Feature Stories 2025: Olivia DeSimone '27: Founders' Scholarship, Year One

Olivia Desimone '27 was admitted to UMass Dartmouth in 2023 as one of the inaugural Founders' Scholars. She received a full-ride scholarship to UMassD, which covers her tuition, housing, dining, and other fees for four years.  

Throughout her first couple of semesters as a Corsair, DeSimone has found her place at UMassD both academically and socially-- partially due to her experience as a Founders’ Scholar. 

Benefits of the full-ride Founders' Scholarship

DeSimone described the advantages of receiving the Founders' Scholarship as having a community of support that lifts a financial burden off of her shoulders. 

"With this scholarship, I don’t have to worry about how I’m paying for school, which makes me feel like I have support and people behind me," she said. 

DeSimone found a strong support system with the other Founders' Scholarship recipients: Kaily Sousa, Molly Gedutis, and Zachary Gay. She works alongside them in the Admissions Office welcoming prospective students and their families to campus. "Working in admissions with the rest of the Founders' group, it’s nice to have the support and understanding of people who are going through the same things. There's a built-in community that gives me a sense of belonging.” 

Advantages of the Honors College

In addition to receiving financial support, Founders' Scholars are accepted into the Honors College. Honors students have access to smaller and more specialized classes with designated Honors professors. 

"I really like the Honors classes. So far, I’ve taken Honors accounting and a class on health myths. Courses that the Honors College offers are always very interesting,” DeSimone said.  

The perks of being an Honors student extend beyond the classroom. DeSimone met some of her closest friends through the college during her first year, and now lives with them in the Upper Class Apartments. Living in the Upper Class residence halls as a sophomore is possible through the college, which reserves apartments to create a community of Honors students. Plus, through the Founders' Scholarship, DeSimone’s housing fees are completely covered. 

"I've met some of my best friends through the Honors College. They're my roommates this year. It’s a lot of fun,” she said. 

Deciding on a major during her first year

DeSimone started her college career as a health and society major, but chose to switch to the healthcare administration program after falling in love with her economics classes. 

"I wanted a major with more business and economics courses, so I switched to healthcare administration. I like that it has a bit of math, but also teaches reasoning. I find healthcare administration interesting because it looks at healthcare from a business perspective and involves learning how to effectively communicate and lead,” she said. 

"Next semester I'm going to be taking ECO 388: Health Economics, which I'm looking forward to. I'd also like to take PSC 345: Politics of Public Health and a class on healthcare ethics. I’m thinking of going to law school, so these courses are intriguing to me because of my interest in health law." 

DeSimone is currently enrolled in the pre-law advising program, which prepares students for a future in law, and is considering attending UMass Law after she graduates. 

"I am interested in law school because it provides a multi-purpose education with so many different pathways, particularly in healthcare law and policy. My mom, who is an attorney, talks about how studying law teaches you a new way of thinking. She is a big inspiration to me, and I would love to follow in her footsteps.” 

Learn more about the Founders' Scholarship

Visit the Founders’ Scholarship informational webpage or email undergraduate@admissions.umass.edu to learn more about applying for this scholarship. 

You can connect with DeSimone on her LinkedIn. 

Working in admissions with the rest of the Founders' group, it’s nice to have the support and understanding of people who are going through the same things. There's a built-in community that gives me a sense of belonging.