Community

Writing and education are central interests for Grace Flaherty, and she’s laying the groundwork for a career that combines both at Emmanuel.
“I’ve been opened up to a lot of different routes where I can go,” she said.
The possibilities include graduate school, with the goal of becoming a writing professor, or going into nonprofits.
Flaherty is interning with an organization that partners with schools to produce literary magazines. She is assisting the editor and helping with social media, using skills she honed in Writing, Editing, & Publishing.
“I’m kind of doing a little bit of everything but it’s the perfect mix of education and writing,” she said.
Flaherty’s essay “Familiar Shores” was published in Memoir Mixtapes Magazine.

After much anticipation, the brand new commuter lounge opened on the lower level of St. Ann Hall! Commuters, come check it out!

Head of Non-Viral Gene Therapy and Genome Engineering at Sanofi
“Looking back, my time as a tutor at the ARC was my first real teaching experience. I became a peer tutor for Chem1102 during the spring semester of my first year. At the time, I knew nothing about teaching—the importance of patience, adapting to different learning styles, and mastering a subject well enough to teach it back to someone else. I picked up tips from other tutors, tutees, ARC staff, and my peers along the way and eventually tutored for a range of Biology and Chemistry classes.
I quickly realized that teaching was the most effective way to learn, and that lesson has stuck with me ever since. In my junior and senior years, I often found myself leading informal tutoring sessions for courses like Differential Equations, Molecular Biology, and Physical Chemistry—classes that didn’t always have official peer tutors since completing the course usually meant graduating. I would volunteer to help my classmates, knowing that by teaching the material, I was solidifying my own understanding.
That philosophy followed me into graduate school and continues to shape how I approach learning and leadership in my career today. I owe a debt of gratitude to the Emmanuel ARC for planting the seed early on—not just to master a subject, but to teach, to share knowledge, and ultimately, to embody what it means to truly be a doctor.”

Director of Athletics at Lesley University
"Emmanuel offers so many important resources to support its students and the ARC peer tutor program is a great example. When I served as a peer tutor, it not only helped me get a better grasp of the course material by planning group study sessions, it allowed me to connect with more members of the student-body and strengthen the sense of community within our program of study while developing a bond with some faculty members with whom I'm still in touch with today."

Curatorial Department Coordinator, Art of Europe, at the MFA Boston and Adjunct History Professor at Greenfield Community College
"I was a peer tutor for the History department from 2015 to 2018, and I cherished every moment! This experience shaped my journey as an academic and educator, as I learned to engage students and present content in ways that resonate with them. Today, as an adjunct professor, I carry forward the invaluable skills I gained—collaboration, understanding diverse learning styles, and helping to hone students' editing and grammar abilities—which have empowered me to inspire and mentor the next generation."

Account Manager at Building Engines
“While at Emmanuel, I worked for the ARC as a tutor for Introduction to Business Management. Currently, I work as an Account Manager for Building Engines, a JLL Company, a commercial real estate operations software platform).

In my current role, my responsibilities include being the main point of contact for the customer as well as managing the overall relationship between the client and Building Engines. Being a tutor helped me to lay the ground work for the organization, outreach, and time management skills that I use in my job every day.”

Isabelle Coughlin came to Emmanuel knowing she wanted to write. It was something new and she was a bit nervous, but she quickly found her way.
“Professors like Dr. Pope really helped me feel more confident in my writing and gave me the tools to be better at it,” said Coughlin. “She gives great prompts and that helps us work through our writing process.”
Coughlin’s essay “Cancer: Then and Now,” was recently published in The Manifest Station. Looking ahead, she’s weighing freelance writing or something in communications, confident she’s prepared for either track.
“I’ve learned so much from my professors, who are always willing to help out and talk,” she said. “I feel like I have the skills to succeed, going into my future career.”

