Undergraduate Students

Before Aaron Stella graduated from the medical laboratory science program, he had more job offers than he knew what to do with.

Aaron Wilson chose UMass Lowell because of the strength of the public health program. Once he transferred, he immersed himself in campus life, getting involved in everything from clubs to research as a laboratory assistant at the Toxics Use Reduction Institute.

Through the Manning School’s Business and Entrepreneur Scholars in Training program, Abby McNulty developed a case study analysis of the Columbia Gas explosions.

Motivated by the loss of a lake he had enjoyed as a child in his native Uzbekistan, economics major Akbar Abduljalil has taken on the role of president of the Student Society for Sustainability.

Akshay Alamuri says UMass Lowell fit his family’s budget – and his own goal of becoming a physical therapist.

The Model U.N. program and a semester interning and learning in Washington, D.C., helped Alejandro Lopez put economic and political theory into practice - and paved the way for a successful career.

A research scholarship taught nursing student Alexa DeVito more about her chosen profession – and gave her a faculty mentor.

Allyson Toppi never thought she could work in robotics. An internship at Brooks Automation changed her mind – and turned into a full-time job.

Through leadership opportunities as a student-athlete, exercise physiology graduate Amanda Baptiste found her voice — and discovered her calling to become a high school biology teacher.

Amina Mohammed is the first Youth Poet Laureate of Worcester and a first-year nursing major who loves helping people, especially children.

After a globetrotting career in IT, Amos Kungu of Kenya is setting his sights on starting his own company. He's working on a master’s degree in entrepreneurship — while working full time and raising a family.

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

A scholarship introduced Andreas Himariotis to research – and a possible career as a sports researcher.

After making his mark at UML as Student Government Association president, Manning School of Business senior Andre DiFilippo is excited to get started on a sales career.

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.

The summer after his freshman year, Andrew Stanwicks worked in a hospital rehabilitation research lab.

Andrew Sciascia’s studies in political science and homeland security are combining with his student newspaper experience to prepare him for a career as a political analyst.

Until her senior year of high school, Angela Messina assumed she couldn’t afford college. But thanks to scholarships and work, she’s pursuing her dream of being a public school teacher.

As a well-being coach, Angeline Castillo reaches out to other health sciences students to ease their stress.

Annie Soup Koagne is getting everything she can out of UMass Lowell, while working to make it a better place.

Electrical engineering major Arielle Joasil discovered a gold mine of opportunities at UML, including a co-op at Thermo Fisher Scientific, a fellowship at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and a research assistant role at UML’s Center for Advanced Computation and Telecommunications.

Majoring in Public Health helped Ashley Ventrillo turn her passion for women's rights into a career.

Augustin Cruz came to UMass Lowell for its exercise science program and the wealth of research opportunities for undergraduates.

Ben Jeter’s experiences at UMass Lowell, including participating in the professional co-op program and his job as a resident advisor, turned him into a student leader.

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

Benjamin McEvoy has been racking up wins as a DifferenceMaker competitor with partner Edward Morante and their idea for an inclusive combination of baseball and cricket, Benji Ball.

Biar Kon grew up in refugee camps in Kenya. Now he gives back to the city’s refugee community through his work with the International Institute of New England.

Bradley Sherwood explains history to school children and adults at the Tsongas Industrial History Center, an educational partnership between the university and Lowell National Historical Park.

Army veteran and business major Brendon Aylaian is working on a solar energy project in Haiti for his Honors College capstone.

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

After working with Alzheimer’s patients while in high school, Bryanna Ippolito is pursuing her bachelor's in nutritional science and developed a program for students who someday may be working with Alzheimer’s patients to understand what it’s like to live with the disease.

As a music business major, Brynne Santos performs in four ensembles while also learning about marketing, management and licensing.

Carla Gonzalez Hidalgo is a full-time student and her family’s sole support. Yet she finds time to volunteer for causes she believes in.

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

Caroline Owusu lost an internship because of the COVID-19 pandemic – and found a passion for research.

Cassie Harding’s internship experiences as a public health student inspired her to tackle the big health and wellness challenges facing people in the cities and towns around her.

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

Nutritional science major Catherine York seems to excel in all that she does.

During her six-month sales operations co-op at Kronos, business administration major Chanelle Cruz developed her Salesforce CRM problem-solving skills.

