Where Are They Now?
catching up on English major graduates

Our department brochure states that majoring in English provides excellent preparation for law, education (both college and high school levels), government service and even business. A survey of some of our recent graduates proves that English is indeed a versatile major that leads to all sorts of places...

• Pervis Brown ('98 Xavier English graduate)
  Hometown: St. Louis, MO

After Xavier, I went to St. Ambrose University in Iowa for Grad School and earned an MBA and pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in Sp. 99' (Delta Beta Beta Chapter in the Talented 10th D). Moved to Silver Spring, Maryland and worked as a Business Analyst/HRIS Manager for a Staffing company, whose owner now owns the Baltimore Ravens. Moved to Studio City, California (Los Angeles County). I love Cali...too much fun and I met my wife there.

• Carlyn Addison ('99 Xavier English graduate)
  Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama

I am a Criminal Defense attorney.

• Victor Jones, B.A., Ed.M. ('07 Xavier English graduate)
  Hometown: Pascagoula, MS



I recently received a Master's Degree (Ed.M.) from the Harvard University School of Education. I will be teaching 6th-8th grade English for a year in Boston, with the intent on going to law school in 2009 (praying and aiming for Harvard Law!)

• Melissa Clay Worthy ('01 Xavier English/English Education graduate)

I am proud to be a high school English teacher for the 7th year!

• Mike Molina ('97 Xavier English graduate)
  Hometown: 8th Ward Gentilly, 1/2 Lower 9, 1/2 7th Ward, 100% New Orleans

Father, Author, Lawyer, Educator, Activist, Performer, Entrepreneur... After Xavier, I did a year in American Studies at NYU. Even though I connected with so many people, began dabbling in spoken word and helped found Blackout Artists Collective, I was homesick as a mug and came home. Spent a year back home working for attorney Kern Reese, and decided law school was the route. I went to Yale Law, met my wife on the first day and graduated in 2002.

• Youshea Berry ('98 Xavier English graduate)
  Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

After graduating Emory Law school I run my own business, real estate, and nonprofit law firm. I'm licensed in Georgia, Maryland, District of Columbia, and the US Supreme Court.

• Yvette Green Pittman ('00 Xavier English graduate)
  Hometown: Nashville, TN

After leaving Xavier, I moved to Maryland to attend University of Maryland College Park. I finished my MA in English and am now teaching high school.

• Wendy Greene ('99 Xavier English graduate)
  Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina

After graduating from Xavier, I went to law school at Tulane and then made pit stops in D.C. and Houston. I returned to D.C. in 2005 to get my masters in law at George Washington Law School, and I just relocated to Birmingham, Alabama. I am a law professor and loving every minute of it. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to help at least one person every day and to impact the lives of the next generation of "social engineers" and who knows—future presidents of the United States!?!

• Zakiya Farris ('02 Xavier English graduate)



I went on to earn my Master's in English from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2004). Since then I've taught at Marquette University for the Upward Bound program and full-time at Milwaukee Area Technical College. In 2006 I relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to take a position at Spelman College as the Senior Programs Coordinator for the UNCF/Mellon Programs. I work with the director of the programs to manage two undergraduate and four faculty career enhancement programs for UNCF students and faculty. I am also responsible for much of our offices' literature including our website language. I majored in English because I was passionate about literature and writing. I had no idea then that my degree would lead me to my current position, but one of the many wonderful things about an English degree is the doors that it opens.

• Shanell (Williams) Cavil, M.A. ('98 Xavier English graduate)
  Hometown: Kenner, LA

  I've been happily married for six and half years and have a REALLY energetic three year-old little boy. I'm a copywriter in Houston, TX and I also freelance on the side. I enjoy long walks on the beach, sky diving and speed racing! (Okay, just kidding on this last part!!)

• Noemi Robinson Esq. ('02 Xavier English graduate)
  Hometown: Chicago, IL

  I am currently practicing Family Law in the state of Louisiana. However I am in the process of changing my section of practice to Sports and Entertainment Law.

• Esperanza Tervalon-Daumont ('98 Xavier English graduate)
  Hometown: Oakland, CA.

  I was recently named the Regional Field Director for Northern California with Obama for America. With the family and house in place in Oakland, I couldn't go on to other states with OFA; so I came on board with Barbara Lee for Congress as the Political Director. I am so lucky to love what I do, do what I love, and love the people around me.

And the list goes on... This is just a sampling of our English Dept. graduates. Many more could be mentioned and, in future issues, perhaps will be. Here's just three more for good measure:

• Sabine Cadeau ('03 Xavier English graduate) earned an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Illinois. She is currently enrolled in History PhD program at the University of Chicago.
• Tyi Franklin ('02 Xavier English graduate) received a Nursing degree from Duke University.
• Stephanie Rodgers ('06 Xavier English graduate) is enrolled (with a full fellowship) in the English Literature PhD program at the University of Iowa. Her areas of specialization include medieval English literature and Latin.

Stephanie Rodgers

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