Ava Cunningham chose the Writing, Editing & Publishing major to sharpen her writing skills, but found its also made her a better communicator.
“I’ve really developed to become a more authentic writer,” she said. “I’m more comfortable talking about myself and writing about my experiences. One of the greatest benefits of writing is that it’s a way for people to connect and learn about each other.”
Cunningham’s story “Wishbone” was published in Talk Vomit magazine. She said it was a great experience that left her wanting more.
“It almost didn’t register until I had the physical magazine and could flip through it,” she said. “It made me feel confident as a writer.”
Post-graduation, Cunningham is interested in professional writing.

Emma Grenier has always enjoyed writing, but that interest went in a surprising new direction after taking Dr. Pope’s Advanced Prose Writing course.
“I’ve always been a good writer, but it was really the first time I was writing about myself and what I’m interested in,” she said. “My interest in writing has grown.”
Grenier’s essay “Tanking the Growth Chart” was recently published in The Journal of Expressive Writing. She said that was a wonderful surprise, which grew out of inspiring classroom instruction from Dr. Pope.
“We did simple but very helpful exercises before each piece, and that was the most helpful thing,” said Grenier.
Looking ahead, Grenier is considering political communications, professional writing, or editing as career tracks.

An interest in publishing brought Abigail Di Carlo to Emmanuel. She discovered a love of writing in the classroom with Dr. Mary Elizabeth Pope.
“I think her sharing some of her life experiences in class helped me open up with my own writing,” said Di Carlo. “I felt inspired by what she’s accomplished, and it helped me see what I wanted to do as well.”
Di Carolo’s essay “Walking Away” was published in Waywords Literary Magazine. She is now working toward a Master of Library Science.
“Writing, Editing, & Publishing helped me learn how to write both creatively and professionally,” she said. “It showed me the different types of writing literary magazines look for and how to write for each one. That really prepared me for writing in my graduate studies.”

Sabrina Pires '24 began her Ph.D. program at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in August 2024, shortly after she graduated from Emmanuel. As an undergraduate, she got the opportunity to try out research - even when she wasn't sure if she would pursue it as a career. Without that opportunity, she said she might never have discovered the passion for research that set her on the path to a Ph.D., and her combined majors, neuroscience and biology, proved to be foundational for the next step in her education. "I never feel lost in my classes as it talks through cellular/molecular dynamics to genetic dispositions and behavior models. I feel really prepared despite being one of the younger people in my program," she said.

Keren Santanello '20 is currently enrolled in her Ph.D. program at Harvard University, where she is doing research focused on neuroimmunology. As a first-gen undergraduate and graduate student, she said that pursuing a science degree and aiming for Harvard often felt unattainable - but through her dedication and a foundation of mentorship, research opportunities and access to resources, she is now fully underway on that dream. “The supportive community at Emmanuel gave me the confidence to pursue ambitious goals, and the well-rounded curriculum ensured that I graduated with not just technical expertise, but also the communication and critical thinking skills for a multidisciplinary fields like neuroimmunology," Santanello said.

After working as a clinical assistant at Boston Children's Hospital for two years, Hannah Sullivan '22 began working towards her Ph.D. in biostatistics at Boston University. Sullivan went into her Emmanuel journey knowing she wanted to pursue statistics, but said the blend of liberal arts and sciences at the College allowed her to explore different applications of the humanities. Because of that, she graduated having explored a number of topics - like infectious diseases, economics and philosophy - and having visualized the many ways she can use her statistics knowledge in a variety of real-world applications.

Carrie Rodriguez '21 joined the MIT Biology Ph.D. program in 2023 and aims to one day be a professor. From her time at Emmanuel, she lists her humanities-based course load as one of the most crucial takeaways: helping to develop her problem solving and communication skills. “There is inherent value in the humanities,” Rodriguez said, “a scientist without regard to ethics, literature or the broader world is limited in perspective and risks overlooking the societal impact of their work.” Rodriguez began doing research at Emmanuel as a first-year, and eventually won a Goldwater Scholarship in 2020. “The award, made possible by the biology department’s belief in me, opened many doors for me as a young scientist. I remain close to several of my professors from Emmanuel, who I now consider to be lifelong mentors,” Rodriguez said.