In a sport where team chemistry is vital, UML hockey player Charlie Levesque brings the perspective of an actual chemistry major – one with the goal of one day becoming a chiropractor.

Rising sophomore Chris Burns, one of five UMass students to win a $10,000 William Bulger Presidential Scholarship, came into the Manning School of Business with a strong sense of purpose.

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.

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.

An elbow injury may have thrown the promising baseball career of Collin Duffley for a curve, but fortunately he still has his nuclear engineering career to fall back on.

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

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.

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.

Daniel Barros thought the law might be a good way to help people. His classes in legal studies confirmed it.

Daniel Howell spent several years addressing the opioid epidemic in Lowell. Now, he’s working on a pandemic: COVID-19.

Just as she does in the high jump, junior business major Danielle Poublon reached new heights during her operations management co-op at Raytheon.

Dannalee Watson loves working in hospital labs, where she analyzes patient samples for signs of disease. She says it’s like being a medical detective.

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.

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.

Nursing student David Nguyen learned how to provide hands-on care to COVID-19 patients during the pandemic.

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

David Todisco says his political science classes, internships and experiences through UML's partnership with The Washington Center are helping him forge a political career.

Whether it’s working to improve campus life as Student Government Association president or responding to an emergency call as a student EMT, David Morton has dedicated himself to making UML a better place.

Davood Dashti’s love of photography helped him transition from home in Iran to college life in the United States. Now, the Manning School of Business student is focused on a professional photography career.

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

Declan Burke struggled in school as a child. Now he plans to become a special education teacher.

Dejonai Willis began her UML career in a support program for first-generation college students. Now she’s thriving.

By constantly building his network, Dennis Patel ’19 ’20 made the most of his undergraduate and graduate education — and landed a global supply chain analyst co-op job at Lockheed Martin.

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

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.

Edward Morante says his studies in education and English, and his participation in the DifferenceMaker program, are preparing him to teach children of all ages.

Edwyn Shoemaker hasn't had an easy road through life. But he’s taken the right steps for success in his education and wants to help others do the same.

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

Ellen Panetto was always interested in anatomy and how the body works, but wasn't sure exactly what area she wanted to work in. Her clinical rotation experiences led to her decision to pursue a career as a pathologists' assistant.

Emily Crespo came to UML for its affordability – and for the River Hawk Scholars Academy, now a supportive community for first-year, first-generation college students.

Manning School of Business grad Emily Lara ’20 has been California dreamin’ for some time. Now her dream is coming true.

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

Studying abroad in London convinced business student Emoni Baffour ’18 to return to the UK for graduate school and pursue her passion for a career in the fashion industry.

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

Erin McGuire has been able to ease into her new job as staff geologist at Nobis Group in Concord, N.H., while putting the finishing touches on her bachelor’s degree in environmental science with a geoscience option.

As co-president of the Society of Environmental Scientists student organization, Evelynn Cousey has developed leadership skills that she plans to take into a career in environmental policy and law.

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

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

George Dylan Bistany completed his master’s degree abroad in fall 2019 at the Czech Technical University in Prague.

Gifty Kessie takes advantage of opportunities to learn and grow – and then turns around and offers a helping hand to others.

Giulia Rabbito came to UMass Lowell for soccer and a business education – and then fell in love with economics.

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

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

Motivated to help patients regain strength to live their best possible lives, Haley LaFreniere was inspired early on by her mom to pursue a health-related field.

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.

Hannah Daly researched the opioid crisis with one professor and the alt-right with another. She’s already published the results of a public opinion survey she helped design, and now she wants to use her research skills to influence public policy on behalf of women.

As a merchandising co-op for TJX in Framingham, senior business administration major Hayley Buonodono of Amesbury took a giant step toward her career goal of working as a buyer in the retail industry.

A staff accountant internship at Novogradac confirmed business major Heer Patel’s interest in auditing — and opened the door to her becoming just one of 32 college students from across the country selected for its new Building Opportunities mentorship program.

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.

Three bus rides, a different language and a challenging curriculum were not roadblocks for Isaura Jimenez on her path to a nursing degree. She saw them as challenges to be met.

For electrical engineering major Jack Goutier of Attleboro, failure was part of the job during his six-month product safety co-op at Bose Corp.

2021 Student Commencement Speaker Jamie Smorczewski knows what it means to persevere, over injury, health issues, the pandemic and life’s curveballs.

