Student Engagement Staff
Your connection to what’s happening on campus
We offer a variety of ways for you to get involved, make friends, and develop skills towards your future career. Let the fun begin and don’t forget to challenge yourself and your thinking!
Alexandra Jabara Johnston, M.S. (she/her/hers)
Director for Student Engagement
Formerly the Associate Director for Leadership Programs, Alexandra (Ali) was promote to her current role in Summer 2023. Her primary role is to manage all aspects of student engagement by supporting student programming, including orientation, night and weekend events, thought-provoking ideas about social justice issues, student organizations, and many other fun happenings on campus.
She has been at Gwynedd Mercy University since 2013 — first as a graduate student, then as an employee in the Office for Student Engagement.
Ali has been fortunate enough to lead a multitude of Alternative Spring Break service trips, as well as a pilgrimage to Dublin Ireland for the Young Mercy Leaders Conference in 2018. She believes strongly in the mission of the University and sees it as the context from which we build our work.
Prior to her time at GMercyU, Ali worked in youth development and has created leadership programs in conjunction with PA CareerLink. She earned her Masters of Science in School Counseling degree from Gwynedd Mercy University and her Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree from Temple University.
Ali loves reading, traveling (16 countries and counting!), theater, buying a lot of plants, writing letters to elected representatives, and baking – if you stop by, she will probably have some sweet treats to offer!
Cecily Ritchie
Coordinator for Student Engagement
Cecily Ritchie joined Gwynedd Mercy University in Summer 2025 as the Coordinator for Student Engagement. In this role, she helps create a well-rounded co-curricular experience by planning and implementing a robust calendar of campus-wide programs and events. She serves as the advisor to the Student Activities Committee, supports signature traditions like Red & Gold Day, the Christmas Tree Lighting, Finals Breakfast, and Grad Week, and contributes to orientation and commencement programming. Cecily also supervises student workers and helps maintain key student engagement spaces on campus.
Cecily brings with her a strong background in student affairs. Prior to joining Gwynedd Mercy University, she held several roles at Villanova University, including Graduate Assistant in the Office for Undergraduate Students and Graduate Intern in the Office of Student Involvement, where she supported student organizations, leadership development, and professional programming. She also served as President of the Graduate Student Council, where she worked to elevate graduate student voices and build a sense of community across campus.
Her passion for student engagement began at Lehigh University, where she served on two large-scale event planning committees and was deeply involved in campus life through roles in residence life, student-led programming, and peer leadership. From her involvement, Cecily received three awards from Lehigh University for her contributions to the student experience.
She holds a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Higher Education Leadership from Villanova University and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Health, Medicine, and Society from Lehigh University, and a minor in Marketing.
Cecily is passionate about student development and providing engaging opportunities where every student feels seen, welcomed, and supported.
Outside of work, she enjoys going to the gym, shopping, hiking, playing video games, and spending time with her friends and family.