Emma Stevens' '22 interest in computational chemistry bloomed at Emmanuel, where she became determined to find a way to combine chemistry and computer science into a career path. Now enrolled in a Ph.D. program at Northeastern University's Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, she is doing just that. As an undergraduate, she saw Emmanuel's small class sizes as a true advantage, helping her form lasting connections with professors and receiving personalized mentorship. Now it's translated into her Ph.D. program, where she has always felt incredibly prepared. "If anything, my time in graduate school has left me even more impressed with the quality of education I received at Emmanuel," Stevens said.

One of the best decisions Rylie Bolarinho ’22 thinks she made at Emmanuel College was joining Professor of Chemistry Dr. Aren Gerdon’s research group. Not only was it where she discovered her passion for chemistry, but the incredible support from the Chemistry department helped her to flourish as a student. “They knew us and cared about how we were doing. I wasn’t just a name in the classroom,” Bolarinho said. Now at Boston University, her research group uses advanced microscopy to study the chemical fingerprint of diseases. She didn't go into the program with a ton of experience on that specific topic, but said she still had all the tools she needed thanks to her extensive research experience at Emmanuel.

As a neuroscience major and psychology minor at Emmanuel, Sydney Iacoi '20 made sure to follow advice she received from alumni to prioritize research and clinical experience to bolster her resume. Now while enrolled in a clinical psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Rhode Island, Iacoi has since returned to Emmanuel to echo that same advice to current students. A number of those hands-on experiences, like working in a research lab at Harvard University, an internship at a pediatric neuropsychologist's private practice and more helped pave her way toward being accepted into a Ph.D. program. "Through my classes and great mentorship, I was able to gain the knowledge I needed to form my career goals and aspirations," Iacoi said.

For Shane Mitchell '21, one of the most formative experiences he had at Emmanuel College was listening to a talk given by Associate Professor of Biology Anupama Seshan, Ph.D., where he first learned about what it takes to earn a Ph.D. and how to get involved in faculty research on campus. From there, his research at Emmanuel guided his interest in exploring research as a career. "I will always be grateful for being able to attend Emmanuel," Mitchell said, "the class sizes allowed me to get to know the professors and learn more about the paths they had taken to get where they are today – and being able to learn from them gave me invaluable insight on how I would need to proceed to shape my future,” Mitchell said.

By studying worms (C. elegans) the Karagodsky lab - including Maria La Terza '25 (front) and Aiden McCarty '25 (back) - aims to deepen their understanding of how stress and aging impact the body, potentially identifying drug targets to combat age-related diseases like Alzheimer's and Type 2 Diabetes.

Students from the Cabrera lab (from left to right: Jillian Feyler '27, Aaliyah Martinez-Ulloa '26, Arthur Langford '25 and Cynthia Brito '25) observe fruit fly ovaries using the Keyence microscope. The Cabrera lab studies how developmental genes are turned on or off to regulate embryonic development using fruit flies as a model organism.

Using yeast and bacteria as model systems, the Kuehner lab studies cellular stop signals to understand and control the DNA traffic underlying gene expression. Students in the Kuehner lab, Catalina Lujan-Rodriguez '26 (pictured), Lane Couturier '26 and Max Popoloski '26 use molecular modeling of biological molecules like protein and RNA to better understand the chemical interactions that support their function in normal cells or prevent their function in abnormal cells.

In the Deighan lab, Astrid Esperanza Noriega '26 is researching how within E. coli bacteria, proteins are engineered to be exported outside the cells. Proteins that aggregate can be visualized on agar plates, or using microscopy techniques. The research contributes to the molecular understanding of how proteins fold, or mis-fold, with ramifications for many human diseases.
"This summer, I learned a lot about myself with independence and troubleshooting. I've learned the importance of collaboration and being adaptable in situations where the research may not be going well. [And] I had the opportunity to present my research in front of staff members," Noriega said.

Sam Tierney '20 is in the preclinical portion of his education at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University studying anatomy, biochemistry, immunology – and it’s been as engaging and fulfilling as he’d hoped.
Tierney highlighted his writing minor as a huge asset making him a more well-rounded applicant and his humanities coursework in helping him build on his interpersonal skills and social literacy. On top of that, he had the unwavering support of the College of Science & Health faculty in his medical studies.
“The guidance of Dr. Deighan and the HPAC was invaluable - I simply can’t thank the Emmanuel faculty enough for the caliber of education I received there, as well as the personal guidance they offer that is not as common at a lot of larger institutions,” Tierney said.

