Class of 2027 Ready for Everything

Jack Fahey, exercise science

Exercise science major Jack Fahey considers himself an outgoing person, but the honors student from Merrimac, Massachusetts, still feels the “normal anxieties” of moving away to college and meeting new people.

“I’m more excited than anything,” says Fahey, who looks forward to living with other health science majors in a living-learning community in Riverview Suites on South Campus.

“I like the fact that I’ll be able to study in my dorm with a group of people doing the same major as me,” he says.

Fahey has been interested in exercise science ever since breaking his foot during his freshman year on the Pentucket Regional High School boys cross-country team and working with trainers to rehab the injury. He is considering a career in physical therapy – he was admitted to the Exercise Science to Doctor of Physical Therapy program – and he hopes to work as an athletic trainer at the Campus Recreation Center.

Fahey also looks forward to studying abroad – something that he can do with the $4,000 Immersive Scholars award he received with his UML acceptance letter.

“That was something that I only found at UMass Lowell. I thought it was great,” he says.

Oh, you may see Fahey’s byline in the Connector student newspaper, too: He was editor-in-chief of his high school paper.

“I want to see how I structure my days and manage my own time as a college student,” he says.

Florine Gerrits, computer science

Florine Gerrits got a head start on her first year of college by moving to campus in early August to begin training for the UML field hockey team’s fall season. The extra time to acclimate was especially helpful, considering Gerrits is from the Netherlands.

“This is a big place, and I have to get used to so many things, but the experience so far has been really good,” says Gerrits, who has plenty of support if she starts feeling homesick – she is one of seven Dutch players on the team.

“They’ve been giving me tips about what to know,” says Gerrits, who grew up just outside Amsterdam. “It’s nice to be part of a team so I don’t have to figure everything out myself.”

Gerrits chose to major in computer science after discovering she had “a little talent” for computers in high school.

“I want to be creative with it, like making games,” says Gerrits, who recently took up DJing as a hobby.

While balancing academics and Division I athletics will be a challenge, Gerrits’ sole focus at the moment is on the sport that she loves.

“I was really nervous about our first scrimmage. I felt pressure. I’m someone who always wants to do well and not make mistakes,” says Gerrits, a forward for the River Hawks. “But everyone says, ‘Don’t be too hard on yourself. Do what you can.’ The girls are amazing.”

“I’m looking forward to growing up and being part of the team in the coming years.”

Kameron Chaleunphong, mechanical engineering

As a mechanical engineering major who enjoys jazz singing and fishing, Kameron Chaleunphong believes he’s found the ideal landing spot at UMass Lowell.

“UMass Lowell is well-regarded for engineering around the world, and financial aid was a big factor, so why not come here?” says the Lowell native, who sees extracurricular activities as a good way to connect with the campus while living at home.

“I do a lot of jazz singing, so I’ve already signed up for music ensembles,” he says.

There isn’t a fishing club among the 250-plus student organizations on campus, so Chaleunphong may start one.

“I want to help students learn about it,” he says. “It’s so nice to get out there in nature and relax, especially when living in a busy city like Lowell. It’s good for your health.”

While he expects his coursework to be challenging, Chaleunphong is excited to immerse himself in the college experience. 

“Everybody says it’s the next new chapter of your life, and I truly believe that it is,” he says. “It will be nice to meet new people from other states and even from around the world.”

Abby Bauman, criminal justice

Growing up as a “military kid,” Abby Bauman has called several states home, including Virginia, Montana, Colorado and Kansas. While it was tough moving away from friends every couple of years, she says the experience prepared her for heading off to college.

“I have practice figuring out new places and meeting new people, which makes me a little more confident going into college,” says Bauman, who was born in England and currently lives in Morehead City, North Carolina. “It’s something I had to get good at, and I’m about to do it all over again.”

Besides being a “true crime junkie,” Bauman says she’s majoring in criminal justice because of her parents. Her dad recently retired from the Air Force after 25 years of service, and her mom, an Army veteran, has worked as an emergency room nurse for more than 20 years.

“They’ve given back to the community and served our country, and that’s something I want to have in my life as well,” says Bauman, who isn’t ruling out her own military service but wants to try the “civilian route” for now.

Bauman discovered UMass Lowell while on an East Coast college tour with her mom.

“Everyone says that when you get to the right college, you’ll feel it. I wasn’t sure that’s how it works, but it was so true. When I got on the campus, I knew that’s where I wanted to be,” she says.

Summer orientation “was probably one of the best couple days of my life,” she says. “I had so much fun. Our orientation leader was amazing, and everyone really made me feel welcomed, like I was supposed to be there.”

An honors student, Bauman will live in the Commonwealth Honors House at University Suites.

“I’m feeling so ready for college. I wish it could come sooner, because I’m so excited,” she says. “I’ve always loved school, and I’m most excited for the fact that now I get to learn what I want.”  

Eden Barclift, business

Delaware was about as far north as Eden Barclift was looking for college. But when the Washington, D.C., native received a coveted DC-CAP scholarship, guaranteeing her a full ride to UMass Lowell, she adjusted her sights.

“I wanted to go to an HBCU (historically black college and university) like my mom, but when I got the scholarship, I really started researching UMass Lowell,” says Barclift, who was impressed by all that the university – and the city – has to offer.

The business major plans to concentrate in entrepreneurship and international business.

“I want a career where I can travel and be in charge of something, instead of being stuck in one place and doing one thing,” she says.

Barclift enrolled in UML’s six-week Launch summer program and earned her first three college credits by taking Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Business with adjunct faculty member Kevin Willett.

