Members of the Class of 2023 Recognized for Exceptional Leadership and Service with Prestigious Crown & Shield Award
In recognition of their commitment to service, 21 members of the Class of 2023 have been awarded the prestigious Crown & Shield Award, which honors students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and participated in service during their four years at Assumption. The crown and shield are two key elements of the Assumption University seal, and the award recognizes graduating seniors who have protected (shield) and furthered (crown) the interest of the student body and the University community.
“Crown and Shield recipients are the students who have exemplified the mission of Assumption University during their time on campus,” said Laura Peña Pantano, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs. “These students help to plan events, serve as ambassadors for Admissions and Orientation, build community in the residence halls, represent the student voice in SGA, tutor and support their peers, compete athletically, spread the mission of the University through Campus Ministry and much more. We are deeply grateful to our students for the role they play in creating a culture of service and for helping us build a strong community that inspires the students who will follow.”
Assumption has recognized seniors with the Crown & Shield Award since 1952. The recipients were honored with their families and University administrators and trustees at an awards dinner on May 5, the Friday before their Commencement at the DCU Center in downtown Worcester.
The following is a list of this year’s Crown & Shield recipients.
Johenny Bisono Martinez of Reading, Pennsylvania graduated with dual majors in International Business and Business Management, and minors in French and Informational Technology.
Leadership highlights: RA; Student Supervisor, d'Alzon Library; Mentor Collective - Mentor; Habitat for Humanity Volunteer.
In December, Johenny will begin working as a Sourcing Recruiter for Amazon.
Alexander Boligan of Thompson, Connecticut graduated with a major in Marketing and a minor in Information Technology.
Leadership highlights: RA and Head RA; Cast member, student-produced Godspell musical; Music Ministry Student Leader and Cantor; START Retreat Rector; SEND trip to Camden, NJ.
Alex plans to pursue an MBA in marketing at Assumption while working as a graduate assistant in Campus Ministry, in addition to working at Webster First Federal Credit Union in their marketing department. Alex is recently engaged to a fellow Hound and is looking forward to getting married in 2024.
Shadda Cliche of Brattleboro, Vermont graduated with a major in Biology and a minor in Human Services & Rehabilitation Studies.
Leadership highlights: President and Treasurer, ALANA Network; BSU Member; Member, Women Interested in Networking Gathering & Solidarty (WINGS); Neuroscience Club Vice President; National Society of Leadership and Success.
Shadda plans to further her studies in graduate school and become a Certified Nurse Midwife.
Robert Davis of Leominster, Massachusetts graduated with a major in Marketing with a Digital Marketing concentration,and a minor in Graphic Design.
Leadership highlights:Class of 2023 Senator; SGA Event Planning Committee;Orientation Leader, and Parent and Family Chairperson; Graphic Design Intern for the Plourde Recreation Center.
Bobby plans to seek employment in the field of Marketing, and he also hopes to travel.
Taylor DeGeorge of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts graduated with majors in Elementary Education and Mathematics, with a STEM concentration.
Leadership highlights: Women's Lacrosse Team Peer Mentor, Recruit Representative and Captain; Co-President of Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC); Math Tutor in Academic Support Center; SOPHIA Collegian; Augustine Scholar.
Taylor plans to pursue her master's degree in special education and begin teaching in an elementary school.
Markkie Fleming of Worcester, Massachusetts graduated with a major in Biology with concentration in Neuroscience & Behavior,and a minor in Psychology.
Leadership highlights: Orientation Leader and COMPASS Facilitator; RA; Mentor Collective Mentor; Neuroscience Club Secretary; Campus Activities Board Student Leader; Assumption University Bridge Program Student Leader; and served as a Nutrition Specialist for the DCU Covid Triage Center during the pandemic.
Markkie hopes to attend Johns Hopkins University as a graduate student in their Master of Science in Individualized Genomics and Health program; Upon completion of a graduate program, she then hopes to attend medical school to become a surgeon and specialize in emergency and trauma care.
Mary Gillette of Waterbury, Connecticut graduated with dual majors in Accounting and Data Analytics, and minors in Fraud Exam & Forensic Accounting, and Information Techology.
Leadership highlights: Admissions Ambassador; Academic Support Center Head Tutor - four academic disciplines; SGA Senator; SOPHIA Collegian; Orientation Leader; Campus Activities Board Marketing Executive; Completed 300 community service hours this year as a Jump Start Team Leader & Volunteer.
