We Salute Our Spring 2025 Graduates

Kyle M. Webb is an accomplished IT services executive with more than 12 years of experience designing and managing innovative IT solutions for government, healthcare, manufacturing and nonprofit sectors. As director of IT services for the Knox County Commissioners, Kyle built a robust IT department, spearheaded large-scale system migrations, and implemented cutting-edge security and disaster recovery solutions. A strategic leader, Kyle excels in stakeholder collaboration, cross-functional team empowerment, and delivering transformative technology projects. Graduating today with his M.S. in Cybersecurity, he also holds a bachelor’s degree in information systems management from Shawnee State University. 

Dr. Patricia Upton is an enthusiastic and dedicated healthcare professional from Ohio. She has 15 years of experience in clinical care and healthcare administration. Tricia is passionate about health equity and ensuring people have every opportunity for maximum health attainment. She is eager to apply what she learned throughout her studies in the Doctor of Healthcare Administration program to improve the world her son grows up in and help every community she interacts with. Like her peers, Tricia is graduating from Franklin University with an enhanced skill set, ready to make a difference.

Erin O’Neill is a dedicated leader with a career that spans higher education, nonprofits and journalism. A grants administrator at Washington State College of Ohio, Erin also serves on the Marietta (Ohio) city council, where she works to improve workforce development, city finances and strategic planning, and public services. A Graduate Student Scholarship recipient, she earned her M.S. in Marketing & Communication while balancing a career, a commitment to public service and, most importantly, raising her daughter as a single parent. Being a devoted mom to her child, who is now a student at Columbus College of Art & Design, remains her greatest achievement.  

Ashley Sampson is an entrepreneur and leader dedicated to making a meaningful impact. She is the founder of Divine Light Cleaning Services, an Airbnb professional cleaning business, and works as a computer lab manager, overseeing Edgenuity, a program that helps students recover credits or earn initial credits toward graduation. Ashley maintained a 4.0 GPA while earning her A.A.S. Business Administration at Franklin University and plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in human resources. Ashley’s ultimate goal is to lead, empower and drive positive change through a career in HR and administration.  

Dr. Anita Hunter has been teaching graduate-level nursing courses at Franklin since 2022. Anita worked as a pediatric nurse practitioner before moving into academia, where in addition to teaching, she began her journey into international nursing. For 22 years, she enlisted nursing students in significant efforts abroad including working with victims of The Troubles in Northern Ireland and establishing sustainable health programs in Mexico, the Caribbean and Africa. Anita’s career, which spans more than 50 years, also includes publishing extensively. Since retiring, she has enjoyed teaching online, as she loves working with students. Dr. Hunter holds a master’s in nursing from the University of Massachusetts, a pediatric nurse practitioner degree from Northeastern University and a doctorate from the University of Connecticut. 

Sara Rollo has been teaching undergraduate mathematics courses at Franklin since 2021. In addition to actively engaging students through discussion posts and weekly live meetings, Sara encourages her students and displays compassion, understanding and empathy. Additionally, Sara created two co-requisite remediation courses, presented at the Student Success Leadership Institute, and serves on the Ohio Public University and College Math Chairs and Leads Network. Sara continues to seek opportunities to support and promote student success. A graduate of the University of Akron with a master’s degree in applied mathematics, Sara is currently working toward a doctorate in organizational Leadership with a focus in higher education leadership.