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

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

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

When she was younger, Jennifer Schultz didn’t want to be an engineer. Yet here she is, a summer intern in the office of Nonspec, a company that offers low-cost prosthetic limb systems. She even trekked to India with UMass Lowell’s B.V.B. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program.

A first-generation college student, Jeremy Duford was nervous about starting college. He says the River Hawk Scholars Academy was a tremendous support.

Jessica Dossantos chose UMass Lowell for its patient simulation labs – and because her twin sister liked the university, too.

José Archila Quezada found support and a network of friends in the MAGIC program, which helps students from underrepresented groups pursue medical school.

When music education major Joshua Santana teaches local grade-schoolers to play violin through the university’s String Project, he connects with them because he was once in their shoes.

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

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.

Joyce Vega is grateful for all of the scholarships she was able to apply for through UML’s scholarship portal.

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

Joining a club as soon as she arrived on campus got Julie Lawton experience on two political campaigns as well as internships in the Boston mayor’s office and the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus – all within a year.

Julie Lun is the first in her family to attend college – and she wants to help other first-generation students start on the path to better lives.

Kadeem Davis stepped out of his comfort zone to start the Black Student Union. He’s learned a lot about leadership and building an organization—and about the diverse interests of black students on campus.

Through her coursework, business student Kanya Derisme gained the skills and knowledge needed for a career in digital marketing. Through her leadership roles in student organizations, she learned something about herself.

As one of three siblings in college, Karina Provost says her family appreciates financial awards, such as the Kennedy Family Merit Scholarship.

Katie McGourty took advantage of UML's Bachelor’s-to-Master’s program and completed her master’s in one year. She landed a job with Pfizer Inc. in the inflammation and immunology department before she graduated.

Kellsie Howard has managed to achieve a lot in her first two years in the Manning School of Business, including organizing a DECA competition, starting two clubs and working as a co-op at Putnam Investments.

As an accounting co-op at iRobot, business administration major Kelly Dankese of Wilmington discovered a symbiotic relationship between what she learned in the classroom and the work she was doing for the Bedford-based tech company.

Business student Kelly Michael Skelton plans to earn his undergraduate and MBA degrees in just four years – and with zero debt – while juggling multiple jobs and extracurricular activities.

As a first-generation college student, Kelsey Gonzalez struggled to find a major she liked. Then she studied abroad – and came back determined to help other first-generation students.

Business administration major Keviana-Joy George transformed from a shy transfer student to an outgoing student leader who is on track for a career in human resources.

As one of the university’s first DC-CAP Scholars, mechanical engineering major Kevin Akers is pursuing his dream of becoming an astronaut — while also continuing to make a difference in the lives of others.

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

Thanks to his internship and co-op experiences, plastics engineering major Kraig Scharn ’20 discovered that sales was the right career path for him. He is now a junior technical service engineer for Entec Polymers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Working as a client services and relationship management co-op at MFS Investment Management debunked a lot of assumptions business major Kristen Reardon had about the financial industry.

Kristina Ogbarmey-Tetteh took advantage of the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences’ Student Resource Center as a first-year student, and now she’s a tutor there.

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

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

Lana Bashir fell in love with UMass Lowell when she toured the campus.

Laura Cabrera's studies in philosophy and psychology have given her great personal insight - and the confidence to pursue a creative career in music, art and dance.

Laura Brushingam, a finance student and member of the UML field hockey team, landed a summer internship with Krispy Kreme, where she helped the company prepare for its IPO and presented her work to senior leadership.

Lauren Gary transferred to UMass Lowell to study psychology and work with people with disabilities. Thanks to faculty advice, she entered the bachelor’s-to-master’s program in autism studies – and found a job in her field before finishing her undergraduate degree.

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.

Just a couple of months after graduating with a master’s degree in atmospheric science, Lena Dziechowski landed a breakthrough job as a television meteorologist.

Leslie Marrero says schools are already inviting her to apply for teaching jobs because she’s earning dual certification in teaching students with moderate disabilities.

UML prepared Lianna Partee for a career that she’s passionate about. After completing her nursing degree here and working as a registered nurse for a year, she returned to earn a master’s degree in gerontological nursing.

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

Lindsey Roberts worked her way through the clinical laboratory science program and a master’s degree, too. Now she’s the laboratory supervisor at Lowell Community Health Center.