Katelyn Hunter ’22 is at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Having always wanted to go to dental school, she said it’s been a surreal experience since she started there last July. The transition was smooth for her, not only because she was able to stay in the Boston area, but because Emmanuel’s Biology program prepared her for it. “I never realized how important small class size was, but it really made a difference being able to connect with all my professors,” said Hunter.
Amongst many other things like tutoring and captaining the Women’s Lacrosse Team for two years, she completed a dental-focused thesis project at Emmanuel, which enhanced her medical school application, she said. “Many applicants complete research but aren’t able to put so much time into it or have flexibility with what they want to work on.”

Maggie Loiselle ’20, spent three years at Mass General after graduation doing research on cystic fibrosis and COVID-19 before her acceptance to the University of New England School of Osteopathic Medicine. “The close-knit community at Emmanuel and the encouragement from the professors played a large role in setting me up for success,” said Loiselle.
At Emmanuel, Loiselle said she learned to be as open-minded as possible, which helped her to learn she was interested in a career in both patient care and research. Though the MCAT and application process were time consuming while working full time, she said she always had the Emmanuel faculty to lean on: “the HPAC were supportive, encouraging and very helpful throughout the entire process and I can’t thank them enough for their help.”

Ashleigh Meyer '20 said starting medical school last summer has been the toughest but most exciting thing she’s done in her life. After a few gap years researching, working and volunteering, she is now studying at the T.H. Chan School of Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School.
Developing relationships with professors was hugely important in Meyer’s time at Emmanuel. She worked alongside Dr. Seshan, which started with getting to know the latter’s research through office hours and then joining her research team. It culminated in a thesis and publication during Meyer’s senior year. “I strongly believe that the close-knit community of Emmanuel is what allows students to foster mentor relationships that last a lifetime,” said Meyer.
She credited the entire College of Science & Health faculty with fostering a particularly nurturing atmosphere: “I owe so much to the entire department, as it is full of educators who pushed me to reach my fullest potential during college,” Meyer added.

Gabrielle Nuki ’20 graduated from Emmanuel online during the COVID-19 pandemic and took time to work in the medical field before moving on to the University of New England’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. She worked as a medical scribe for Mass Eye + Ear and Brigham & Women’s Hospital during her time at Emmanuel too, granting herself exposure to “remarkable physicians.”
She also praised the support she received during the application process to medical school. “The HPAC process was honest and helpful in reflecting on what kind of applicant I was. It was able to show me what my strengths were and how to navigate discussing my weaknesses. I think that was critical in making me feel more prepared for the medical school interviews,” said Nuki.

Madison Webber ’23, has begun her studies at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, where she said she’s realized just how much potential she and her colleagues have to make a lasting impact on the world around them.
From the minute she started at Emmanuel, Webber got fully immersed in research. Since she got her start so quickly, Webber was able to apply to med school by her junior year, preparing her for the rigor of medical school and setting her apart from others, “which has been invaluable,” she said.
“The faculty of the biology and chemistry departments were instrumental in providing personalized mentorship and support. I was always shown encouragement and genuine interest in my success,” said Webber.

Pietra Oelke ’21 has spent the last seven months with the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, where she said she has settled in nicely to a tight-knit community. Upon reflection, Oelke said she recognizes the value of a liberal arts education for those who are pursuing medicine.
“Emmanuel’s strong STEM program equipped me with foundational knowledge that I use and build upon daily. Delving into courses outside of my biology major, like philosophy, exposed me to different perspectives that have been invaluable as I learn to care for others,” said Oelke.
Navigating college and the complex process of becoming a physician was a challenge, Oelke added, but building relationships with Emmanuel faculty like Dr. Seshan was instrumental in her journey: “I attribute much of my success in the medical school application process to the support I received at Emmanuel,” she said, “I felt they [faculty] genuinely cared for me and were rooting for my success.”

