Meet undergraduate students from UMass Lowell's Honors College, which challenges, encourages and celebrates students who pursue academic excellence.

  • Abby Mastromonaco
    Plastics Engineering

    Abby Mastromonaco’s passion for sustainability led to a Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy fellowship and research experience in a plastics engineering lab.

  • Adeja Crearer
    English, minors in Political Science and Digital Media

    One faculty member opened a door for Adeja Crearer, and it changed her life.

  • Albert Farah
    Physics, Mathematics

    Albert Farah found multiple paid research experiences at UMass Lowell.

  • Alyssa Puglisi
    Chemical Engineering

    Alyssa Puglisi was awarded a three-year, $75,000 scholarship by Entegris, the second UML student to receive this support from the company.

  • Andrea Patino Galindo
    Finance

    The Honors Program at Middlesex Community College helped Andrea Patino Galindo master English – and transfer to the Honors College at UMass Lowell.

  • Andre Ragel
    Management

    Ever since moving to Lowell from the Philippines with his mom as a child, Andre Ragel has embraced a sink-or-swim attitude – one that carried the business administration major through a busy first year on campus.

  • Annie Cary
    Biological Sciences

    Annie Cary found herself wading through lakes in search of stickleback fish as part of her immunology research.

  • Anthony Gaeta
    Mathematics & Economics

    Anthony Gaeta says his six-month co-op at John Hancock Financial gave him real-world experience in his dream job as an actuary.

  • Ariana Brown
    Computer Science

    SoarCS, a summer program for incoming computer science majors, helped shape Ariana Brown’s college experience.

  • Ayah Awadallah
    English, Journalism and Professional Writing; minor in Graphic Design

    Ayah Awadallah is starting an online magazine for young American Muslim women caught between American culture and the tenets of their faith.

  • Beatriz Martins
    Marketing and Management

    Honors business student and MLK award-winner Beatriz Martins has learned the value of resilience.

  • Benedicta Agyemang-Brantuo
    Chemistry

    Benedicta Agyemang-Brantuo won the 2021 MLK Service Award for starting a club to address health disparities – amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Beth Donaghey
    Director of the Honors College

    As a 1982 graduate with a degree in English, Beth Donaghey took a temporary job as a secretary at the university, just for a year. She never left.

  • Brendon Aylaian
    Business Management

    Army Rangers veteran Brendon Aylaian is working as a financial specialist for the Air Force.

  • Brianna Atwood
    Plastics Engineering

    Brianna Atwood came to UMass Lowell to study plastics engineering – but she’s done so much more. The honors student started a volunteer program that connects UML students with a local school. She has also participated in the professional co-op program, working on fire-resistant seals for airplanes.

  • Brigid Archibald
    English

    Brigid Archibald always wanted to be a superhero. Now the editor of the student newspaper, The Connector, she sees journalists as today’s heroes.

  • Carolina Reyes
    English – Creative Writing

    Inspired by a summer program, Carolina Reyes is determined to become an English teacher at Lawrence High School.

  • Catherine de Groot
    Marketing

    Catherine de Groot enjoys using her marketing skills to help nonprofits in Lowell.

  • Christina  Han
    Criminal Justice

    Christina Han’s work with Multicultural Affairs, her club leadership and her studies in criminal justice converged in her honors capstone: running a “Support Space” for Asian American and Pacific Islander students during a surge in hate crimes.

  • Cora Casteel
    Mathematics

    Cora Casteel says mathematics will help her with a career in policing and criminal justice policy.

  • Coral  Gonzalez
    Nursing

    Coral Gonzalez set her sights on becoming a nurse after she was hospitalized in middle school. The Honors College student won one of the first Oprah Winfrey Scholarships to help her succeed.

  • Corrina Quaglietta
    Nursing

    Honors nursing student Corrina Quaglietta studied abroad in San Sebastian, Spain, the summer after her freshman year. The experience turned her into a huge booster of study abroad.

  • Dana Ibrahim
    Peace and Conflict Studies & Political Science

    Dana Ibrahim chose UMass Lowell for its peace and conflict studies program, which lets her combine classes across the social sciences and humanities to suit her goal: to become a diplomat and aid refugees.

  • 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.

  • Daryle LaMonica
    Biology

    Marine Corps veteran Daryle LaMonica is on the fast track to becoming a doctor through the UMass Medical School Baccalaureate to M.D. Pathway Program.

  • Dashon Jones
    Physics

    Honors physics alum Dashon Jones ’23 took advantage of research opportunities on and off campus.

