Class of 2010
A Hudson, Ohio, native, Christie Fleming ’10 was familiar with Franciscan University, as she had attended several Steubenville Youth Conferences and knew a few young women from her church youth group who went there.
It was a top choice, but she missed a crucial deposit deadline. Because there wasn’t space in a residence hall for her, Christie registered for college elsewhere.
A Franciscan University admissions counselor called her on May 1, National College Decision Day, to say a room had become available. Christie tearfully explained to him that she had committed to attend another college. The admissions counselor picked up on her uncertainty and said he’d give her a day to think about it. When he called the next day, she had the same answer. The admissions counselor encouraged her to talk with her parish priest, whom he knew, and gave her another day to decide.
“That was one of my first experiences of true prayer and discernment,” Christie says. “God got me here. I’m so grateful.”
The elementary education major counts her semester in Austria among her formative experiences, along with membership in her household, Stella Mariae, and her efforts to found Solidarity, a social justice awareness club, that brought to campus a survivor of the Rwandan genocide.
After graduation, Christie served as a missionary in Africa for a year, worked in youth ministry at the parish and high school levels, and served in a nonprofit centered on Theology of the Body. Most recently, she taught kindergarten for five years in northern Virginia.
In March 2021, she returned to Franciscan to accept a job as the director of Alumni Relations, “a refreshing change” from the fast pace of the Washington, D.C., area, she says.
As alumni director, Christie aims to help the University’s thousands of graduates remain connected to their alma mater. Despite the uncertainties of the pandemic, Christie has been able to host alumni events in Ohio, San Diego, and Washington, D.C., and she looks forward to future trips to Austria with alumni. She also seeks to engage graduates through Legends From the Hill, a podcast she hosts with Meghan (Bartnick ’10) Coen. In addition, she cultivates bonds between current students and alumni, who can help mentor them or offer internships.
Fittingly, Christie likes traveling and also enjoys hiking, visiting wineries, and spending time with friends. She lives in Steubenville.
Melissa Zifzal writes from Wintersville, Ohio.
