Dream big and work hard. That's the River Hawk way. UMass Lowell students pursue  their passion for learning in the classroom and beyond. They are each unique but are united in their drive to make a difference. Here are some of their stories.

  • Rena McFall
    Political Science

    Rena McFall led student organizations and gained national and international experience in Washington, D.C., preparing for a future career in international law.

  • Andrew Whitcomb
    Marketing and Management

    Andrew Whitcomb is representing 75,000-plus UMass students on the state Board of Higher Education — while working as a digital marketing co-op at Keurig Dr. Pepper.

  • Daphne Shakira Naut
    Political Science & Philosophy

    Honors College student Daphne Shakira Naut was already fluent in two languages and had started on two more by the time she finished high school. Here at UML, she’s picked up a fifth language and studied abroad three times – all while supporting herself.

  • Chummeng Soun
    Asian Studies, Digital Media

    Chummeng Soun is documenting the traditional dances of his native Cambodia with support from the Center for Asian American Studies and the Southeast Asian Digital Archive.

  • Linda Barg
    Finance & Marketing

    A deep-rooted desire for financial independence drives everything that Linda Barg does.

  • Simone Peironnet
    Radiological Sciences and Protection

    Simone Peironnet secured a job with Boeing as a health physicist before graduating from UMass Lowell.

  • Michelle Garcia
    English, Sociology

    Michelle Garcia, a rising spoken word poet, is also learning how to write poetry for the page.

  • Juan Boungou
    Global Studies

    Juan Boungou, a former Fulbright Fellow, started a nonprofit for underprivileged youth in the Republic of the Congo. Now he’s earning his Ph.D. in global studies to expand his learning and his impact.