Mary plans to work for Ernst and Young in their Assurance Department located in Hartford, CT.
Connor Howells of Medfield, Massachusetts graduated with a major in Graphic Design and a minor in Music.
Leadership highlights: Orientation Leader; SGA Senator and Class of 2023 Vice President; Campus Recreation Graphic Design Intern and Intramural Official; Music Contributor for Agape Latte.
Connor plans to pursue a master’s in management at Assumption University while living on campus and working as residential assistant.
Kelly Knutelski of Oxford, Massachusetts graduated with a major in English and a minor in Women's Studies.
Leadership highlights: RA; Academic Support Center Tutor; Orientation Leader and Head Chairperson; Campus Activities Board Spring Weekend Executive; Habitat for Humanity Vice President and Secretary; MUSE Literary Magazine Writer; SEND trip to Baltimore, MD;
Reach Out Center Volunteer; Augustine Scholar; D'Alzon Scholar.
Kelly plans to pursue a career in Higher Education and work toward publishing some of her writing.
Morgan Maddock of Scarborough, Maine graduated with majors in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies, and English, Writing and Mass Communication with concentration in Media Production, and a minor in Community Service.
Leadership highlights:Dance Team Captain; Orientation Leader and Student Chairperson; Campus Activities Board Spring Concert Committee; Co-Director, AUTV; Volunteer at African Community Education, Worcester.
Morgan plans to pursue her master’s in the Assumption University School Counseling Program while continuing her role as the captain of the Assumption Dance Team.
Gerald Martin of Springfield, Massachusetts graduated with a major in Political Science, and minors in Law, Ethics & Constitutional Studies; Law and Economics; History; and Philosophy.
Leadership highlights: President of AU Democrats and Progressives Club; SGA Senator; Student Chair, Political Science Faculty Roundtable; Student Representative to Sodexo Services Committee; Admissions Ambassador.
Gerry’s post-graduation plan is to run for City Council in Springfield Massachusetts. He says, "I love my city with all my heart, and I plan to use the wisdom I have learned in Political Science to make my city a better place."
Sarah Masciarelli of Westborough, Massachusetts graduated with a major in Nursing and a minor in Biology.
Leadership highlights: Member of the 2023 Inaugural Graduating Class in Nursing; Treasurer, Assumption Student Nurse's Association; Take Back the Night Volunteer; Student Representative, Nursing Faculty Assembly Committee; Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society; National Student Nurses Association Honors Society.
Sarah plans to continue the interview process to secure a position as a Registered Nurse.
Caroline McDonough of Westwood, Massachusetts graduated with a major in Communication and Media, and a minor in Sports Management.
Leadership highlights: Campus Activities Board Executive and Concert Chair; Women's Ice Hockey Captain;
Orientation Leader Executive and COMPASS Facilitator; Assumption Media Center Intern.
In August, Caroline will begin interning for the Walt Disney Company while pursuing her MBA part time at Assumption University.
Katheen Moran of Cheshire, Connecticut graduated with a major in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies, and minors in Education and Community Service Learning.
Leadership highlights: President, Assumption Best Buddies Chapter; Global Ambassador, Best Buddies International; President and Vice President, Assumption Pinky Swear Pack; Special Olympics Club Captain and Volunteer; Light the Way Scholar and successful Certificate Recipient.
Kathleen plans to attend the University of St Joseph's in West Hartford, CT, where she will study for her master's in special education grades K-12, while working full-time as a co-teacher at The Gengras Center School.
Erin Moynihan of Brookline, New Hampshire graduated with a major in Marketing, with concentration in Digital Marketing.
Leadership highlights: Campus Activities Board President and Marketing Exectuve; Assumption Yearbook photography contributor; RA and Head RA; Orientation Leader.
Erin will work as a videographer this summer in Maine, building an extensive portfolio to eventually help start her own freelance videography business. Additionally, she hopes to travel for a year before committing to a full-time marketing job specializing in either Social Media or Digital Marketing.
Anna Mullen of Milton, Massachusetts graduated with a major in Psychology with concentration in Mental Health and Pre-Clinical Counseling, and a minor in Criminology.
