball and hockey games in Hartford and saw how authentic SHU alumni are regardless of age, race or ethnicity. It’s important in life to take risks to be successful, and every idea I’ve ever brought to the alumni team has always been carefully considered.”
With many Sacred Heart graduates still living in Connecticut, Johnson hopes his fellow alumni will see the chapter’s events as more than just meet-ups. “The inclusive culture SHU facilitates perfectly aligns with what this chapter will represent. Hartford has a number of alumni looking to engage with the school’s continued growth, and we’re going to be bridging that connection so folks see a deeply tied community,” he said.
“We are thrilled that Dario and Mike have stepped forward to connect and engage alumni in their respective geographic regions,” said Todd Gibbs, executive director of development and alumni engagement. “They are loyal and ambitious leaders that care deeply about their fellow Pioneers. We look forward to their plans for bringing alumni together. SHU’s Alumni Chapter model is rapidly growing in a manner consistent with the expanding national and global profile of the University. We strongly encourage any alumni with a desire to serve, like Dario and Mike, to raise your hand and start the conversation at gibbst@sacredheart.edu.”
For more information about Sacred Heart alumni engagement or to get involved with a regional chapter, visit SHU’s alumni involvement webpage.
Pictured: Dario Melendez, left, and Michael Johnson