Transformative Gift Supports Career Igniting Opportunities for Emmanuel Students

With 100% of students completing at least one internship while at the College, the Leslie Ferrick McCafferty Career Center is a critical resource for preparing every Emmanuel graduate to enter the world of work, graduate school, or service.

“Emmanuel gave me a unique experience rooted in social justice and compassion,” said McCafferty. “I believe in the education and the impact the Career Center can have on the lives of students. Kevin and I are delighted to be able to support the work of the Center and the next generation of young leaders.”

This gift has a direct impact on students from the moment they begin their first year. Through McCafferty Career Center programming, students work with a group of seasoned professionals from day one, beginning with a required first-year course on Career Planning and Engagement. Survey data from the 2020-2021 academic year indicated 95% of first-year students could describe their plan of action for gaining hands-on experience, including both short- and long-term goals. The team also works one-on-one with students on developing a four-year career plan and offering courses, workshops, and events to develop the skills and career assets to secure internships and ultimately propel them to post-graduate careers.

"One of the most impactful and critically important aspects of an Emmanuel education today is preparing our students for a lifetime of employability and career fulfillment,” said Sr. Janet Eisner, SNDdeN, President of Emmanuel College. “This gift directly supports our mission of providing an education for the demands of the 21st century. This education is rooted in the liberal arts and sciences and complemented by unmatched practical and experiential opportunities. I am so grateful for Leslie and Kevin’s unwavering support.”

All Emmanuel students are required to complete at least one internship prior to graduation and many of these internships are within just two miles of the College’s Fenway campus. Based on reporting from the Class of 2020, by one year after graduation, 95% of those seeking employment had secured a position and 94% of those planning on graduate school had been admitted. The McCafferty Career Center continues to offer support to alumni well after graduation.

The McCafferty Career Center establishes key connections with external employers, developing partnerships through the Employer Advisory Council and a number of recruiter events both on and off campus. This coupled with the College’s location in the heart of Boston offers exceptional experiential opportunities for Emmanuel’s diverse and talented students.

“The Career Center is so appreciative of Leslie and Kevin McCafferty’s generous donation,” said Executive Director of the Career Center Maureen Ashburn. “This gift advances our mission of supporting and guiding students in realizing their career aspirations and empowering them to take an active role in their professional development. It also allows us to expand critical relationships with employers.”

Just this past semester, four Emmanuel students received the McCafferty Internship Stipend for positions at such placements as Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Mayor’s Office.

“The knowledge I gained from my internship experiences this semester will absolutely help me move forward in my future career goals,” said Aryana Martin ’22, an English major who is an editorial intern at MEDIAGIRLS. “The writing and research that I applied during my internship experience, through the holistic forms of work I accomplished at my site, prepared me for the demands of research and writing.

“As I continue my internship position next semester, I will begin my work knowing that the McCafferty internship stipend influenced my learning experience at my site.”

The McCafferty’s gift has played a key role in building momentum for Emmanuel’s Our Campaign for the Second Century. McCafferty has served on the Emmanuel College Board of Trustees and Development Committee for over two decades and has been part of Emmanuel’s most critical moments of growth. 

As the College continues to build on the strong foundation of the past 100+ years, developing resources to support students remains a top priority now and in the future.