Commencement Spotlights

Much of the class of 2024 began their college career remotely during the height of a global pandemic. But unprecedented times created adaptive, resilient, and tenacious students, who found ways to make the most out of their college experiences.

By studying abroad, founding student clubs and organizations, advancing to graduate school, and opening a new Esports lab, the class of 2024 has embodied UMass Dartmouth's mission to serve as an intellectual catalyst for economic, social, and cultural transformation.

Jillian Bolinger: Researching exploding stars

Jillian Bolinger's research on supernovae earned her a spot at the 2014 "Posters on the Hill" event in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research.

WecJeannie Emmanuel: Research on cross-cultural emotional perception

Nicholas Phillips: Growing bacteria to make bio-plastics

David Burr: Observation and identity in art

Using various media and formats, David explored different modes of observation and identity.

Matthew Crossman: Research on cybersecurity

Brittany Raposa: Health law & healthcare policy

Brittany Raposa plans to practice in family law or health and social policy law.

Ryan Carey: Nurse on a cardiothoracic intensive care unit

As part of his Community/Public Health Nursing clinical experience, Ryan Carey participated in service trips to Haiti.

Samantha Smith: Biology major planning a career in opthalmology

For her Endeavor Scholar service project, Samantha Smith spent a week in Ghana working with Unite for Sight.

Matthew DaCosta: Holistic approach to healthcare

Ana Paula Krelling: first PhD graduate of SMAST & IOUSP

Ana Paula Krelling is the first first dual-degree Ph.D. graduate of UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science (SMAST) and the University of São Paulo Institute of Oceanography (IOUSP).