The Ice Cream + Cake Break: ODU's Alumni Podcast

On Tuesday, October 13, the Ice Cream & Cake Break sat down with the all-alumni flight crew from HELSEACOMBATRON-2 ahead of their flyover at the Thursday night October 15 game against Georgia Southern.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Krista Harrell '01 '03 '11 and Max Leisten, founder and CEO of the Protopia platform, about our new partnership launching Ask a Monarch Alum. Max explains how Protopia uses AI and smart email (not another app!) to match student and alumni questions with relevant Monarchs across ODU’s 200,000-strong network. The platform lowers friction: requests are short, coached, and easy to answer, so alumni can offer quick advice or deeper mentorship if they choose. The result: scalable, equitable career support that teaches students how to network and connects alumni to meaningful volunteer opportunities.

Insurance may not be the most exciting topic for recent grads, but understanding its importance is crucial as they step into the adulting world. In this special edition episode, we talk with our Farmers Insurance partners, Booth Greene and Paul Dormas, to understand why insurance should be on every young alum's to-do list; covering the differences between comprehensive and collision insurance, the significance of coverage limits based on assets, and how to use insurance as a safety net for life's unexpected events.

In this episode, Cristina discusses her journey through higher education, attending both ODU and Norfolk State, and also earning a Master's Degree online. She reflects on the challenges and rewards of her life as a military spouse and educator, highlighting the diverse experiences that have shaped her professional path, including a fond classroom memory dealing with...geometry?

On this special guest host pod, Alison Lietzenmayer '02, Director of Senior Experience & Internships, Communication & Theatre Arts and Director of Faculty Development, Monarch Humanities Internship Academy, hosted a live panel with ODU Communication grads, Sydney Stewart '23, Aaron Hodnett '13, Dr. Fred Tugas '13, and Lauren Ciampoli '13 '15 to find out how they've been using their Comm degrees out 'in the real world.'

*Note: since this recording, Dr. Tugas, a returning friend of the pod, has been promoted to Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice President for Strategic Operations for the Division of Student and Campus Life at Old Dominion University!

Dr. Sunny Jha shares his journey from medical student to esteemed anesthesiologist and leader in healthcare, highlighting his EVMS experiences and the vibrant campus spirit that shaped him, while also advocating for physicians to adopt broader community roles. His narrative spans from campus memories to significant global medical missions in Iraq and Ethiopia, illustrating how these experiences have influenced his advocacy work and commitment to quality care. Dr. Jha also answers VHS-student submitted questions about his career trajectory, offering his experience and advice.

Iran>Boston>Norfolk. Mohammad Ehteshami literally hitchhiked to ODU's campus in order to complete his degree in Mechanical Engineering. Along the way, he found an inclusive community and engaging professors which laid the foundation for his career, ultimately leading him to become the Founder of Beehive Industries. Specializing in 3D printing and engineering innovation, the company draws inspiration from the teamwork of bees.

Award-winning sports broadcaster, Woube Gebre, shares his journey from Charm City to the bustling campus of ODU where he credits his experience at the Mace & Crown as well as WODU as the foundations of his career. He reminisces about the vibrant campus life, particularly during Activity Hour. Now a Media Specialist for Hampton City Public Schools, Woube continues to stay connected to his alma mater, attending athletic events and following us on ALL the social media channels! His journey exemplifies how finding your niche can forge fulfilling career paths.

ODU alumnus and CEO of Valor Cybersecurity, Greg Tomchick, details his journey from almost failing out in his freshman year to becoming an entrepreneur. He shares his experience of returning to ODU with a scholarship, joining the Strome College of Business, and being inspired by his baseball coaching staff. His journey to cybersecurity came from a cyberattack on his first company which awakened his passion for helping others avoid similar scenarios.

In this episode, Paul Moxey, an ODUAA 40 Under 40 for 2024, shares his academic and career journey, spanning across the United States and eventually the globe, navigating a path across different continents, finally landing a role at Royal Caribbean, all while maintaining a family connection to maritime industries and love of travel.