Leadership highlights: Compass Orientation Leader; Head Tutor in the Academic Support Center; President, Assumption chapter of Active Minds; Director of Socia Media and Youth Board Co-Director for Yellow Tulip Project; Studied Abroad at Assumption University Rome Campus.
In the Fall, Anna will attend Merrimack College to pursue a Master of Education in School Counseling. Additionally, she was awarded a Presidential Fellowship and will work as an Academic Coach in Merrimack’s Academic Success Center.
Thomas Ross of Patterson, New York graduated with a major in Political Science and History.
Leadership highlights: SGA Senator and Class of 2023 President; Chairman of the SGA Ethics Board Chair;Presidential Task Force on Campus Sutainability; Founder and Chair, SGA Eco-Action Committee.
Tom plans to take a gap year and then pursue a graduate degree in either law or history.
Patrick Sedgwick of Georgetown, Massachusetts graduated with a major in Accounting, and minors in Management and Finance.
Leadership highlights: SGA Senator; SGA Chair of Student and Campus Services Committee; Marketing Intern for the Career Development and Internship Center; Created and led a successful proposal for institution of a pub on the Assumption University campus; D'Alzon Scholar.
Patrick will be working full-time for PKF O'Connor Davies, an accounting firm. He also plans to pursue his MBA part-time at Assumption University.
Andrew Sneeringer of Lowell, Massachusetts graduated with dual majors in Sociology, Criminology and Music.
Leadership highlights: RA; Community Standards Intern; Policy Review Committee; Vocal Scholar; Music Ministry: Chorale, VOCE, Hound Sound & Jazz Combo Band; Sociology & Criminology Club Vice President; Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society.
Andy hopes to find a position at a local college or university as a Resident Director. He also hopes to travel out of the country and explore places such as Norway, Vietnam, and more.
Abbigail Sullivan of Andover, Minnesota graduated with dual majors in Business Management and Political Science, and a minor in Law, Ethics & Constitutional Studies.
Leadership highlights: RA and Head RA; Residence Hall Council President; Admissions Ambassador; Orientation Leader; Mentor Collective - Mentor; Campus Ministry Retreat Program Student Leader and Member; SEARCH Team Member; Campus Ministry Student Leader Team Liasion to SGA; Pennsylvania SEND trip Participant; Daniel Patrick Moynihan Model Senate Member and Scholar; SOPHIA Collegian; Light The Way Scholar.
Abbi will return home to Minnesota to study for the Law School Admissions Test and work full time while applying to law school programs.
Claire Tan of the Philippines graduated with a major in Communication and Media Production.
Leadership highlights: Admissions Ambassador; Mentor Collective - Mentor; Integrated Marketing Department Intern; Peer Ministry Co-Leader; Campus Ministry Student Leader; SEARCH Retreat Leader.
After returning to the Philippines for a visit this summer, Claire will move back to the US to pursue a marketing related career. She is recently engaged to a fellow Hound and is looking forward to getting married in 2024.
Latest AU News
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Workshops at the conference include research presentations, workshops on human services pedagogy, and best practices in the field. Many of the Assumption University faculty in the Human Services department are involved in the NOHS, including helping with the planning of the conference, as editorial members of the organization’s academic journal, and sitting on the Board of Directors. “We have great participation in the NOHS. We are represented on the Board of Directors, as editorial staff on the Journal of Human Services, and at the conference itself,” said Cinzia Pica, Chair of the Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies department. “I am so proud of our students who are being highlighted at the national level. It speaks to their strengths as well as to the quality education and preparation they are engaged in both in our department and across our institution.” “The conference is where everyone comes together and tries to look forward five years,” said Dante Bachini, a health sciences major with a focus on patient advocacy. “We ask questions like, ‘what are we doing now?’, ‘What’s the new research?’, ‘As a profession, are we moving forward to not only support our patients and clients, but each other?’, ‘How are we trying to maintain the highest ethical standards for our patients?’” Bachini gave a presentation at the conference on the interviewing methods used by primary care physicians and their patients with chronic illness. “In the chronic disease world, providers are unable to really get all the knowledge about what’s going on,” he said. “What we’re seeing is that the patient and provider are on separate thought processes and have different information understandings which create a large barrier to care.” Bachini’s work is focused on how an interdisciplinary approach between human services strategies and clinical strategies can be used in clinical spaces to promote patient wellness. “My research found that the human services field, though not focused on being a clinician, has key enduring strategies which promote the wellness of chronic disease patients,” he said. “These strategies include patients’ stories, their lived experience, and their knowledge into the picture. This informs the interventions the provider can use to create a better and more