Linh Nguyen developed a cloud-based market data tool — and a newfound interest in financial technology — through her data science experience with the Nasdaq Futures Internship Program.

As Student Government Association president, Lisa Degou meets with Chancellor Moloney every month to negotiate for student interests.

A born entrepreneur who was tuning up old lawn mowers and selling them online at the age of 6, Louis Cirignano made the most of his opportunities at UMass Lowell. He’s using his degree in business administration to launch a financial management app that he developed through the DifferenceMaker program.

During her final semester at UMass Lowell, Maddie May Scott’s band was invited by rock royalty Melissa Etheridge to join the all-star lineup playing on Etheridge’s annual seven-night spring cruise.

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

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

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.

Marina Novaes was inspired to pursue a career in health after a mission trip to El Salvador. Marina's experiences through her sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau, and the peer-education group Campus Advocates for Prevention Education, motivated her to apply (and be accepted into) UML’s Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Public Health program.

Marvens Francois says switching his major to economics was one of the best decisions of his life.

As an undergraduate, Mateo Rull published a paper on axolotls in a leading scientific journal. He plans to pursue a career in animal movement research.

Laid off from his job, Matt Zablocki used the setback as an opportunity to return to UMass Lowell and complete his undergraduate degree in business administration.

Matt Cherkerzian is an EMT majoring in criminal justice who helps with research into decision-making by first responders.

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.

After Matthew Fowler's mother underwent heart surgery, he observed the nurses, who worked with both intelligence and kindness. The experience inspired him to choose nursing as his career.

Thanks to professional co-ops at New Balance and Teradyne, mechanical engineering major Matt Macioci has designs on a future career working with complex machinery.

Matt Murphy quit vaping after a two-year addiction. Now he speaks out against teen vaping every chance he gets.

Mechanical engineering grad Maxwell Dumerant, who was activated by the Mass. National Guard to assist with the state’s pandemic response during his senior year, landed a job at General Dynamics Electric Boat.

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

Criminal Justice major and community organizer Mayara Reis says the diversity at UMass Lowell let her be who she's supposed to be.

Thanks to her co-op and internship experiences at Kronos, business administration major Maylis Brito has broadened her career options beyond her concentration in finance.

Meghan Berking ran across the country to raise $7,500 for cancer research after losing her father to colon cancer.

Business administration major Melanie Sunnerberg has a passion for finance that she’s honed through a co-op experience at MFS Investment Management and her leadership roles in student organizations.

Melanie Carignan is so enthusiastic about the undergraduate education major that she volunteered to be the College of Education’s first alumni ambassador.

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

Michael Aloisi always knew that he wanted to teach. The College of Education is helping him discover all the ways that he can do it – even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michael Hines, a former college athlete who wants to own his own athletic or physical therapy facility one day, is following the exercise and fitness management degree pathway.

The Medical Lab Science program helped Michael McCormack use his problem-solving skills to land a job learning how diseases occur.

Honors student Michael Doane has won several prestigious fellowships and scholarships for his cancer-related and biofuel research. He says UMass Lowell does a great job of structuring both classes and learning experiences that build on one another.

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

Mickyas Yihdego, an electrical engineering major originally from Ethiopia, helps the Lowell Housing Authority digitize its blueprints archive through his work-study job at O’Leary Library.

Senior chemical engineering major Mina Le chose a work-study job at the front desk of the Student Employment Office because she wanted to improve her communication skills. She’s done that and more, being named the university’s Student Employee of the Year.

Miranda Melo feels well prepared for her nursing career. Her past clinical rotations included working at Lowell General Hospital, Winchester Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and the Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of New England.

Plastics Engineering major Molly Tecce and partners from the 3D Club leapt into action to make PPE when the pandemic struck.

The River Hawk Scholars Academy, a support program for first-generation college students, gave Monica Kong the confidence she needed to succeed – and lead.

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.

Business student Nadine Chamoun, whose concentrations are in finance and management, stepped out of her comfort zone for an information technology system development internship at Needham Bank. And she’s glad she did.

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

Nancy Pin is on her way to becoming a family nurse practitioner so she can help the community.

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

For Nery Rodriguez, public health is the perfect major to combine science with helping people and communities.

Neyder Fernandez is finding ways to be politically active, from campaigning for Joe Kennedy to serving on a citizens’ advisory board for Lowell police.

