Feature Stories
![Professional photo of Lai](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/alumni/alumni-features/Shaunna-Lai-(Main)-(1)-1-1200X800.png?text=fallback320)
When her dreams of becoming a nurse felt out of reach, Lai’s education at UMass Dartmouth was supported by scholarships, inspiring her to give back to current students in the same way.
![CCB alum in CCB](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/alumni/alumni-features/190107-phimmasone-silavong-tjc-034-1-1200X800.jpg?text=fallback320)
Former UMass Dartmouth Student Trustee and 2019 Commencement speaker “embraced the suck” to jumpstart his career and climb up the Citizens Bank food chain.
![](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/school-of-law/students/profies/IMG_5617-edit-1920X1080-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Practical experiences at UMass Law prepared military veteran for his new role in criminal prosecution
![Melanie Veilleux pictured outside the Claire T. Carney Library](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/MelanieHeadshot-1-1200X795.jpg?text=fallback320)
Graphic design student builds professional résumé in on-campus experiences
![Medical Laboratory Science major](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/med-lab-science/IMG_1524-preview-edited-1920X1080-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Medical laboratory science major is prepared for work at one of the nation's top children's hospitals before applying to medical school
![Marketing major](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/honors/images/tavares-jordan-Headshot1-1920X1080-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Internship in offshore wind industry and work in sustainability led to job with Energy New England
![PhD Series](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/college-of-nursing/graduate/LetourneauR-edit-1920X1080-(1)-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Trailblazer in nursing workforce development
![Shawn Koohy presents in the Claire T. Carney Library Grand Reading Room](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/IMG_3813-copy-1-1014X683.jpg?text=fallback320)
Mathematics major builds prolific undergraduate research career
![](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/school-of-law/students/profies/IMG_5001-1920X1080-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Part-time law student is grateful for the support of the UMass Law community as he commuted from Martha's Vineyard
![Nursing major, football player](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/college-of-nursing/nursing-students/IMG_7558-edit-1920X1080-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
UMassD experiences developed a future leader
![SMAST PhD student Jessie Kittel](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/240419-05.JESSICA-KITTEL-03-1920X1080-1-1200X675.jpg?text=fallback320)
PhD student and 100-ton captain Jessica Kittel is using climate data to better understand fish stocks
![Student Commencement Speaker](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/school-of-law/students/commencement/IMG_6893-1920X1080-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Builds a new community more than 1,000 miles from home
![Bioengineering student Jackie Ramirez](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/03.JACKIE-RAMIREZ-03-1920X1080-1-1200X675.jpg?text=fallback320)
From robotics to biodegradable plastics, Jackie Ramirez is graduating early with a wealth of experience in the lab.
![Clivens Joseph '24](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/08.CLIVENS-JOSEPH-01-1920X1080-1-1200X675.jpg?text=fallback320)
College Now alum and first-generation college student finds out what he's capable of at UMassD
![Honors Nursing major](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/college-of-nursing/nursing-students/06.OLIVIA-MUNYAMBU-03-1920X1080-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Honors nursing major's research exposes healthcare disparities in the U.S.
![Junior interior architecture + design major Apeksha Prasai '25 pictured in CVPA](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/ApekshaHeadshot-1-1200X675.jpg?text=fallback320)
Junior interior architecture and design major hopes to make home country more accessible
![Law student research](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/school-of-law/students/profies/Grunebergphoto-edit-1800w-(1)-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
After making a career change, Gruneberg says law is "what I was meant to do"
![Foundation Board member, donor, alumna](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/alumni/alumni-features/Jan-Reynolds-Main-Image-1-1200X800.png?text=fallback320)
After Reynolds graduated from UMass Dartmouth with her father in 1982, she maintains a special connection to their alma mater with her extensive philanthropic history.
![Seth Shea standing in front of the ocean](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/shea-seth-IMG_7865-1920X1080-1-1200X675.jpg?text=fallback320)
Civil and environmental engineering student says experience as a lobsterman inspired his interest in environmental resources.
![President, Student Bar Association](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/school-of-law/students/profies/09.GRACE-ST-URBAIN-04-horiz-1920X1080-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Public Interest Law Fellow strives to Pursue Justice
![McCord Murray '24, Data Science and Mathematics dual major.](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/McCordHeroImg-1-1200X675.jpg?text=fallback320)
Data science and math dual-major unlocks his potential
![](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/dell_hat-2-1-800X600.jpg?text=fallback320)
STEMming While Black secretary is set to graduate with a job offer from Dell Technologies
![Professinal headshot](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/13.FRANK-SCARANO-1-1200X800.jpg?text=fallback320)
Professor and chairperson of Medical Laboratory Science demonstrates unwavering faith in countless generations of Corsairs that have relied on his leadership and guidance.
![Christopher Brunette sitting in the library](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/04.CHRISTOPHER-BRUNETTE-03-1920X1080-1-1200X675.jpg?text=fallback320)
Electrical and computer engineering student says curiosity is what makes him an engineer
![](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/college-of-nursing/nursing-students/processed-2456D893-C16D-4133-A5E2-275E9E44161F-1920X1080-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
A team player, he plans to become an operating room nurse
![Honors Bioengineering major](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/honors/images/09.OLIVIA-COLLINS-05-1920X1080-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
In memory of her mom, Honors bioengineering major hopes her research will contribute to the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer
![Photo of Tiffany and Fetchner Jadotte](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/alumni/alumni-features/Jadottes-Leading-Image-(2)-1-1100X600.png?text=fallback320)
After Cupid’s arrow struck these Corsairs as scholars, the Jadottes remain connected to the UMass Dartmouth and UMass Law communities through their philanthropic giving.
