Mercyhurst community members excel in Erie Reader's 40 Under 40

Congratulations to five members of the Mercyhurst community featured in the Erie Reader's 40 Under 40: alumnae Gabrielle Catrabone, Jaslyne Walter, and Michelle Schrimper; Adjunct Professor of Mercyhurst's Sports Business Management program, Tiffany Frits; and Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Computing and Information Science, Chris Mansour.

Gabrielle Catrabone
Gabrielle Catrabone ’14 earned her degree in Finance from Mercyhurst while playing on the Women’s Soccer team all four years. Throughout college, she worked in Residence Life, the Recreation Center, and IT, which provided the opportunity to connect with different aspects of the university community. Now, as director of constituent engagement and special events at Cathedral Prep, Catrabone serves as an essential link between alumni and supporters, remaining rooted in Mercyhurst values of social connectedness and service. When reflecting on her Mercyhurst experience, Catrabone expressed gratitude for the impact it had on her personal and professional growth, specifically the mentorship of professors Dr. Argaez, Professor Anderson, Dr. Yalcindag, and Dr. Zaphiris. “Their encouragement, mentorship, and belief in my potential challenged me to think differently, gave me confidence in my abilities, and helped shape the professional I am today,” she said. Catrabone returned to campus to coach Women’s Soccer in 2022, and she described it as “really special” to give back to the program that brought her to Mercyhurst.

Jaslyne Walter
Jaslyne Walter graduated from Mercyhurst with a Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies as well her Master of Science in Information Technology and Data Analytics. She currently serves as the IT talent pipeline program owner at Erie Insurance, board president of Meals on Wheels Erie, vice chair of Junior Achievement of Western PA (Erie), and co-chair of Erie Insurance’s Asian Pacific Affinity Network. Guided by the Sisters of Mercy’s spirit of kindness and service, Walter attributes her Mercyhurst foundation with shaping the values she continues to bring to work and community involvement. Specifically, under the mentorship of Political Science Professor Dr. Federici, Walter felt the greatest impact as both a student and person. “His kindness, patience, and genuine investment shaped who I am as a leader and influences how I show up for people today.”

Michelle Schrimper
Michelle Schrimper ’10 earned her bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Event Management from Mercyhurst. Having worked early in her career as a catering sales manager and event planner in the hotel industry, Schrimper’s passion for hospitality and the Erie community has come full circle in her current role as a client and community relations specialist at PNC. Building meaningful relationships, delivering exceptional service, and fostering community engagement have been central themes throughout Schrimper’s career.  She credits her experience at Mercyhurst with providing the foundation for a profession focused on connecting people, creating memorable experiences, and making a positive impact. "Being recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree is a meaningful reflection of the values I learned at Mercyhurst and continue to strive for both personally and professionally,” Schrimper said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to create exceptional experiences, build strong relationships, and contribute to the communities I serve."

Tiffany Frits
Tiffany Frits, vice president of customer experience at Erie Insurance, serves as an adjunct professor at Mercyhurst in the Sports Business Management program. Frits’s dedication to creating opportunities and fostering social connection reflects in her professional and personal experiences. Throughout her career, Frits has worked in a variety of roles in the athletics industry while consistently advocating for those in need and creating meaningful impact in her community. Giving back to Erie as a fundraiser for Shriners Children’s Hospital, a soccer coach, and an active volunteer, Frits embodies the Mercy spirit.

Chris Mansour
Christopher Mansour is a founding member of Mercyhurst’s nationally recognized Cybersecurity program, and he now serves as an associate professor and the chair of the Department of Computing and Information Science. Born and raised in Lebanon, Mansour came to the U.S. to study computer engineering and engineering at Villanova University, and he has since been a pillar in the Erie community for educating young cybersecurity professionals and growing the innovative technological ecosystem. His passion for teaching emphasizes his commitment to the Mercy core values of service, generosity, and intellectual creativity.

PHOTO: (L-Top) Gabrielle Catrabone, (L-Bottom) Michelle Schrimper, (Middle-Center) Chris Mansour, (R-Top) Tiffany Frits, and (R-Bottom) Jaslyne Walter. (Photos taken by Jessica Hunter/Erie Reader).