comprehensive care structure for their patients.” Katy Cannistraro, a human services and rehabilitation studies major, gave a presentation on the gender gap in mental health. “I started the research about a year ago in my psychiatric rehabilitation course,” she said. “I had noticed after looking at these mental illnesses that there was a recurring gap in the statistics between male and female prevalence rates. I wanted to figure out why this gap existed; my project looks at how gender roles affect our emotional expression and what we see as far as emotional disorders and help-seeking behaviors.” On top of presenting her research, Cannistraro was also presented with the NOHS Outstanding Human Services Student Award, which is presented to one student member of NOHS who has “demonstrated a significant contribution to the field of human services during the time of his or her degree completion,” according to the NOHS website. The student who receives this award also then serves as the student member of the NOHS Board of Directors.Katy Cannistraro '24 receives the NOHS Outstanding Human Services Student Award, with NOHS President James Stinchcomb and Professor Christian Williams. “By no means had I ever defined myself as an ‘outstanding student,’” she said. “Professor [Christian] Williams (of the Human Services department) helped me realize that it’s not necessarily about my GPA, but about all the other work I do outside of that. Oftentimes, we emphasize the importance of having a high GPA and I understand that, it’s super important, but I think there are so many different aspects to a person that make them, I guess, ‘outstanding’.” Along with her meaningful work on the gender gap in mental health services, Cannistraro is also a part of AU Allies, and has a large focus on advocating for students of the LGBTQ+ community on campus and has minors in both secondary education and women’s studies. Bachini and Cannistraro both highlighted how meaningful it is for them to be involved with the human services department at Assumption and how it has shaped them as individuals. “Not enough people know about the human services program,” said Cannistraro. “It has changed my life and the whole trajectory of what I want to pursue in the future. I am grateful for all of the professors…they’re extraordinary, and I don’t think they get recognized enough for all the hard work they do and their dedication to the students. It’s incredible.” “Our department makes you a unique candidate for grad school or the workforce because it blends together your strengths that you may not be aware of,” said Bachini. “It makes you want to reach out, makes you able to reach out, and I think that’s a really unique trait to our program and speaks volumes to the level and type of practitioner Assumption is creating.” Pica believes that the futures of the human services department at Assumption and the future of the field of human services itself are bright. “I’m thrilled because I see that we have several students who are both accomplished in terms of academics but also because of their service to our profession,” said Pica. “This emphasizes the quality of students and young, aspiring professionals that we have amongst our ranks.” NOHS-pic-katy-dante-large.jpgAssumption students Dante Bachini '24 and Katy Cannistraro '24 at the National Organization for Human Services Conference.General Olivia Boudreau
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- Assumption University Honors Veterans DayAssumption University Honors Veterans Day oe.boudreau Fri, 11/10/2023 - 12:50 On November 7th, in celebration of Veterans Day, Assumption University honored those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, including those within the AU community, with a ceremony in the Atrium of the Tsotsis Family Academic Center. The service included a presentation of the colors and a performance of the National Anthem by Assumption’s Chorale. “Our world is dangerous, and veterans put themselves on the line to keep that danger at bay, so that we have the luxury of learning for learning’s sake,” President Greg Weiner said in his opening remarks. “Simply to say ‘thank you’ feels grossly inadequate…but when all else fails, words are what we have.” After Weiner’s speech, the guest speaker for the event, Gary Senecal, Assistant Professor of Human Services, spoke about his experience as a member of the United States Army Reserve since 2013, specifically his time serving in Somalia to provide medical care to wounded service members. Senecal emphasized how much of an impact serving has had on both his life and his outlook on teamwork and community. “I’ve learned a lot during my time in the service…teamwork, comradery, fulfillment in connection with others,” Senecal said. “I don’t know if I’ve found greater joy than being a part of that tight-knit group of people. This experience of comradery and connection only happens in the military.” Senecal also spoke about his return to campus after service, saying that the Assumption community was able to help with the transition from life in military service back to work as a professor. “When I came back to campus, I cannot begin to describe how welcoming it was,” he said. “There are days when I miss doing the work that I did…nevertheless, I am thankful to have those sentiments placated by having a job that replicates it and allows me to operate daily in the company of friends.” For many years, Assumption has offered programs and resources for students who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces in order to help them adjust to both college life and life outside of military service. Beginning with the creation of the Veterans’ Success Committee, faculty, staff, and students work together to ensure that veterans on Assumption’s campus have everything they need to thrive and be successful. “I had a very difficult time making the transition from a combat zone to college when I got back from Vietnam,” said Michael Rubino, former Chair of the Veterans’ Success Committee and Veterans Recruitment Coordinator. “Because I had that experience, I am now able to help students make that transition.” Due to the number of efforts put forth by the Veterans’ Success Committee, along with other programs across campus, Assumption was honored by Military Friendly as one of the nation’s Top Ten Military Friendly Schools for 2023-2024. According to Military Friendly’s methodology and criteria, factors that determine rankings include: “retention, graduation, job placement, repayment, persistence, and loan default rates.” These efforts include the creation of a veterans’ lounge, located currently in the Information Technology Center, to allow veterans a dedicated space on campus to gather and form communities. Rubino stressed that the lounge is extremely important to the veteran community on campus so they can have a place to connect and relate to one another. “It gives the veterans a place to go to meet one another and so forth and try to work out problems because they all understand each other’s backgrounds,” Rubino said. “I have found oftentimes that veterans who have been in combat zones only feel comfortable talking to other veterans who have been in similar situations.” On Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11th, a ceremony will be held to honor veterans in the Assumption community. This ceremony will be held at halftime of the Assumption Greyhounds football game against Southern Connecticut State, which kicks off at 12:00pm at Brian Kelly ‘83 Stadium. Veterans-AU-Web-2.pngAssumption University community members present the colors at the November 7th Veterans Day ceremony.General Olivia Boudreau
- Nursing Class of 2023 Has 100 Percent NCLEX-RN® Passing RateNursing Class of 2023 Has 100 Percent NCLEX-RN® Passing Rate oe.boudreau Thu, 11/09/2023 - 15:57 Assumption University’s Froelich School of Nursing announced that every member of its first graduating class has passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) following their graduation from the program this May. The NCLEX-RN® is an exam regulated by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), which oversees each state’s board of registration and nursing. The national exam is the final step in the licensure process to become a registered nurse. According to data gathered and reported by NCSBN, the average pass rate for all candidates who took the NCLEX-RN® from January through September 2023 was 88.55 percent. In April of 2023, the NCLEX-RN® test plan was updated to correlate to the revisions made on the exam. The Next Generation NCLEX-RN®, with a focus on testing the exam taker’s clinical judgment was launched on April 1 after years of research and item development. “Amongst us in nursing education, we had never seen these kinds of exam items,” said Caitlin Stover, Dean of the Froelich School of Nursing. “It was really important to structure a curriculum that embeds clinical judgment scenarios, exam items, and simulations in every course so that the students had exposure and confidence going into this exam.” “The class of 2023’s success is a validation of all of the hard work that we have put in over the past couple of years,” said Stover. “We have things on paper, we give really high-quality exams, and we follow principles of best teaching-learning strategies, but you don’t know until you get the official results.” Along with all passing the NCLEX-RN®, each of the nurses from the class of 2023 are now employed at various hospitals across the country, such as in the UMass Medical system through their new graduate program, St. Vincent Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Midstate Medical Center, Hartford Hospital, Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital, and Newport Hospital. Students from the class of 2023, such as Aly Landry and James Bachini, have said that their experiences at Assumption have benefited them greatly, both in terms of when they had to know for the NCLEX-RN® exam and for their nursing careers. “My experience not only prepared me for the NCLEX-RN®, but also for getting a job as a registered nurse on the cardiothoracic surgery unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston,” said Landry. “I believe that the foundation set from my time at Assumption with a strong liberal arts curriculum coupled with diverse clinical experiences really helped me transition to practice. I have confidence in my work and can draw from the values learned at Assumption.” “Although the entire process is incredibly stressful and difficult, I felt supported, prepared and capable thanks to the nursing curriculum and education that the wonderful Froelich School of Nursing faculty provided,” said Bachini. “I was also supported by a faculty mentor who helped motivate me and keep me on track with my studying for the boards as well as providing additional resources whenever needed.” The importance of the nursing program’s preparation for nursing students to enter their careers as compassionate professionals was also emphasized by both Stover and Bachini as