May School Students Secure Placements with Prestigious Companies and Competitive Grad Programs

Mentoring, Internships and Athletics Add Up to Success for Actuarial Mathematics Major

In keeping with his role as a goalkeeper for Stonehill’s NCAA Division I soccer team, Ryan Claffey didn’t let many experiences get by him during his four years here. From leadership experiences and mentorship opportunities to studying in Florence, Italy, and an internship that led to a job offer, he managed to snag every opportunity that came his way.

An actuarial mathematics major and economics minor, Claffey will soon join the team at Travelers, one of the nation’s largest and most successful underwriters, as a participant in the company’s Actuarial Leadership Development Program.

“Serving as the president of the Financial Management Association enhanced my public speaking as well as my organizational skills,” said the Colchester, Connecticut, resident and graduate of Bacon Academy in the same town. “It also helped me expand my knowledge beyond what I could have learned from coursework alone.”

In addition to the knowledge gained in his program and the experiences gained through his internship, the soccer program and the Financial Management Association, Claffey also credits his success to the mentorship received from actuarial mathematics Professor Heiko Todt and finance Professor Michael Mullen, whom he credits with helping him develop some essential leadership and communication skills.

“My advisor, Heiko Todt, has been incredibly influential to my academic development at Stonehill,” he said. “He has guided me through multiple actuarial exams, which are critical for securing an internship and ultimately a full-time position, and pushed me to develop an appreciation for sophisticated mathematical theory.”

Communication Sciences & Disorders Major Who Did It All Wins Seat in Master’s Program

Ainsley Majer was so impressed with the mentorship she experienced in her Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) major that she took on a leadership role in helping ensure that the newest students in the program would enjoy the same support.

“I worked with Professor [Robin] Goldberg and the rest of the executive board to create a peer mentorship program for our freshman and sophomore CSD majors to help guide them through the first two years of college,” said Majer, who also majored in psychology. “I have learned how to collaborate on a team and seek and apply feedback that I have received when working with professors and students to create this program.”

Juggling two majors, serving on the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association executive board, studying abroad and being a campus tour guide was a challenge. But she soon learned just how supportive Stonehill professors are.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to double major in psychology and CSD, but Professor Goldberg made it happen,” Majer said of Goldberg, CSD program director. In addition, CSD Professor Charlotte Mullen revised the scheduled meeting time of one class Majer and a few other seniors needed in order to graduate. 

In addition to her strong mentorship relationships with CSD professors Goldberg, Mullen and Chris McCormick and support from Karlie Gaden in Career Development, she credits her two CSD internships, her experiences as a Moreau Honors Program scholar and her semester studying in Seville, Spain, as having a profound impact on her intellectual and personal growth over the past four years.

“In Seville, I was able to take psychology and Spanish classes and served as a teaching assistant to Spanish students studying to become English interpreters,” said Majer. “I learned so much about the Spanish language, how to be an interpreter and general language skills.”

A native of Hudson, Massachusetts, and a graduate of Hudson High School, Majer now takes the next major step in a CSD journey: pursuing her master’s degree in speech-language pathology at the University of Rhode Island.

“Every professor made it clear that they wanted me to succeed, whether through giving me real-world experience, speaking about their experiences as a speech-language pathologist, sharing a wealth of knowledge through lectures or bringing in relevant technology,” she said.

Double-Major Track and Field Hurdler Leaps Over Competition to Land Spot in Law School

Long before she was accepted into the University of Baltimore School of Law, Aneka Andrews was gaining the knowledge and experiences that would allow her to tailor her career to align with her interests.

She completed internships in nearby Brockton at both Khanbabai Immigration Law and the Brockton Court Service Center while also juggling the demands of two majors and serving as captain of the College’s NCAA Division I women’s track and field team.

“In my internship at the court service center at the Brockton District Court, I learned about the many different types of cases within family and probate and district courts,” said Andrews, who double majored in Stonehill’s language program (Spanish/Arabic) and criminology. “I was able to have a hands-on learning experience within the criminal justice system as well as use my Spanish language skills to translate for clients.”