Post-graduation, Allison Carroll ’19 went into translational cancer research at MIT, cementing her goal to work in cancer research in the future as well. Carroll went from Boston to Brooklyn for her medical school and is fully immersed at the SUNY Downstate College of Medicine.
What stood out to Carroll in her Emmanuel experience was the small class size, which led to more individualized mentorship: “this level of attention is something not many students have access to, and I cannot express enough how much I appreciate that.”
Her relationships with her professors, like mentors Dr. Karagodsky and Dr. Kuehner are ones that she keeps to this day. “The professors at Emmanuel believed in me and motivated me to try new things and reach for new opportunities. Their guidance helped me achieve my goal,” said Carroll.

Haley Connelly ’19 said there are few cities that beat Boston when it comes to learning medicine. Now in the School of Osteopathic Medicine at A.T. Still University in Arizona, she credits her undergraduate experience with helping her come out of her shell.
She said it’s been fun to take all that she’s learned in her academic career and apply it, and she’s constantly adapting her style to do what works best for her. At Emmanuel, Connelly said she appreciated always having someone to answer the many questions that pop up while aspiring towards a medical career.
“Applying to medical school is draining, we all know that! What’s great about the HPAC is that you don’t have to do it alone. They are there for anything and everything,” said Connelly.

Junior Pinning!

"My time at Emmanuel has been what I would consider some of the most beneficial, memorable, and enjoyable years of my life. Although I will miss calling 400 Fenway my home, I am so excited for what is next to come with an opportunity working for The Walt Disney Company. I will never forget the moment I got the email that I got the role and celebrated with my friends on campus!" - Christian Bettinelli '23

You never know who you’ll meet in the city. This is a pic of me and Red Sox star Xander Bogaerts after a Major League Baseball playoff game.

"This picture was taken at Lawn on EC back in 2021. It was one of the first events after coming back from the virtual semester, so everyone was really excited to see each other! My friend Kayla and I went around to all the little activities they had at Lawn on EC which included the light up swings, axe throwing, and bull riding! It honestly felt like we never left!" - Brianna Chu

When the snow starts to melt on the Quad, and Spring feels close, you can feel it in the air and among the students!

"My first year at Emmanuel, my Indoor Track team won our GNAC conference meet in 2020. My team was so happy and proud of each other for what we had accomplished together." - Molly Winship

I love going to Fan Pier Park in Boston’s Seaport District. There is a pavilion roof deck that has amazing views of the harbor.

We walked by some cool art on our way to Cambridge for dinner. It's just a T ride away!

"It was always so much fun working in the Office of Involvement. I've learned a lot of transferable skills that will come in handy as I'm pursuing a career in higher education at Harvard Graduate School of Education next fall! This picture was taken during President Boyd's Inauguration, very busy day, but it was an unforgettable, amazing experience because of the people I was with! " - Ro Chavez

Within steps of campus are exciting things that the city offers, like an outdoor ice-skating rink outside the Time Out Market!

We were so happy to fundraise again this year for our neighbors at Boston Children’s Hospital! It’s always exciting to see the final moments where we reveal the total!

"Finding such an amazing group of friends while performing and working with the theater program has allowed me to meet people I wouldn't have met otherwise from our campus and the rest of the COF. Then directing my first show ever back in February, was such an amazing experience, working with the talented people we have within the program!" - Kelley Kazorek

"Always loved late night snacks at College Pizza!" - Peter Avila

Views from the 14th floor of Saint Julie Hall!

"Walking around Fenway with my roommate Sam, who has been my best friend since we met freshman year!" - Julia Pellizzaro

My favorite thing to do around Boston is definitely explore the city with my friends. Whether it’s going to Red Sox games with my friends, grabbing a coffee at Tatte or walking around Newbury Street, I love that we have the whole city of Boston at our reach.

Can never miss a Celtics game!