  • David Rosario
    English

    David Rosario says his professors help him to stay focused and motivated.

  • David Levenson
    Psychology

    David Levenson’s Mock Trial team experience led to a real legal internship.

  • Dean Kennedy
    Mechanical Engineering

    Dean Kennedy always dreamed of a career at Disney. The experience he gained and connections he made while earning his bachelor’s and master’s in mechanical engineering helped make that dream come true.

  • Debby Fernand
    Psychology, Sociology and Race and Ethnic Studies

    Debby Fernand says the River Hawk Scholars Academy has introduced her to friends and faculty mentors – and turned her into a leader herself.

  • Denia Taylor
    Political Science

    Honors student Denia Taylor has overcome many challenges in order to pursue a degree in political science. She plans to take up a career that allows her to combine legal training and philosophy.

  • Douglas Correa Ospina
    Economics and Psychology

    Douglas Correa Ospina plans to combine his studies in psychology and economics to help immigrants and others from marginalized groups become more financially secure.

  • Duc Vu
    Chemistry, UTeach

    Duc Vu discovered his ability to teach in high school, so he signed up for the UTeach program in STEM education.

  • Edina Hirt
    Psychology, Autism Studies

    Honors student Edina Hirt faced hurdles from learning English to battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma while working toward her degree. Still, she won an award for her dedication to community service.

  • Eleanora Peters
    Education

    Eleanora Peters fell in love with teaching at the Boston Museum of Science.

  • Elinor Mayo
    Criminal Justice

    Elinor Mayo has lofty dreams, and Air Force ROTC is helping her find her way to the cockpit.

  • Emmanuel Idehen-Ovabor
    Business and Pre-med

    Inspired by his mother’s careers in health care and business, Emmanuel Idehen-Ovabor is working toward a master’s in health care administration while also pursuing his dream of becoming a pediatrician.

  • Emmy Misail
    English – Journalism and Professional Writing

    Emmy Misail won an Honors College creativity fellowship to draw comic strips under the guidance of an art professor.

  • Eric Roy
    Meteorology and Mathematics

    Eric Roy started doing meteorological research on campus the summer after his freshman year – and then won two research internships with government agencies.

  • Evan Dingle
    English

    Evan Dingle’s passion for helping people and love of international study led him to a job with a nonprofit in Uganda that serves children with special needs.

  • Feriel Boudif
    Biological Sciences

    By her sophomore year, Feriel Boudif had secured two paid research assistant positions on campus.

  • Fidel Castro
    Computer Engineering

    Honors transfer student Fidel Castro wants to make a name for himself in the field of nanotechnology manufacturing.

  • Flore  Stécie Norcéide
    Computer Engineering

    Flore Stécie Norcéide won an Oprah Winfrey Scholarship to study computer engineering here.

  • Franchesca Arias
    Sociology & Spanish

    Honors student Franchesca Arias is passionate about studying abroad after completing a summer program in Valencia, Spain.

  • Garrett Perry
    Mechanical Engineering

    The River Hawk Racing club steered Garrett Perry to UML. Now, he’s on course for a career in motor sports.

  • Grace Chin
    Computer Science

    Great classes and research experience, a professional co-op and a cybersecurity competition are preparing Grace Chin for professional success.

  • Grace Hansen
    Biology, UTeach

    Grace Hansen is researching sports nutrition and brain injuries.

  • Greg Reimonn
    Plastics Engineering

    Greg Reimonn found a faculty mentor to help him research microplastics in waterways, thanks to an honors fellowship.

  • Hannah Allgood
    Exercise Science

    Honors student Hannah Allgood came to UML for undergraduate research opportunities.

  • Hannah Casey
    Political Science

    Hannah Casey signed up for the Model U.N. and Mock Trial teams and student government. She interned with a congressional candidate and a defense attorney. Now she’s student body president.

  • Heer Patel
    Accounting, Finance

    A staff accountant internship at Novogradac confirmed business major Heer Patel’s interest in auditing.

  • Isabella De Souza
    Nursing

    Isabella De Souza has won two scholarships that will allow her to study Spanish abroad, so she can bring multiple languages to her future nursing career.

  • Jack Callahan
    Public Health

    Jack Callahan is pursuing a public health degree to improve the lives of as many people as possible.

  • Jacob Solomon
    English & Mathematics

    Jacob Solomon is as well-rounded as they come. The honors English and math major is assisting with research in a biology lab.

  • James Wilson Joutras
    Liberal Arts – Digital Media and Theatre Arts

    James Joutras came to UMass Lowell to discover himself. His experiences instilled confidence – and took him to Japan, where he plans to work after graduation.