Once she decided to pursue a career in law, she said Stonehill’s Career Development team stepped up to make sure her law school application process went smoothly.

“(Career advisor) Karlie Garden was a significant help to me,” said the McLean, Virginia, resident and McLean High School graduate. “She helped review and edit my resume and LinkedIn profile and provided feedback on my law school personal statement and assistance when applying to summer and fall internships.”

She expects her track experience will also benefit her as she moves forward.

“As a captain on the track and field team, I have learned a lot about leadership,” said Andrews, who has earned membership in both Stonehill’s Edwin H. Sutherland Criminology Society and Chi Alpha Sigma, the national student-athlete honor society. “I have learned important leadership skills such as communication and the importance of creating and maintaining team culture. It has also taught me the importance of being a good role model through action and words.”

Academics, Research Experience Lead Biochemistry Major to World-Renowned Master’s Program

Given that Stonehill has long encouraged students to see the world as their classroom, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that more than a few graduates collect their diplomas and then grab their passports when launching the next chapter of their lives overseas.

Among them is biochemistry major Julia Helms, who in the fall will begin her master’s degree in pharmaceutical technology at Lund University in Sweden.

“I was drawn to Lund University because of its strong reputation in pharmaceutical sciences and sustainability initiatives and its location in Medicon Valley, a leading life sciences hub,” said Helms, who came to Stonehill from Alfred, Maine, and has family in Sweden. “The region offers access to cutting-edge research, industry connections and career opportunities in biotech and pharmaceuticals, which closely align with my long-term goals in drug development and disease prevention.”

Helms says she is confident that the research and leadership opportunities she had at Stonehill have positioned her well for success in graduate school and beyond.

“As secretary of the Chemistry/Biochemistry Club, I developed strong leadership and organizational skills,” she said. “And my participation in the Stonehill Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program not only strengthened my technical laboratory skills but also taught me how to think critically, problem-solve and take ownership of long-term scientific work.”

Throughout it all, she was grateful for the mentoring support of her professors, especially Professor Marilena Hall of the Chemistry Department.

“Professor Hall has played an instrumental role in my growth as both a scientist and a student, creating an environment where I have felt supported and valued,” said Helms. “Beyond academics, our shared love for fashion and music has allowed us to connect on a more personal level, making her mentorship even more meaningful.”

Education-History Double Major Moves to the Head of the Class as First Grade Teacher

When Danielle Lanoue started student teaching, she was determined to share with her students the support and sense of community she helped create during her four years at Stonehill College.

“During my time as a student teacher, I was tasked with being involved in the school’s community, but I took it a step further,” said Lanoue, who double majored in education studies and history. “I made sure to be involved with the students, attending their after-school games and commitments, wishing them luck prior to competitions and providing a shoulder when they needed to talk to a trusted adult.”

Back on campus, she relished opportunities to build similar supportive relationships.

“During my time with the cheerleading team, Campus Ministry and the History Society, I truly loved helping incoming students blossom from being a shy lamb to developing into a resilient member of the community who is constantly bettering Stonehill and the world by leading with heart,” said Lanoue, who after graduation will be teaching first grade at Blessed Sacrament School in Providence, Rhode Island, while also pursuing her master’s degree in elementary and secondary special education at Rhode Island College.

She also cherishes the bonds she formed through her involvement with the cheer team.

“I love the community, learning about all my teammates and enjoying our time together,” the Providence native said. “Even when it gets tough, we all power through — and it shows. It truly is becoming a powerful family.”   

A NOTE OF RECOGNITION

More than 150 graduating seniors reported success in securing a placement prior to commencement. We received many responses to our call for their success stories. To those students who shared their story but are not featured above, we offer our heartfelt thanks and a hearty congratulations on your successes: psychology major Kaya DeAngelis (Reach Coastal ABA); criminology and psychology double major Hazel Fahey (All Points Licensed ABA); criminology and psychology double major Adam Ammirata (Bridgewater State Hospital).