Meet Our Students

Find out what some Suffolk University students have to say about how they like going to school here and what they like to do around the city of Boston.

Alessandra (Ali) Rera

Hometown: Danville, NH
Major/Minor: Biology major with a concentration in Health and English minor
Class: 2025

Clubs and Organizations: Alternative Spring Break, CAS Honors Program, Pinky Swear Pack, Program Council, RAMP Mentorship Program, Women’s Advocacy Club, Trustee Ambassador for the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Favorite Boston Spot: The Boston Common Frog Pond.

What’s one thing people should know about Boston? There is so much to see and do, and public transportation makes it super easy to explore the whole city!

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure? Karaoke nights with friends!

What is your passion? Science, especially Biology

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk? Suffolk is truly in the center of Boston, surrounded by so many cool spots like the Boston Commons, Chinatown and the North End. Suffolk also holds many fun events on campus every week, so there is always something new to do here, whether on or off campus!

How has Suffolk surprised you? There are so many different types of students here at Suffolk, and I was surprised by how quickly I met such a great group of positive and inspiring friends, as well as continuing to meet new people every day!

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): Making a “Penguin PJs” themed Holiday card with my friends on our floor of Miller Hall!

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Alessandra (Ali) Rera

Anna Plumb

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Major/Minor: Entrepreneurship Major and Business Law Minor
Class: 2024

Clubs and Organizations: SBS Honors Program, President of Entrepreneurship Club, Off-Campus Chair of Program Council, Member of Photography Club, Career Ambassador for the Suffolk Career Center, Study Abroad, and Trustee Ambassador for the Undergraduate Admissions Office

Favorite Boston Spot: Fenway Park and Downtown Crossing.

What’s one thing people should know about Boston? Boston is a college city! There are so many awesome people to meet at neighboring colleges in Boston.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure? True Crime Shows.

What is your passion? Finding the positive in every situation and exploring the world/different cultures.

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk? There are so many clubs and organizations to be a part of and a great group of student to meet! All my closest friends I met at Suffolk were from clubs or working together on campus. Don’t be afraid to say hi to students and faculty on campus!

How has Suffolk surprised you? Boston really is our campus! Suffolk uses the city of Boston to support their students and explore so many amazing opportunities!

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): Winning the Audience Choice Award in the Entrepreneurship Department’s Spring 2022 Pitch Competition! 

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Cait VanAuken

Hometown: Annandale, New Jersey
Major/Minor: Marketing
Class: 2026

Clubs and Organizations: Suffolk University Legal Association

Favorite Boston Spot: Dinos in the North End

What’s one thing people should know about Boston?: Everyone in Boston, LOVES Boston. It’s amazing to be surrounded by people who are so proud of and love their city so much. It makes living here so enjoyable.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. Only the green kind though.

What is your passion?: I love everything in fashion, from design to the business end of it. I really enjoy sewing and making really unique articles of clothing that I know no one else has.

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk?: The low student to professor ratio gives Suffolk students an advantage and opportunity to get to know their professors personally and build relationships which gives us students a better Undergrad experience.

How has Suffolk surprised you?: The location of Suffolk makes EVERTHING in Boston so accessible so learning how to get around and exploring the city is so much easier to do while keeping classes a priority.

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): Meeting some of my best friends and building such a strong bond with them.

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Cait Vanauken

Catherine Madden

Hometown: Milford
Major: Entrepreneurship
Class: 2025

Clubs and Organizations: Women’s Soccer, Women’s indoor track, Women’s outdoor track

Favorite Boston Spot: Long Wharf

What’s one thing people should know about Boston?: It’s not as scary as it seems

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Reading romances

What is your passion?: Helping other people and laughing

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk?: The professors are great and the school has a lot to offer

How has Suffolk surprised you?: I thought I would need more time to feel at home, but the people made me feel welcome so much faster.

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): Playing my sports in college

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Catherine Madden

Bridget Daggett

Hometown: Andover, MA
Major/Minor: Studio Arts
Class: 2024

Clubs and Organizations: College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program and Trustee Ambassador for the Undergraduate Admissions Office

Favorite Boston Spot: The Boston Common, MFA, getting boba in Chinatown and the Waterfront!

What’s one thing people should know about Boston?: You will never be bored, there’s always something going on in Boston AND even going on walks through the Gardens and Common is so amazing and entertaining!

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Getting boba in Chinatown, it’s so close and easy to get it every day-can be dangerous for my bank account! But it’s always worth it!

What is your passion?: I love creating art and using it as a way to connect with others. I love to create paintings, paint on clothes, and sketch people! I love using more than just paint too and creating a piece with multiple medias!

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk?: The people here want you to succeed. The professors and staff and close friends you’ll make will support you to succeed and do your best. I have been pushed to my best and have discovered skills I didn’t even know I had.

How has Suffolk surprised you?: Suffolk has helped me find myself and my love for art. I’ve learned in pursuing a career in art to not only discover what I love but find ways to incorporate that in my studies. I’ve also been surprised by how many opportunities I have had, including being able to try so many different clubs and activities.

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): A highlight I have had at Suffolk so far definitely has to be when I was able to put my work up in the Art Gallery we have at Suffolk. Having the chance to present my work in a professional setting was something I’ve always wanted to do. My friends and family were so excited and wanted to see the gallery as well, which was an amazing experience.

