Giving Back and Maintaining Lifelong Connections

Dorice Griffith ‘92, the Associate Dean for Student Learning and Success at Emmanuel College, looks back on her experiences as both a student and staff member at Emmanuel with pride and gratitude.

She attributes her successful career trajectory to the solid foundation laid by the College, highlighting how Emmanuel instilled in her not only confidence but also a deep desire to serve others. The relationships formed during her time at Emmanuel continue to be meaningful — an example of the enduring influence of the College on both her professional and personal development.

“The friendships that I made here are eternal. I say to students that when you hear folks say, ‘You'll meet some of your best friends at college,’ that can absolutely happen because it happened for me. My best friend from college is my daughter’s godmother,” she said. “Once an Emma, always an Emma.”

Griffith is a proud member of the Billiart Society — alumni who give to the College for three consecutive years and every year thereafter. Her commitment to giving back to Emmanuel is rooted in appreciation and a deep sense of cultivating belonging. Her contributions reflect her desire to support current and future students in their academic and personal pursuits.

When asked about her motivations for giving, Griffith expressed a desire to pay forward the support and opportunities she received as a student. Her generosity aims to help students overcome hurdles and contribute to the legacy of Emmanuel College. She believes that every contribution furthers the college's mission of nurturing change-makers who will make a positive impact on the world.

“I give each year to the school because Emmanuel helped me become the me I am, and I would like it to help the way the College helped me,” Griffith said. “Students who graduate from Emmanuel are change-makers, and my giving contributes to that legacy.”

After graduating with a major in political science and a minor in Spanish, Griffith pursued a master's degree in education at Bridgewater State, specializing in counseling. Her career took her through the realms of social work and childcare, and she climbed the ranks to become an executive director at a nonprofit agency in Dorchester. However, it was her unwavering connection to Emmanuel that guided her path back to the College, where she has served since 2013, working alongside several faculty members, Professors Lenore Martin and Marie Natoli, who were her undergraduate political science professors.

Reflecting on her time as a student, Griffith reminisced about a different era at Emmanuel, where the campus and programs have evolved significantly since the early '90s. Despite these changes, the sense of community and the enduring friendships she forged during her time as a student remain a cherished part of her Emmanuel experience.

“The campus has expanded so much since I was a student, and there are more opportunities for students,” Griffith said. “But the community spirit has not changed at all — it’s as strong as it was when I was a student.”

Griffith's story embodies the ethos of Emmanuel College — a place where connections endure, contributions matter, and alumni like her continue to make a difference in the lives of others.