Alvernia's Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes people who demonstrate the valuable contributions to their professions, community and their nation. All biographical information current at the time of the award.
Degree:
- B.A. Criminal Justice '82
Bio:
Andres Dominguez studied Criminal Justice as one of Sister Pacelli’s boys in the early '80s. He studied and studied and kept studying through the Reading Police Academy, the State Police Academy, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and the Secret Service Training Academy near Washington D.C.
Andres served as a Special Agent for the United States Secret Service for 28 years and protected every U.S. President from Reagan to Obama. He served as the Diplomatic Attache for the USSS in Bucharest, Romania. Andres retired from the USSS in May of 2016. He could have moved into an easy post-career life of security work or speaking engagements. Instead, Andres came home to serve as the Chief of Police of his hometown, Reading, PA.
Andres believes that the key to Reading’s success begins with the youth of our communities. Another focus is to improve the morale of the all Reading Police Department employees and to leave his city with a new image, that of a diverse and successful Reading that is a safe place to work and visit.
Andres was very involved with Saint Peter’s Church during his time as an ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥ student and he remains connected to St. Peter’s to this day. Andres is one of ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥â€™s greatest advocates. He has personally directed his wife, his brother, his daughter, his son and his sister-in-law to attend ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥. Andres resigned as Chief of Police of Reading in January 2020.
- Achievements (Academic and Professional)
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- Received recognition as a State Trooper for the apprehension of two bank robbers in Chester County, PA.
- Received recognition for undercover drug investigations and arrests in Allentown & Bethlehem, PA.
- Received recognition from DEA for assistance in an undercover investigation.
- Received recognition for the advance and assistance in hospital security preparation for President Regan.
- Received recognition for arranging the first MOU between the Romanian Ministry of the Interior and the US Secret
- Service for the purpose of continuing cooperation with criminal investigations.
- Promoted to GS-15, the highest Federal rank outside of Executive Service.
- Volunteer Activities (church, community and college related)
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- Volunteered to assist in career days and other special events at the elementary and High School level.
- Active church volunteer
- Established the reading Police Youth Academy to provide guidance, training and another pathway for their future.
- Andres’ Dominguez, Jr. resigned as Chief of Police of Reading in January 2020.
Melissa R. Marcario
Degrees:
- BA Psychology and English '93
- Master of Arts – Psychology, Northern Illinois University – 1997
- Doctor in Clinical Psychology, Norther Illinois University – 2002
Bio:
Dr. Melissa Marcario is a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of clinical experience helping people reach their potential and resolve obstacles getting in the way of living a purposeful life. Helping people get back on track and make meaning in their lives after major life changes and trauma has been the focus of her work for the past 14 years. Areas of clinical interest and expertise include insomnia, recurring nightmares, depression, stress and anxiety, chronic worry, panic, social anxiety, trauma, PTSD, loss, adjustment to illness, caregiver stress and phase of life concerns. Dr. Marcario’s approach is evidence-based, flexible, and client centered including a variety of psychotherapy methods such as cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal that help clients find renewed meaning in their lives, manage difficult emotions, improve coping ability, resolve inner conflict, and try new ways of thinking and solving problems.
After earning her degree from ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥ in 1993, Dr. Marcario earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Northern Illinois University and completed an internship at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare system. She has many years of experience at the VA working with late adolescent, adult and older adult individuals and their families experiencing a variety of problems and concerns, including combat and deployment related stress, trauma, and readjustment.
Originally from New York, Dr. Marcario has lived in the Pittsburgh area for over 14 years and loves spending time with her family and enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, biking and traveling to National Parks.
- Achievements (Academic and Professional)
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- VA Certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD
- VA Certified in Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD
- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Past Member
- Psychology Club at ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥ College, Past President
- Psi Chi at ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥ College, Chapter Organizer and Founding Member
- Clinical Psychologist – VA Pittsburg Healthcare System