The Emmanuel College Dance Team made Top 5 at the 2022 UDA New England Dance Challenge! So Proud Of My Team <3

One of my favorite memories of my first year on campus was making friends with the guys who lived in my hallway. It took me a few months to find the right group for me, but once I did I knew that I had found some friends for life! Every few weeks we would all gather in my room for a movie night, luckily we held one last movie night before we left for spring break, not knowing that we wouldn’t see each other for several months.

"This is a favorite memory of mine with some of my best friends in For Good Measure after our spring concert last year. I joined this a cappella group because I love to sing but I had no idea how many great memories would come from that decision. I am super grateful I made the decision to join this group because I made so many friends while also getting the opportunity to do something that I love!" - Sam Jones

One of my favorite on campus traditions is Moonlight Breakfast hosted by the Emmanuel College Programming Team (ECPT). It is one of the many events on campus that focuses on building community while also having fun, especially before finals season. We got to stuff little stuffed animals, have breakfast as a late night meal, while having the opportunity to win some prizes (like Emmanuel gear or a flatscreen TV).

"The memories made with being on the basketball team at Emmanuel and being able to represent my school. I have made long lasting friends because of the basketball team and extremely thankful for the experience". - Brendan Kade

My favorite memory of my first year on campus was exploring Boston and trying all different types of food. I loved walking around Boston; either to the Boston Public Library on a sunny day, just down the street along the Muddy River, or around the South End at the Winter Festival. There was always something to do and new to eat.

In 2022, I participated in Alternative Spring Break in Anderson, West Virginia. Here we are at Bethlehem Farm!

I always try to study and catch up on work outside as much as possible during the warm months. Secluded enough by the trees, but also still in the heart of campus, the picnic tables next to the Quad might just be my favorite spot!

"My sophomore year we were the first softball team in school history to win the GNAC and played in the NCAA tournament in Texas! It was an amazing experience and a highlight of my time at Emmanuel. " - Tianna Dawe '23

As a student at Emmanuel, you get free access to both the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum! I take advantage of this a lot with my friends and we enjoy the beautiful garden and amazing artwork on display at the Isabella Stewart Gardner.

As a member of the Emmanuel Cross Country team I am able to travel all over to compete in collegiate meets. One of these meets was in Bethlehem, PA amongst the cornfields at Lehigh University! I really enjoy being able to travel and make memories with my teammates wherever we go.

"Junior Pinning is something I will always remember. While receiving my pin was fun and exciting, my favorite part was all of my friends' families coming together to celebrate! As our parents took photos, I felt so loved and accomplished." - Victoria Slattery

"My senior year I attended alternative spring break and traveled to Phoenix Arizona to serve individual's experiencing homelessness at a place called André House! it was definitely an experience I will never forget!" - Casey Phillips

My first year at Emmanuel has brought so many great memories. Most of my memories have been with the great friends I’ve made here. One specific memory with my friends here was when we went out and explored the city before we all went home for Christmas break. We had planned a secret Santa between us but decided to go out to dinner off campus before. It was great to get off campus and explore the city, especially when it is all lit up for the holiday! In the Faneuil Hall area there were street performances that we stopped and watched and just enjoyed our time off campus. It was a great way to end the semester and escape the finals season before we all went home for break!

My favorite memory of my first year on campus was the day my friends and I went for a photoshoot after our classes. We all got dressed up and had a tourist day during the Fall semester so we could see what was around campus. Rather than choosing destinations we just walked. In our time out we managed to hit a majority of the tourist spots in the EC area. During our little adventure we saw the Prudential Center, the Boston Public Library, Newbury Street and Fenway Park. The next day our feet had been a bit sore, but that was nothing a little girls night in couldn’t fix. In the end we got super cute photos, a little taste of what Boston has to offer, and an unbreakable bond with new friends, which is all I could ever ask for.

One of my fondest fall memories at EC was getting tickets to a Red Sox game in September with a bunch of my friends! It was so fun to be together and be a part of a huge tradition that comes with being in Boston, cheering on the Sox!

Spring time in Beantown!

"One example of many of the times I went on fun adventures with a friend/friends. My friends and I went around Boston and walked around the Boston Common and Garden then came back took this picture of my friend and I around Fenway". - Kasey Jiang

Flag Football Tournament!