Nick Abourizk started college with plans to pursue a biology degree – but he couldn’t deny his passion for acting. An Oprah Winfrey Scholarship affirmed his decision to switch his major to Theatre Arts.

Biology major Nicholas Benjamin has a penchant for keeping things healthy and safe — whether it’s people or animals.

By working with the Office of International Experiences & Study Abroad, chemical engineering major Nicholas Langberg was able to add a two-month internship to his summer school program in Germany.

Nicolas Troisi gained extensive experience from his clinical lab rotations and landed a full-time job as a medical laboratory scientist at Winchester Hospital. He started in April, before he even graduated.

When Nicole Cruz Merced overcame her shyness and reached out to a professor, it changed her life.

Nicole Hayek came to the Manning School of Business to prepare for a career in marketing. Along the way, she's been able to fulfill her passion for music.

Nisarg Jhaveri is learning all about global supply chain operations — and how to work remotely with colleagues in far-flung locations — in his summer internship with Dell Technologies.

Exercise Science major Olivia Houle plans on pursuing a career researching prosthetics and orthotics.

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

Patrick McCallum got a leg up on his plastics engineering career with an internship at Wittmann Battenfeld, where he worked alongside the company's president, alum David Preusse '85.

Patrick Pang knew he wanted hands-on experience conducting research. As a college freshman in the Immersive Scholar program, he conducted research on protective wear that helps prevent injuries.

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

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

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

Music studies major Rachel Sullivan discovered more than a way to earn money through her campus job with Transportation Services. She also found a genuine camaraderie that has enriched her college experience.

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

Rafaela Gonzalez wants to care for people as individuals and in communities, so she's majoring in sociology and minoring in psychology. She's also started her own business.

Rafal Thaher brings a unique international perspective to her coursework in the Manning School of Business. After fleeing war-torn Iraq with her family in 2005, she has spent the last two decades pursuing her passion for entrepreneurship.

Roberto Rivera combined a B.A. in English literature and Spanish and Italian with a master’s degree in education to become an ESL teacher in the Lawrence schools.

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 Herrick’s studies and many internships prepared her for a job working with troubled teens.

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

After a life-changing health scare, Sean Flaherty recommitted himself to academics. He graduated from the Manning School of Business with a perfect 4.0 GPA and landed his “dream job” at a water sustainability company in New York.

For this sound recording technology grad, it’s all between the ears.

A semester in Washington, D.C., interning with a nonprofit that trains women to run for political office galvanized Shaila Bornstein. As soon as she finishes at UML, she plans to return to Washington to gain political experience so she can run for president.

Shakira Fedna came to UMass Lowell because of the River Hawk Scholars Academy, a support program for first-generation college students.

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.

Shannon Gray started earning her master's degree in Public Health with a focus on epidemiology as an undergraduate. Her internship with the Uxbridge Board of Health broadened her exposure to the role public health professionals play and strengthened her skills.

Business student Shaymus Dunn got hands-on accounting experience – and an unexpected visit to the NASDAQ stock exchange – during his summer internship at EverQuote.

Shirley Adubofour is putting her studies in political science and race and ethnic studies into practice as a student representative on UML’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force.

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 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.

The Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell helped Manning School of Business student Sopheak Mean discover a path to college. Through his part-time work at the nonprofit organization, Mean is helping kids like himself from Lowell who may need guidance and mentorship.

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

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

Sydney Fagundes has found her calling: teaching young children, with a focus on science and math.

UMass Lowell was love at first sight for business major Tan Nhat Nuynh, a native of Vietnam, who is making the most of his opportunities in and out of the classroom.

Taylor Carito signed up to work on The Connector, the student newspaper, at the beginning of freshman year. Now she’s editor-in-chief, and her involvement has shaped her college experience.

Thomas Baldwin is pursuing a history degree while planning a career in law.

Math major Thomas Heywosz came to UMass Lowell with a co-op scholarship and found a research position with a physics professor. Now he’s planning on a career as a high school math teacher.

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

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.

Valeria Saldana knew she had found a welcoming community from her first visit to campus.

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

Varsha Perkins loves both her teaching and honors classes.

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

Accounting student Victor Souza knew all about hard work when he arrived at UMass Lowell. His focus was on getting involved during his undergraduate career — while also gaining valuable professional experience through internships.

Even as a transfer student and a commuter, Vincent Ciaramella found friendship and a helpful community at UMass Lowell.

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