Worcester State Magazine – 150th Anniversary

MAJOR: Counseling Psychology PROFESSIONAL: Producing Branch Manager, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. VOLUNTEER: Coach, Ignite Coaching; Author, Thriving in the Storm; Founding Member, William B Murphy Thrive Foundation; Board of Directors, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island For more than 25 years, I have dedicated myself to assisting individuals in achieving homeownership and realizing the American dream […]

MAJOR: Accounting and Finance PROFESSIONAL: President and CEO, Bay State Savings Bank VOLUNTEER: Board of Trustees, Seven Hills Foundation; Board Member, Worcester State University Foundation; Board Member, Worcester Business Improvement District; Member, Worcester Trust Fund Commission I find inspiration everywhere, from the simplest sunrise to challenges awaiting resolution. Driven by a profound purpose for positive change, my family […]

MAJOR: Sociology PROFESSIONAL: Chief Executive Officer, Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Inc. At Worcester State, I was working to pay for college and helping to care for my younger brother. The sociology program helped me to find my calling. There is such a need for folks to go into behavioral sciences to understand the need for […]

MAJOR: Nonprofit Management PROFESSIONAL: Director of Development, Worcester Historical Museum VOLUNTEER: Co-chair, Temple Emanuel Sinai’s Caring Committee; Member, Holden Community Garden. Previously, Board Member, Girl Scouts of Montachusett Council; Board Member, Jewish Family Services; Board Member, Temple Emanuel; Board Member, Temple Emanuel Sinai; Troop Leader, Girl Scouts; Tutor/Mentor to Middle and High School Girls I am a […]

MAJOR: Health Studies, Concentration in Health Education PROFESSIONAL: President and CEO, Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition Inc. (MAWOCC) VOLUNTEER: Founding Member and Leadership Core, Black Families Together; Board Member, Abby Kelley Foster Charter School Foundation; Board Member, Worcester Regional Research Bureau; Board Member, Worcester Community Labor Coalition; Corporator, YMCA; Corporator, Girls Inc. My lived experiences and my desire […]

MAJOR: Urban Studies PROFESSIONAL: President and CEO, Open Sky Community Services, Inc. VOLUNTEER: Member of the Board of Directors – Association of Behavioral Healthcare, Association of Developmental Disability Providers, Parent Professional Advocacy League, and Children’s League of Massachusetts; Member of Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester, Mayor’s (Worcester) Mental Health Task Force, UMass Harrington Healthcare […]

MAJOR: Urban Studies PROFESSIONAL: Head of Strategic Partnerships, Jumpstart for Young Children Adjunct Faculty, BU School of Social Work VOLUNTEER: Board Member, ACLU of Massachusetts; Board Member, Project Bread; Licensed Foster Care Provider My experience at Worcester State was transformative. I faced extreme adversity as an undergraduate student and attempted to drop out multiple times. […]

MAJOR: Nonprofit Management PROFESSIONAL: Co-Founder and Executive Director, Rise Above Foundation VOLUNTEER: Co-facilitator, Lone Rangers Group, MetroWest Nonprofit Network; Board member and Chair, MetroWest Nonprofit Network; Committee Member, Haitian Ministry, St. Gabriel Church, Upton, Mass. I’m passionate about ensuring that the most vulnerable in our community have equitable access to thrive. Fifteen years ago, I […]

MAJOR: Nonprofit Management PROFESSIONAL: CEO, YWCA Central Massachusetts VOLUNTEER: Board Member, Mass Humanities; Council Member, American Antiquarian Society; POST Commissioner, Massachusetts; Founder, Worcester Black History Project I am passionate about social justice. My work aligns with this passion. As the first Black woman CEO to lead YWCA CM in its 139-year history, I hope to […]

MAJORS: Elementary Education, Psychology PROFESSIONAL: First Grade Teacher, Walter J. Paton Elementary School, Shrewsbury, Mass. Being an elementary school teacher has always been a dream of mine. I am passionate about inspiring young learners to work hard and to be the best people they can be. I love seeing students persevere through hard things, staying […]