  • Jamie-Lyn Cavallon
    Meteorology

    Jamie-Lyn Cavallon won an NSF-funded meteorology internship.

  • Janelle Christopher
    Education

    Janelle Christopher started studying at UMass Lowell at the same time as her mom, Lorraine.

  • Jared Socolow
    Psychology

    Jared Socolow turned his own struggles into a research project that he will present at the annual conference of the Association for Psychological Science.

  • Jenna Kapp
    Peace and Conflict Studies

    Peace and Conflict Studies major Jenna Kapp has taken advantage of nearly every opportunity that’s come her way on campus. Now she’s finding more abroad.

  • Jennifer Dossantos
    Business

    Honors College student Jennifer Dossantos is majoring in business because she’s inspired by her mom.

  • Jessica Kergo
    Political Science

    Honors student Jessica Kergo has landed great jobs and internships – including one with Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. She also writes for The Connector student newspaper and advocates for mental health awareness.

  • Jeurys Santiago
    Business

    Jeurys Santiago credits his entrepreneurship classes and experiences with helping him launch his networking and marketing company, Minds With Purpose.

  • John Kelly
    Mathematics

    An elective course helped John Kelly ’23 figure out his career interests.

  • Joshua Walsh
    Environmental Engineering

    An honors seminar led Joshua Walsh to design a drinking water system and solar grid for a center in Haiti.

  • Josiah Gennell
    Finance and Management Information Systems

    Business administration major Josiah Gennell loves music and gaming. He hopes that by becoming an information technology consultant, he’ll have the flexibility to pursue those interests and turn them into a career.

  • Juana Guerrero
    Nursing

    Juana Guerrero came to UML with strong academic credentials. A support program helped boost her confidence and leadership skills, too.

  • Justin Baez Peguero
    Business

    Justin Baez Peguero is studying business, working three jobs and serving in student government.

  • Karam Alafandi
    History, Pre-med

    Karam Alafandi is studying history on his way to becoming a doctor.

  • Kelsey Gonzalez
    Public Health

    Kelsey Gonzalez cares for asylum seekers as program manager for Global Disaster Response and Humanitarian Action at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for Global Health.

  • Khadija Mir
    Business Administration

    By participating in the virtual UML Launch! Summer Program, Khadija Mir felt better prepared to begin college remotely during the pandemic.

  • Kripa Joseph
    Peace and Conflict Studies

    Honors student Kripa Joseph is earning her B.A. and M.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies in four years, while minoring in music and pursuing internships that promote diversity and respect among cultures.

  • Kyle Mehan
    Nutritional Science

    Kyle Mehan began researching nutrition when trying to heal his own injuries. Now he promotes a plant-based diet.

  • Kylie  Letendre
    Education, minor in English

    Kylie Letendre, who struggled in school due to ADHD, wants to help children with learning disabilities.

  • Lawreta Kankam
    Public Health, Pre-med

    Lawreta Kankam is passionate about public health. She plans to go on to medical school so she can provide both care and preventive health programs for underserved groups.

  • Lukas Lazarek
    Computer Science

    Lukas Lazarek’s summer research fellowship in computer science at Carnegie Mellon University helped prepare him for graduate school – and won him an award.

  • Maddie Gear
    Marketing

    Maddie Gear’s favorable first impression of UML steered her to a marketing co-op position at CarGurus.

  • Maddy Roop
    Business

    Maddy Roop transferred to UMass Lowell as a business student looking to launch a music career. But along the way she’s become president of the Student Society for Sustainability.

  • Madison Reed
    Plastics Engineering

    Madison Reed works as a research assistant with Plastics Engineering Prof. Ramaswamy Nagarajan in the UML Fabric Discovery Center.

  • Maggie  Davenport
    Mechanical Engineering

    An honors seminar and fellowship sent Maggie Davenport to Haiti, where she’s working on sustainability projects.

  • Malcolm Schrafft
    Music and Theatre Arts

    Honors student Malcolm Schrafft studied his twin passions: music and theater.

  • Marbella Leal
    Nursing

    An Honors College student fellowship gave Marbella Leal a chance to work with at-risk students and do research with a professor.

  • Marilyn Saha
    Electrical Engineering & Engineering Management

    Her experiences in the Honors College and in a college readiness program, Let’s Get Ready, helped Marilyn Saha get a job at Raytheon Technologies.

  • Marita Merheb
    Pharmaceutical Sciences

    As a pharmaceutical sciences major interested in research and business, Marita Merheb pursues all opportunities to advance her goals.