“It was nice to get a head start on my classes, and it gave me time to explore Lowell,” says Barclift, who also figured out how to take the commuter rail to Boston. “It was a good time to be independent and find things on my own.”

Barclift, who will live in Fox Hall, plans to join the Students of Caribbean Ancestry and Black Student Union clubs. She also wants to play club volleyball and to study abroad.

“I went to an International Baccalaureate high school, so I feel prepared for a college course load. But I am worried that I’ve let myself slack off since I graduated,” she says. “I hope to use things like tutoring services to stay on top of my work.”

Izaias Bautista, psychology

College life can’t come fast enough for psychology major Izaias Bautista.

“I feel like it’s a step into adulthood that I’ve always been waiting for,” says Bautista, a first-generation college student from Lowell. “I’m excited about meeting new people, taking on new responsibility and getting a degree.”

The Greater Lowell Technical High School grad chose to major in psychology because “I’ve always had an interest in hearing other people out, what they’re thinking about. It makes me feel good learning about other people and why they react in certain ways.”

A soccer player in high school, Bautista hopes to continue playing for UML’s club team. He also looks forward to working out at the Campus Recreation Center.

“I’ll try to balance out college life and working. Everyone needs chill time with other people,” says Bautista, a commuter student.

Bautista feels ready to dive into college life.

“I want to start everything right now,” he says. “I want to get an education, get a degree, get a job. I want all of it.”

Wiktoria Smajkiewicz, civil engineering

A first-generation college student from Brooklyn, New York, Wiktoria Smajkiewicz whittled her list of potential schools down to UMass Lowell and the Rochester Institute of Technology.

She chose UML largely because of the River Hawk Scholars Academy (RHSA), a nationally recognized program that supports students who are the first in their families to attend college.

“I’m excited to start college, but now that it’s getting closer, I’m a little more nervous,” she says. “I hope that I do well and can handle everything.”

Smajkiewicz discovered an interest in civil engineering while in high school, which offered a “major” system similar to college. 

“I really enjoyed those classes and decided to continue on that path. Hopefully, I’ll work in that field,” says Smajkiewicz, who plans to join UML’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Being 200 miles from home will be an adjustment for Smajkiewicz, but she feels a bit more at ease after visiting campus for orientation.

“Everyone was really chill and easy to talk to,” says Smajkiewicz, who will enjoy some of the best views of the city while living on the 14th floor of Fox Hall.

“I’m not sure what I’m looking forward to yet,” she says. “Maybe some of my classes and just being on campus for now.”

Christina Tran, computer science

A UML campus tour made a lasting impression on Christina Tran as she contemplated which college to attend in the fall.

“I was impressed by all the resources that are available to students,” says the Westford, Massachusetts, resident.

Tran enrolled at UML as an honors computer science major and says she is looking forward to meeting other students in the Miner School of Computer and Information Sciences.

“I’m hoping to come out of college with friends that have similar interests to me,” she says.

Tran, who will be living on campus, is already on the way to reaching her goal after making new friends during SoarCS, a summer program for incoming computer science students.

Eduardo Benfica, business

Business major Eduardo Benfica feels academically prepared for the rigors of college coursework. Being on point for 8 a.m. lectures is another matter.

“I chose mostly morning classes, so as long as I focus on a good sleep schedule, I think I’m going to do pretty well,” says Benfica, who will commute from home in Lowell.

Benfica, who was captain of his high school boys tennis team, says physical activity is important to him. Visiting the Campus Recreation Center and learning during his UML tour about the university’s 30 club sports helped to clinch his college decision.

“I think it’s a great school for me, and I’m excited to come here,” says Benfica, whose concentration is in management information systems. 

Being the first in his family to attend college comes with some pressure, he says.

“A lot of my family is not in the U.S., and they’re more worried about me going to college than I am,” says Benfica, who is originally from Brazil. “They never got the opportunity, so I want to make sure I don’t mess it up somehow.”

Tori Holmes, criminal justice

After living in the same house in Peabody, Massachusetts, for the first 18 years of her life, Tori Holmes cannot wait to experience the independence of college life.

“I’m ready to start a new chapter, meet new people and be on my own, for sure,” says Holmes, a first-generation college student who chose UML over Merrimack College and Salem State University.

“I love the campus, how it’s nice and spread out and not too crowded,” she says. “And everybody was so friendly when I visited.”

Eyeing a career as a forensic investigator, Holmes is majoring in criminal justice and hopes to minor in forensic science.

She plans to get a job on campus “to keep myself busy,” preferably at the Campus Recreation Center, which is right next to her Fox Hall dorm.

“I love working out,” says Holmes, who also enjoys playing the ukulele and wants to find a club to explore her musical interests. 

American Sign Language is another interest (“I know a little ASL, but I need to brush up on it”), and she would like to start her own club on campus.

“I think it would be fun and inclusive,” she says.

Tabor Morin, chemistry

Tabor Morin is coming to UMass Lowell ready to challenge himself academically and socially. He’s already set some ambitious goals.

“I’d like to make friends, join communities and have a really rigorous academic schedule,” says the incoming honors chemistry major, who will be living on campus.

As a third-generation River Hawk (his grandmother, father and mother all graduated from UML), Morin is ready to call UMass Lowell his second home.

“UMass Lowell is a wonderful place with so many opportunities from research to programs like CatalyzeUML [a summer program for incoming chemistry students],” says the Chelmsford, Massachusetts, resident. “It’s a really good school that’s affordable.”