Feature Stories 2024

Honors Nursing major
Olivia Munyambu '24: Researching the mental health of UMassD students of the African diaspora

Honors nursing major's research exposes healthcare disparities in the U.S.

Junior interior architecture + design major Apeksha Prasai '25 pictured in CVPA
Apeksha Prasai '25: Embracing change

Junior interior architecture and design major hopes to make home country more accessible

Honors College bioengineering major
Olivia Collins: Developing a laser light technique to detect early cancer

In memory of her mom, Honors bioengineering major hopes her research will contribute to the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer

Law student research
Matthew Gruneberg, JD candidate '24: From draftsman and illustrator to lawyer

After making a career change, Gruneberg says law is "what I was meant to do"

Foundation Board member, donor, alumna
UMassD’s Jan Reynolds ’82 honors parents, value of education with philanthropy

After Reynolds graduated from UMass Dartmouth with her father in 1982, she maintains a special connection to their alma mater with her extensive philanthropic history.

Seth Shea standing in front of the ocean
Seth Shea '24: Lobsterman turned environmental engineer

Civil and environmental engineering student says experience as a lobsterman inspired his interest in environmental resources.

Ashlee Shuemaker '24: From intern to inspiration

STEMming While Black secretary is set to graduate with a job offer from Dell Technologies

McCord Murray '24, Data Science and Mathematics dual major.
McCord Murray '24: The science of math

Data science and math dual-major unlocks his potential

Professinal headshot
Frank Scarano: A cornerstone of UMass Dartmouth’s MLS community

Professor and chairperson of Medical Laboratory Science demonstrates unwavering faith in countless generations of Corsairs that have relied on his leadership and guidance.

Student Chris Brunette against an orange wall
Christopher Brunette '24, '25: Never stop asking "why?"

Electrical and computer engineering student says curiosity is what makes him an engineer

Kevin Valentine '24: Nursing major finds his calling

A team player, he plans to become an operating room nurse

Photo of Tiffany and Fetchner Jadotte
The Jadottes: Corsair Pair sends love to CCB, UMass Law students through giving

After Cupid’s arrow struck these Corsairs as scholars, the Jadottes remain connected to the UMass Dartmouth and UMass Law communities through their philanthropic giving.

Group shot of College Now students
Once College Now, always College Now: Alumni fund scholarship for students

The UMass Dartmouth Alumni Association established a current use scholarship for hard-working College Now students set to graduate this spring.

Honors College political science major
Zoi Burns '24: DEI is her "heart and soul"

Political science major advances senior leadership pipeline at their Pine Street Inn Internship

VIP donor & alumna
Mary Louise Nunes ’83 and her pillars of philanthropy

It was love at first ledger when Nunes began her career in the mid-1980s. Now, she instills that same love for accounting in current UMassD students with her philanthropy.

CNHS and Honors College
Paige Bernier '24: Research success for this nursing major

Third-generation Corsair is the 5th member of her family to attend UMass Dartmouth

Student Aidan Root scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef while studying in Australia
Engineers Abroad: College of Engineering students explore Australia, Ireland, and Greece

Three engineering students share their experiences studying abroad

Members of The Torch pose at the first team meeting of the spring semester 2024.
The Torch

News for students, by students, keeps campus informed

PhD student Agata Piffer Braga and Professor Dan MacDonald at SMAST looking at the autonomous underwater vehicle T-REMUS
From apprentice to expert: A UMass Dartmouth mentorship story

Engineering/SMAST professor Daniel MacDonald and PhD student Agata Piffer Braga share their research and their perspectives from both sides of mentorship

Biology alum '12 and now assistant professor Katrina Velle
Katrina Velle '12: Paying it back

Biology alumna hired as assistant professor, returns to UMassD with multiple six-figure research grants

UMassD donor and students
Donors help create a community space for military-affiliated students

UMass Dartmouth debuts new Veterans' Resource Center.

CNHS alumna
Honoring a sister, friend, and caregiver

Suzanne Rodrigues establishes a lasting legacy for her sister with a planned gift to UMass Dartmouth.

MLS students in lab
UMassD's first-year MLS and nursing scholars take a "S.T.E.P. Up"

A unique program for first-year College of Nursing and Health Sciences students pushes them to embrace their new identities as future medical professionals

Cybersecurity grant bestowed to UMassD
Prepared to protect your business

A $3.5 million National Science Foundation grant bolsters cybersecurity program, readying students to become leaders in this cutting-edge field.

Former students with former faculty
New scholarship preserves the values of retired Chancellor Professor Ron DiPippo

Mechanical engineering alumni establish scholarship honoring their influential professor.

Performing research on boat
Making an impact on global sustainability

Scholars and researchers at the School for Marine Science and Technology contribute to creating a sustainable seafood supply while supporting the development of renewable energy.

Scholarship student
Empowering Sarah Adjei '26: Scholarships pave the way for global education access

From Ghana to UMass Dartmouth’s Ring Road, Sarah Adjei traveled across the world to attend college with the support of scholarship donors.

Exterior of Building
Restoring a modern learning hub

The largest investment in UMass Dartmouth’s history will prepare the Arts & Sciences building to serve students for the future

Shelly Scott
Shelly Scott goes the extra mile to love & support UMassD students through adversity

Scott does whatever she can to help students succeed, including investing in their potentials and financially supporting their endeavors with philanthropic giving.

Devon Zapor '24 pictured inside the Welcome Center
Devon Zapor '24: Event management

Management student builds experience toward dream job

Left to right: Kelsey Ferreira, Cami Boyd-Thomas, and Caro Cuevas pictured in Kyoto, Japan
Three CVPA students spend winter session in Kyoto, Japan

Arts majors study Japanese manga and anime for art history requirement

With Prof. Shannon Avery-Desmarais
Queyka "Kayeekuh" SaintLouis '24: First-generation nursing major aspires to become a nurse educator

Working at a camp for children and teens with diabetes impacted her career goals

Honors College Student Council
Honors College Student Council builds a community

Students develop friendships across campus and gain leadership skills

Student Christian Fall seated in the library living room
Christian Fall '24: An electrical engineer en route to medical school

Electrical engineer and entrepreneur is the first undergraduate SMART Scholar at UMassD

CAS alum
Haim Gal Moore ’18: From studying biology at UMassD to medicine at UMass Chan

Now a second-year student at UMass Chan Medical School, Moore’s interests in the immunology of cancer and related research adventures stemmed from his time at UMassD.

Student Percy Williams standing outside on UMassD campus
Percy Mason Williams '24: A sense of belonging

Computer science major reflects on his UMassD experience, including an internship at technology company Honeywell

Monika Janina Kristjánsdóttir
Monika Kristjánsdóttir '25: Making an impact

First-generation international honors student-athlete uses talents and passions to make a difference

Drawing by Connor Chan '24
Connor Chan '24

Drawing major explores the anatomy of friendship in his work for the 2024 Senior Exhibition