An Enduring Connection to Emmanuel

Christina “Tina” Ascolillo’s connection to Emmanuel College runs deep. From her earliest days on campus, she eagerly stepped into leadership roles and embraced the close-knit community.

Whether through Political Forum, serving as a resident assistant and orientation leader, or participating in Alternative Spring Break trips, Ascolillo '17 immersed herself campus life and cultivated lasting connections. To Ascolillo, Emmanuel was more than a place to earn a degree; it was a community that shaped both her professional and personal growth.

As a political science and history major, Ascolillo sought hands-on experience to complement her academic work. She interned twice—first as a legislative intern at the Massachusetts State House and later at O’Neill and Associates, a government relations firm in Boston. These roles, combined with her studies, further ignited her passion for politics and advocacy. “Emmanuel gave me the chance to apply what I was learning in the classroom to real-world settings, and those internships helped me build the foundation for my career," she said.

After graduation, Ascolillo launched her public-service career at the Massachusetts State House, spending five years working with two state representatives. She began as communications and constituent services director for State Representative Linda Dean Campbell, before transitioning into the role of legislative director, where she oversaw policy development. She later served as legislative director for State Representative Lori Ehrlich.

She left the State House in 2022 and joined Rasky Partners, a public relations and public affairs firm in Boston, as a senior public affairs associate on the State Government Relations team. She now serves as vice president. In this role, Ascolillo works with a wide range of clients, from nonprofits to corporations, on issues spanning education, healthcare, energy, and housing.

In addition to her work at Rasky Partners, Ascolillo is an advisory committee member for the New England Council’s Rising Stars network, a program aimed at mentoring young professionals in the region.

Ascolillo credits her experiences at Emmanuel—both in and outside of the classroom—with preparing her for the challenges of her career. "Emmanuel instilled in me the confidence to take on leadership roles and to believe in the power of advocacy.”

Her connection to Emmanuel has remained a cornerstone of her life. (In fact, Tina's mother, Mary Ascolillo, is a 2007 alumna of the Graduate and Professional Program.) Her dedication to the College led her to the Alumni Association Board. Though her initial attempt to join the board was unsuccessful, she persisted, eventually securing a seat and quickly rising to leadership positions, including Treasurer and Vice President. In July, she succeeded Joanne Moffatt ‘70 as President.

“I always wanted to stay involved in a more formal capacity after graduation,” Ascolillo said, and serving on the board provided that opportunity.

Ascolillo is leading the Alumni Association Board through a time of transformation, both for the board and the College. With Emmanuel navigating a period of change—including leadership transitions and evolving post-pandemic priorities—Ascolillo sees her role as pivotal in helping the board adapt and grow.

She aims to cultivate a stronger connection between Alumni and the College, encouraging Alumni to return to campus and engage with current students and faculty. Ascolillo helped to organize a networking event in April that featured Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan ’76.

“Involvement means more than just financial contributions,” Ascolillo said. “Time is equally valuable. We want alumni to know that there are many ways to stay connected.”

Additionally, Ascolillo is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion on the board. She has championed the creation of a Social Justice Committee and was instrumental in crafting a social justice statement, but she emphasized that there is still work to be done. “We’ve set important goals as a committee, but we need to continue building on them,” she said, recognizing this as a key focus for the future.

Moffatt, the former President of the board, has full confidence that Ascolillo will achieve her goals. “Shortly after she was elected to the board, Tina expressed a strong interest in taking on more responsibility. With full confidence in her leadership, I watched her excel as treasurer and vice president, while also chairing several key committees, including program and communications and social justice,” Moffatt recalled. “Tina’s leadership has had a profound impact on numerous alumni outreach projects, most notably in raising awareness and deepening the board's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. I’m excited to see where she takes the board.”

As she looks ahead, Ascolillo is optimistic about the future of both the board and Emmanuel College. “Emmanuel has given me so much, and I want to continue being part of this community, helping to shape its future,” she said. Whether through her leadership on the board or her career in government relations, Ascolillo is proof that the Emmanuel experience extends far beyond the classroom—and that the connections made there last a lifetime.