  • Mary Everett
    English & Environmental Studies

    Mary Everett combined her interest in environmental science with a love of writing. An honors fellowship gave her the support to write a group of short stories – which won her admission to a top-ranked M.F.A. program in creative writing.

  • Mateo Rull Garza
    Biology

    Mateo Rull Garza immersed himself in research – and published in a leading scientific journal.

  • Matthew Clancy
    Mechanical Engineering

    As a sophomore, Matthew Clancy designed a small satellite with a vital mission: getting children and teens excited about their STEM studies and aerospace careers. Now he’s developing his LEARNsat for NASA launch.

  • Matthew Levenson
    Criminal Justice

    Criminal justice major Matt Levenson loves an adventure and a challenge—and he’s bent on seizing every opportunity he can while at UMass Lowell.

  • Maureen Kelly
    Civil & Environmental Engineering, Structural Engineering

    A service-learning capstone in Lowell and Haiti transformed Maureen Kelly’s civil engineering education — and her life. She now works for a firm that supports her ongoing volunteer work in Haiti and her mentoring of current students.

  • Maxwell Aaronson
    Political Science

    Maxwell Aaronson is pursuing international experiences and languages, with the goal of working in the Foreign Service.

  • Megan Salsinha
    Biological Sciences

    Student-athlete Megan Salsinha credits her honors research project and academic coursework for preparing her for medical school.

  • Melisa Hussain
    English

    Melisa Hussain’s experience as a visibly Muslim teenager inspired her honors thesis.

  • Melissa DiPano
    Psychology & Spanish

    A class in cognitive psychology inspired Melissa DiPano to do research with two professors and aim for a Ph.D.

  • Mina Lam
    Finance and Marketing

    Mina Lam added “Japanese Student Association founder” to her already busy schedule.

  • Moniphal Bing
    English

    Moniphal Bing was able to study abroad in Cambodia, which his parents fled before he was born, through a new partnership with the American University of Phnom Penh.

  • Mya Neary
    Entrepreneurship & Management

    Mya Neary won an honors fellowship to learn more about running an urban farming nonprofit. Now she’s volunteering with Mill City Grows while developing her own business plan.

  • Nancy Chac
    Business

    So far, Honors College student Nancy Chac has signed up for three honors classes every semester. It could be a record.

  • Nazeli Acosta
    Physics

    Nazeli Acosta won a State Department Scholarship to study rural health care in the Dominican Republic.

  • Nicholas Trunfio
    Business

    Nicholas Trunfio immersed himself in history while studying abroad.

  • Noah Mason
    Chemistry

    An introduction to research helped Noah Mason find his passion.

  • Olivia Hebert
    Finance and Marketing

    Olivia Hebert discovered a passion for corporate real estate at UMass Lowell.

  • Pablo Ruiz
    Mechanical Engineering and Computer Engineering

    Pablo Ruiz returned to school for a second bachelor’s degree, and he’s going on for his master’s degree, too.

  • Patrice Olivar
    Exercise Physiology & Psychology

    While double-majoring in psychology and exercise physiology, Patrice Faith Olivar has gained both research and practical experience. UMass Lowell has opened more doors than she thought possible.

  • Payal Patel
    Biology, UTeach

    When Payal Patel started college as an engineering major, she missed tutoring and teaching – so she decided to make education her career.

  • Pratibha Gautam
    Economics

    Pratibha Gautam’s job at a medical device incubator inspired her to pursue a career in health economics.

  • Qiana Curcuru
    Mechanical Engineering

    Qiana Curcuru loves UMass Lowell for its opportunities. The honors student is president of the campus chapter of the Society of Women Engineers, has done a professional co-op at iRobot, has taught and interned at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and done research with two professors on campus.

  • Rachel Jordan
    Economics

    Rachel Jordan says that discovering the chair of the Economics Department was a woman helped convince her to come to UMass Lowell.

  • Rachel Record
    Criminal Justice

    Honors student Rachel Record won a full scholarship to law school, thanks to the Legal Studies Program and research and practical experiences.

  • Roma Aurora
    Management Information Systems & Marketing

    Roma Aurora has become a strong and valued presence on campus, from her roles as president of both the Manning Leaders Council and Marketing Society, to her ambassador work for both international students and student alumni, to her participation in the DifferenceMaker Program.

  • Ryan Cormier
    Mechanical Engineering, MBA

    Graduate student Ryan Cormier is enjoying one extra year on campus before joining the workforce.

