K-State Alumni Association announces updates to staff
The K-State Alumni Association has hired two new staff members and promoted five members.
Josh Diazdeleon ’23 has joined the Association staff as associate director of alumni programs.
He will work with the programs team in directing in-state and out-of-state alumni club events, along with assisting the K-State Athletics department with planning and coordinating Catbacker Club events and the Junior Wildcats Club. Additionally, he will oversee the annual North Texas Boots & BBQ event.
Malea Karnes ’25 has joined the Association staff as Alumni Center event coordinator.
She is responsible for the K-State Alumni Center’s event and room reservations.
Michelle Elkins ’87, who held the title of associate director of awards and special events, has been promoted to director of alumni awards and engagement.
She started with the Association in 2014. Elkins directs awards and events programming for the Association including the Wabash CannonBall Colorado gala, the Iman and Alumni Excellence Awards along with various other special events and programs. She will now also oversee the Alumni Fellows program.
Jacob Marintzer, who held the title of network and technology administrator, has been promoted to senior network infrastructure and security administrator.
He started with the Association in 2008. He is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining the K-State Alumni Association’s physical and virtual components of the network infrastructure while also managing its security systems against cyber threats.
Tim Schrag ’12, who held the title of editor of K-Stater magazine, has been promoted to senior editor of K-Stater magazine.
He started with the Association in 2015. As editor, he is responsible for the K-Stater magazine including conception, planning, writing and layout. He also supports other communications initiatives.
Brandon Moreno, who held the title of assistant director of engagement and belonging, has been promoted to associate director of engagement and belonging.
He started with the Association in 2022. Moreno coordinates the Association's programming efforts for multicultural and international alumni and develops engagement opportunities around communities that identify through race, ethnicity and country of origin. He is a Student Alumni Board adviser and works with various other student programming.
Erin Cleary, who held the title of alumni programs assistant, has been promoted to assistant director of alumni programs.
She started with the Association in 2023. She will now oversee the Alumni Association’s Legacy Scholarship program and serve as the scholarship contact with K-State’s Office of Financial Aid, coordinate the annual Faculty/Staff Happy Hour and will continue to provide assistance with additional Association constituent events including the Kansas City Wabash CannonBall gala.
“We have one of the best alumni teams in the country,” said Adam Walker ’04, ’09, Alumni Association president and CEO. "This is an exciting moment of change for the Association. Through our team’s collective expertise, dedication and experience the Association is able to better reach, connect and serve the K-State community."