a former student in the program. “The NCLEX-RN® is 100 percent important, but we pride ourselves on developing the professionalism required of the nurse as well,” she said. “The success of the program is a reiteration of Assumption’s commitment to develop the workforce in a time of a huge nursing shortage, making sure that these nurses are high quality and compassionate.” “Upon my hiring as a staff nurse at Beth Israel Lahey Hospital in Burlington, Massachusetts, I have felt that I have the proper skills in place to support me in my new position,” said Bachini. “We [nurses of the class of 2023] are well prepared to professionally and compassionately treat and serve patients today and well into the future.” The success of the class of 2023 was also aided by many other departments on campus that assisted in laying the science foundations, such as the as well as the humanities departments who were instrumental in establishing a foundation of critical thinking and reasoning that nursing knowledge is built upon. “This wasn’t just nursing’s success,” said Stover. “This was all hands-on deck, all departments that educate the students along their transformative journey here at Assumption.” nclex23-large.jpgStudents from the Froelich School of Nursing's Class of 2023 stand in front of the Catrambone Health Sciences Building. General Olivia Boudreau
- Senator Robyn Kennedy ’03 Leads Town Hall on Community Engagement and Women’s Intersectional LeadershipSenator Robyn Kennedy ’03 Leads Town Hall on Community Engagement and Women’s Intersectional Leadership oe.boudreau Mon, 11/06/2023 - 11:22 To kick off fall semester programming for Assumption’s Women’s Studies Program, Massachusetts State Senator Robyn Kennedy, a member of the class of 2003, participated in a town hall in the Tsotsis Family Academic Center on October 17th to discuss topics such as community engagement and women’s leadership. “I never envisioned that I would someday be standing here as your state senator,” Kennedy said. “Keep your eyes open, your hearts open, and your dreams big.” Kennedy, who graduated from Assumption with a bachelor’s degree in history, currently serves as State Senator for the First Worcester District of Massachusetts, which includes Boylston, West Boylston, Northborough, Berlin, Bolton, and most of Worcester. Through her career, Kennedy has worked in multiple different public service roles, including Chief Operating Officer at the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Central Massachusetts and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Children, Youth, and Families at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Over 140 students, faculty, staff, and alumni filled Ballroom A as Senator Kennedy advocated for policies such as the care economy, making the workforce more accessible for all, period poverty, and early education for all children. Senator Kennedy was introduced by Cinzia Pica, Director of the Women’s Studies Program and Professor and Chair of the Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies Department, and Kathryn Cannistraro ‘24, a human services major and women’s studies minor, who recently received the Outstanding Student in Human Services Award from the National Organization for Human Services. Kennedy began her speech by connecting her public service to her undergraduate experience at Assumption, saying she found inspiration in the university motto, “Until Christ be Formed in You.” She also said that in her public service, she works to “drive the mission of the university into a values system,” ensuring that Assumption’s mission is reflected in her work. She emphasized the importance of passionate leadership, encouraging students to take action in the Worcester community through volunteering for campaigns and uplifting and caring for those among us. “We need more leaders – we need the conviction as leaders to be driven by passion,” Senator Kennedy said. “Leaders willing to listen to and to be led by those who are most impacted by any issue we are facing.” To emphasize this point further, Kennedy quoted Bible verse Matthew 25:40, “…Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me,’” saying they were words that have always been important to her work. Kennedy made a point throughout her talk to encourage students to get involved in the Worcester community, including doing both community service and volunteering for local campaigns, saying that doing this work “helps [students] learn and grow [their] own values systems.” After an introduction of her major policy initiatives and promoting getting involved in the community, Kennedy fielded questions from Assumption students on topics such as the opioid crisis, immigration into Massachusetts, and housing. While answering these questions, Kennedy promoted more resources being allocated to community wellbeing, making child care more affordable for families, increased capacities for addiction treatment spaces, and pay increases for teachers, among many other policies. Toward the end of the town hall, Kennedy was asked for any advice she had for seniors getting ready to graduate. To answer, Kennedy stressed the importance of internships, telling students to “take advantage of internships that may not be in your field,” saying that interning can help students learn both what they are and aren’t interested in. AU-Robyn-Kennedy-Image.jpgAssumption University graduate from the class of 2003 Senator Robyn Kennedy participates in a town hall in the Tsotsis Family Academic Center.General Olivia Boudreau