  • Sammy Santana
    Liberal Arts

    With an unbridled passion for learning, Sammy Santana is pursuing his numerous interests through the BLA program.

  • Sara Aldahabi
    Biological Sciences

    Between UML’s rigorous coursework and vast extracurricular activities, Sara Aldahabi feels ready to take on dental school.

  • Sarah Elizabeth McDermott
    History

    Sarah Elizabeth McDermott is grateful for scholarships that are helping her to graduate debt-free, because in the future she won’t have to say “No” to any opportunities.

  • Sarah Curley
    Accounting

    Affordability drew Sarah Curley to UML, but her experience led to a wealth of opportunities and set her up for an accounting career.

  • Scott Penfield
    Mechanical Engineering

    Honors mechanical engineering major Scott Penfield has traveled extensively on two continents besides North America – and hopes to add a fourth before long.

  • Sean Simonini
    Political Science, Biology

    Sean Simonini is making an impact at the Statehouse and beyond.

  • Shanice Kelly
    Physics and Mechanical Engineering

    Shanice Kelly is a leader in multiple campus clubs because she wants to get more students of color involved in STEM, especially space science programs.

  • Sid Iyer
    Plastics Engineering

    Sid Iyer has taken advantage of internships, research opportunities, the DifferenceMaker program and more to pursue his goal: a career in biomedical research and development.

  • Sofia Savoca
    Civil Engineering

    Sofia Savoca chose UMass Lowell for the opportunity to be in the Honors College and to study civil engineering. She’s found a dozen new opportunities since arriving on campus.

  • Sonakshi Chaudhary
    Biological Sciences

    Sonakshi Chaudhary came to UML planning to transfer. She stayed after falling in love with everything the campus has to offer.

  • Sophie Combs
    History

    Sophie Combs knows her research is going somewhere: into the online Library of New England Immigration.

  • Stephanie Ceballos
    Biochemistry

    Whether studying abroad or conducting research, Stephanie Ceballos is making the most out of her UMass Lowell experience.

  • Stephanie Guglielmo
    Mathematics

    Honors student Stephanie Guglielmo is all about studying abroad.

  • Sunilda Frias
    Biology

    Honors College Student Fellow Sunilda Frias is studying biology to help subsistence farmers improve their soil.

  • Syeda Nizami
    English & Psychology

    Syeda Nizami is using scholarships, research fellowships and work-study jobs to graduate with low debt, so she can afford a career helping others instead of working to pay off student loans.

  • Tanya Kieu
    Mathematics

    Aspiring math teacher Tanya Kieu ’24 gained real-world teaching experience through the UTeach program.

  • Teerth Patel
    Mechanical Engineering

    Teerth Patel had to pinch himself after landing a manufacturing engineering internship at Tesla — just after his internship at Procter & Gamble.

  • Thomas Sherriff
    Exercise Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy

    Thomas Sherriff was the lead author on a paper about functional movements of firefighters.

  • Tim  Murphy
    English Literature

    Tim Murphy says his experiences at UMass Lowell have increased his confidence along with his expertise.

  • Thomas Heywosz
    Math and UTeach

    Thomas Heywosz’s experiences in the UTeach program and in Haiti have made him a successful high school math teacher.

  • Twisha Mohapatra
    Business

    Twisha Mohapatra says her experiences in the River Hawk Scholars Academy and the Honors College have boosted her confidence, taught her leadership skills and set her up for academic success.

  • Vanessa Chen
    Computer Science

    Vanessa Chen likes computer science because it’s both logical and creative.

  • Varsha Perkins
    Education

    Varsha Perkins loves both her teaching and honors classes.

  • Veyli Ortiz Solis
    Criminal Justice

    Veyli Ortiz Solis earned a B.S. in criminal justice in just three years – with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

  • William Lefebvre
    Environmental Science with Sustainability Option

    From attending COP28 in Dubai to joining the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy, William Lefebvre is learning that environmental science is also an art.

  • Wonder Ahiatsi
    Quantitative Economics

    Wonder Ahiatsi chose UMass Lowell for its B.S. in quantitative economics.

  • Yonnie Collins
    Exercise Science, Family Health Nurse Practitioner

    With her people-first approach, Yonnie Collins found success in her coursework and her extracurricular activities.

  • Yrvanie Joseph
    Plastics Engineering

    Yrvanie Joseph is grateful for alumni scholarships because they confirm the value of her hard work and academic achievements.

  • Zayna Basma
    Political Science, Arabic & Spanish

    Zayna Basma volunteered at a center that helps Burmese refugees - and became fascinated by refugee policy and research.