![Group shot of College Now students](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/alumni/alumni-features/College-Now-Leading-Image-1-1200X600.png?text=fallback320)
The UMass Dartmouth Alumni Association established a current use scholarship for hard-working College Now students set to graduate this spring.
![Honors College political science major](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/honors/images/professional-headshot-2023-1920X1080-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Political science major advances senior leadership pipeline at their Pine Street Inn Internship
![VIP donor & alumna](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/alumni/alumni-features/ML-Nunes-Leading-1-1200X600.png?text=fallback320)
It was love at first ledger when Nunes began her career in the mid-1980s. Now, she instills that same love for accounting in current UMassD students with her philanthropy.
![CNHS and Honors College](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/college-of-nursing/nursing-students/processed-0BA1C30A-92DC-40D9-87D2-D548CB86833F-1920X1080-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Third-generation Corsair is the 5th member of her family to attend UMass Dartmouth
![Student Aidan Root scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef while studying in Australia](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/processed-AF82F9CA-0A96-4D1D-8B2C-7673B806295A-1-1200X800.jpeg?text=fallback320)
Three engineering students share their experiences studying abroad
![Members of The Torch pose at the first team meeting of the spring semester 2024.](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/TorchGroup-1-1200X675.jpg?text=fallback320)
News for students, by students, keeps campus informed
![PhD student Agata Piffer Braga and Professor Dan MacDonald at SMAST looking at the autonomous underwater vehicle T-REMUS](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/230216-UMD-SMAST-RESEARCH-242-1-1200X800.jpg?text=fallback320)
Engineering/SMAST professor Daniel MacDonald and PhD student Agata Piffer Braga share their research and their perspectives from both sides of mentorship
![Biology alum '12 and now assistant professor Katrina Velle](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/Profilie_picture-(1)-1-1200X1200.jpg?text=fallback320)
Biology alumna hired as assistant professor, returns to UMassD with multiple six-figure research grants
![UMassD donor and students](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/alumni/alumni-news/VeteransLounge-23-1-850X627.jpg?text=fallback320)
UMass Dartmouth debuts new Veterans' Resource Center.
![CNHS alumna](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/Paulette-Dumas-(1)-1-1200X600.png?text=fallback320)
Suzanne Rodrigues establishes a lasting legacy for her sister with a planned gift to UMass Dartmouth.
![MLS students in lab](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/STEP-Up-1-1200X600.png?text=fallback320)
A unique program for first-year College of Nursing and Health Sciences students pushes them to embrace their new identities as future medical professionals
![Cybersecurity grant bestowed to UMassD](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/Cybersecurity-1-1200X600.png?text=fallback320)
A $3.5 million National Science Foundation grant bolsters cybersecurity program, readying students to become leaders in this cutting-edge field.
![Former students with former faculty](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/DiPippo-1-1200X600.png?text=fallback320)
Mechanical engineering alumni establish scholarship honoring their influential professor.
![Performing research on boat](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/SMAST-1-1200X600.png?text=fallback320)
Scholars and researchers at the School for Marine Science and Technology contribute to creating a sustainable seafood supply while supporting the development of renewable energy.
![Scholarship student](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/Sarah-Adjei-(1)-1-1200X600.png?text=fallback320)
From Ghana to UMass Dartmouth’s Ring Road, Sarah Adjei traveled across the world to attend college with the support of scholarship donors.
![Exterior of Building](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/PXL_20231130_124055118-EDIT-1-1200X675.jpg?text=fallback320)
The largest investment in UMass Dartmouth’s history will prepare the Arts & Sciences building to serve students for the future
![Shelly Scott](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/shelly-web-1-1200X675.png?text=fallback320)
Scott does whatever she can to help students succeed, including investing in their potentials and financially supporting their endeavors with philanthropic giving.
![Senior management major Devon Zapor '24](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/DevonHeroImg-1-1200X800.jpg?text=fallback320)
Management student builds experience toward dream job
![Left to right: Kelsey Ferreira, Cami Boyd-Thomas, and Caro Cuevas pictured in Kyoto, Japan](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/Screenshot-2024-01-30-at-10.14.44%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%AFAM-copy-1-1200X1207.jpg?text=fallback320)
Arts majors study Japanese manga and anime for art history requirement
![Honors Nursing major](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/college-of-nursing/nursing-students/01.QUEYKA-SAINTLOUIS-05-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Working at a camp for children and teens with diabetes impacted her career goals
![Honors College Student Council](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/honors/images/DEI-Trivia-Night-1800w-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Students develop friendships across campus and gain leadership skills
![Student Christian Fall seated in the library living room](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/230403-09-CHRISTIAN-FALL-01-1-1200X800.jpg?text=fallback320)
Electrical engineer and entrepreneur is the first undergraduate SMART Scholar at UMassD
![CAS alum](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/alumni/alumni-features/Haim-Gal-Moore-Main-1-1200X800.png?text=fallback320)
Now a second-year student at UMass Chan Medical School, Moore’s interests in the immunology of cancer and related research adventures stemmed from his time at UMassD.
![Student Percy Williams standing outside on UMassD campus](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/231109-05.PERCY-WILLIAMS-01-1920X1080-1-1200X675.jpg?text=fallback320)
Computer science major reflects on his UMassD experience, including an internship at technology company Honeywell
![Monika Janina Kristjánsdóttir](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/img_1204-copy-1-1200X800.jpg?text=fallback320)
First-generation international honors student-athlete uses talents and passions to make a difference
![Drawing by Connor Chan '24](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2024/STUDENT-SUCCESS-Connor-Chan-%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%93color-pencils-and-acrylic-on-canvas-1-1200X1600.jpg?text=fallback320)
Drawing major explores the anatomy of friendship in his work for the 2024 Senior Exhibition