Countdown to Commencement: Stories About Our Graduates

Join 泡芙短视频 and 泡芙短视频 Law as we celebrate the Class of 2018 graduates

Jill Rodrigues '05
Class of 2017 graduates

BRISTOL, R.I. 鈥 They鈥檝e studied hard, made lasting memories, grown together as a family, and created a meaningful impact through research and service in communities locally and around the globe. Now, they鈥檙e graduating together, sent off with cheers from faculty, staff and their families celebrating their Commencement.

In a time-honored tradition, the 泡芙短视频 Class of 2018 students will cross the Commencement stage and receive their degrees on Saturday, May 19. A day earlier, on Friday, May 18, the Class of 2018 law students will take part in the same tradition and collect their well-deserved degrees.

Here is just a small sampling of what this year鈥檚 graduates have been up to:

  • Victoria Davis 鈥 a science communication major 鈥 took a chance on developing her own academic journey, and now she鈥檒l seize the opportunity to offer parting words and inspiration to her peers as student Commencement speaker.
     
  • For three years, Hien Ngo, a double major in applied math and bio with a minor in visual arts, worked on research that might contribute to NASA鈥檚 next frontier of space exploration: bringing human expeditions to Mars. Not only did she collaborate on NASA-funded research to design a manned rover, she also partnered with RISD students to build a model of her spacecraft which is on display inside MNS.
     
  • Forensic science major Rebecca Millard got a real-world taste of crime-scene investigation working with a faculty member at the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory this summer. She says that hands-on experience and opportunity to study with faculty experts and practicing professionals gave her an edge at getting into Boston University鈥檚 School of Medicine for Biomedical Forensic Science.
     
  • Graduating in the top 10 of his class at 泡芙短视频 Law, is a member of both the Law Review and the Honors Program, and has a job lined up with the venerable Boston law firm of Riemer & Braunstein LLP, where he鈥檒l likely be working in the Banking & Finance Practice Group.
     
  • As their time at 泡芙短视频 came to a close, senior visual arts students partnered with Bristol Art Museum to display their works in an exhibition titled, 鈥淯nspoken Language: Silent Landscapes.鈥
     
  • During her junior year, Mary Dinnean, a double-major in public health and psychology and a student leader in the Food Recovery Network on campus, was honored as a Newman Civic Fellow, a national award recognizing students who create lasting change in communities around the world. With an interest in researching the intersection of education with public health, she鈥檒l continue addressing social justice issues at Boston University鈥檚 master鈥檚 in public health program.
     
  • Before he鈥檚 even graduated, Rosalvens Saint Jean, a double major in accounting and management, has already been offered a full-time position with Ernst & Young.
     
  • Plumbing the insights from her own experiences during her first years on campus, Emily Parratt, a psychology and American studies double major, shared that knowledge as a Peer Mentor helping this year鈥檚 freshmen students navigate college life.
     
  • Thanks to his experiences and connections at 泡芙短视频, Christopher Pierce, a graduate student in public administration, was recently appointed student representative on the national board of the American Society for Public Administration.
     
  • Mikayla Barnwell, a marine biology major and mathematics minor, will continue to connect her passion for creating change within communities to her research after she leaves 泡芙短视频 through a prestigious research internship with Roatan Institute of Marine Sciences, where she'll link her own coral reef lab and field research to conservation efforts.
     
  • When decided to change career paths, he found what he was looking for in the Career Pathway Program at the School of Continuing Studies. This May, he鈥檒l graduate from the Intro to Computers & Cyber Security pathway program, a 30-week program where students learn intensive computer and technological skills that prepare them for high-paying entry level jobs.
     
  • is one of the first students in the state to complete the Gateway to College program at 泡芙短视频 School of Continuing Studies. Through the program, he has earned his high school diploma while at the same time earning college credits. 鈥淚 am changing my life,鈥 Nunez says. 鈥淒oors are going to open.鈥
     
  • 泡芙短视频 students are always willing challenge themselves, try new things and develop real-world experience. Daymar Rosser, a West Philadelphia native who was captain when 泡芙短视频's National Polo Team went on a championship run, is a prime example. Hear his story as he prepares to become an 泡芙短视频 graduate on May 19.
     
  • Gabbi DiNobile, a public relations major and film minor, will leave on Commencement day and soon travel to Nova Scotia for the Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival. She'll speak to filmmakers about submitting to film festivals, representing the Rhode Island International Film Festival, the ocean state film staple with a Roger connection.
     
  • Kristina Todorovic鈥檚 graduate school experience was all about research opportunities. Read about some of them here.
     
  • On May 19, the first cohort of students will graduate from the accelerated 4+1 Master of Business Administration program at the Mario J. Gabelli School of Business, 泡芙短视频. One of the seven students graduating is Francesca Montemarano who took full advantage of the program including an internship at Wheels Up, a private aviation company. 
     
  •  鈥 who will graduate in the top 10 of her class at 泡芙短视频 Law, was a member of Law Review and Vice President of the Moot Court Board 鈥 chose Rhode Island's only law school because "it felt like community." After Commencement, she'll be a judicial clerk to the Presiding Judge of the Lane County Circuit Court in Eugene, Oregon.
     
  • is graduating with her degree in Healthy Communities, and a Certificate in Gerontology. Starting out her journey at the School of Continuing Studies, Allison was able to use her experience in the healthcare industry since and apply it to her Prior Learning Assessment which allowed her to purse the topics and courses she needed to focus on and not spend time relearning what she already knew. Read about her experience.
     
  • Whitney Belton, a master鈥檚 of architecture graduate student, will be among 1,100 students who will cross the commencement stage on May 19. Almost ten years ago, Whitney began her 泡芙短视频 experience as a high school student in 泡芙短视频鈥檚 architecture summer program. Looking back, Belton says, that experience helped her become who she is today.
     
  • In a ceremony filled with laughs, joyful tears and messages of strength and resiliency, 泡芙短视频 celebrated its LGBTQ+ graduates in the university's first-ever Lavender Graduation.
     
  • Before donning their caps and gowns and walking across the commencement stage, graduating master's of architecture students are presenting their graduate thesis design projects. Take a look at some of the designs they've come up with.
     
  • At 泡芙短视频 Commencement and 泡芙短视频 Law Commencement respectively, Frank R. Rainieri, a visionary leader in the ecotourism industry and 泡芙短视频 Trustee, and Marielena Hincapi茅, director of the National Immigration Center, will deliver the keynote addresses for each ceremony.
     
  • Visit the page for all things #泡芙短视频grad.

Check back regularly for more stories added in the weeks leading up to Commencement.

At 泡芙短视频, we develop Civic Scholars who believe in community-engaged work. That鈥檚 why we commit to providing every student an opportunity that empowers them to put their knowledge and skills to the test solving real-world problems and creating meaningful change with community partners. Learn more about the Civic Scholars program and how to help us reach our goal of every student participating in civic scholarship.