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Elsa Edgar

Hometown: Manchester, NH
Major/Minor: Broadcast journalism and Public Relations Double Major
Class: 2024

Clubs and Organizations: Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, Global Gateway, and Trustee Ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Favorite Boston Spot: Boston Public Garden

What’s one thing people should know about Boston?: You can never be bored in this city, there is so much to do and so many opportunities! There is something for everyone!

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Watching Keeping up with the Kardashians

What is your passion?: I am not sure yet, still looking for it

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk?: There is always help around, just ask if you need it! I found out that there was on campus free tutoring, and it has been the best experience for me, I normally go about once a week and everyone there is amazing!

How has Suffolk surprised you?: I wasn’t sure if college was the right fit for me, so when I came to Suffolk, I was skeptical. Turns out, Suffolk is for me! I have loved attending school here and being part of the Suffolk community.

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): There are many highlights, too many to list! For sure meeting great lifelong friends. Another would be being able to attend all the Red Sox playoff games!

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Irene Kirabo

Hometown: Lowell, MA
Major/Minor: Major: Law major with a minor in Philosophy
Class: 2025

Clubs and Organizations: Black Student Union, ASA, HAFA, SULA, CAS Honors Program, RAMP, Suffolk Law Scholars Program, Commuters Club, SGA, Asian American Association

Favorite Boston Spot: Downtown

What’s one thing people should know about Boston?: It is full of opportunities.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: I do not have one.

What is your passion?: My passion is advocacy and helping those who are in need. I am pursuing a career as a criminal litigator. I want to use my law degree to help African Americans fight the injustices in the American justice system as well as help advocate for those that are not able to advocate for themselves. I want to help people know their rights so one takes advantage of them. Currently, I am working as a Legal Assistant at a law firm where I get to practice my passion.

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk?: There is always a program or someone to assist you with any help you might need. For instance, throughout my education math has never been my strong suit. Nevertheless, I did my best and always got good grades. Here at Suffolk, I did my best in math but I still needed help understanding the information. Therefore, I received free tutoring from my professor and I utilized the free tutoring drop in hours inside the 73 Tremont Building. These free tutoring sessions are hosted by the Center for Learning and Academic Success. They are available by appointments or you can utilize the drop-in hours like me.

How has Suffolk surprised you?: Its extensive programs and services. I am not a breakfast person but as someone who commutes from far I rarely have time for breakfast anyway. Despite this, I often need a snack or something to eat before and in between classes. Thus, I have been going to the Coffee Hour hosted by Suffolk’s Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion. The coffee hour is basically free breakfast in Sawyer every Thursday morning. They have bagels, coffee, juice, snacks and some candy.

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): The staff and students are always eager to lend a helping hand. During my first semester at Suffolk, I met Lindsay who is an awesome person that works in the Suffolk Student Involvement Office. She immediately saw me and engaged in a conversation with me. Being new to Suffolk I did not know much about the community and Lindsay made my 18th birthday memorable. She gave me suggestions of great ways to spend it in Boston such as a picnic at the Boston Public Garden, a walk through Boston Common etc. In another instance, Sonia, a reference librarian in the 73 Tremont Sawyer Library has been a great aid to me. Sonia who is now a good friend of mine has helped me with my research projects and informed me of events and opportunities geared towards my passion.

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Jack McDonnell

Hometown: Wallingford, CT
Major/Minor: Criminal Justice Major and Psychology Minor
Class: 2025

Clubs and Organizations: RA for 2022-23 Academic Year, Member of Suffolk Men’s Basketball Team, Trustee Ambassador for Suffolk University Admissions Office

Favorite Boston Spot: Fenway Park and TD Garden. Boston Common and Faneuil Hall on nice weekends and in the evenings. Lopresti Park in East Boston at sunset.

What’s one thing people should know about Boston?: The city is a playground. Don’t hesitate to explore everything the city has to offer.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Re-watching movies I have already seen before over and over again.

What is your passion?: To help people who are afforded the privilege and opportunity that I am, get equal opportunities and equal liberties.

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk?: Suffolk is totally unique from every other school in Boston. The city is your campus. Every dorm is within a 5-minute walk of a T station that can take you anywhere in the city you want to go.

How has Suffolk surprised you?: The involvement and activity of the student body has surprised me most about Suffolk. Given the number of students who do not live on campus, the student body is so involved in a variety of clubs, extracurricular activities and sports throughout the school.

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): Our home playoff Men’s Basketball game in the CCC tournament this past February. It felt like the entire student body was in attendance and the gym was at full capacity. It was an awesome environment.

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Kat Carlson

Hometown: Hanson, MA
Major/Minor: International Relations
Class: 2024

Clubs and Organizations: President of Alpha Sigma Alpha

Favorite Boston Spot: Charles River Esplanade

What’s one thing people should know about Boston?: It’s an amazing city to meet people and network within your field! There are so many opportunities to learn and grow here that you never would have thought of before.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Constantly going to Flour Bakery. They have the best pumpkin spice lattes in Boston and it’s a great place to catch up with friends.

What is your passion?: Meeting/ connecting with new people and helping others.

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk?: It has an amazing on campus community despite being in the heart of the city. You definitely get the best of both worlds.

How has Suffolk surprised you?: I never thought I would go to college so close to home, but all of the opportunities Suffolk has for my career and socially on campus have helped me grow in ways I couldn’t imagine.

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): Successfully planning events on and off campus for the student body to enjoy + meeting lifelong friends.

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Kat Carlson

Jailene Colón

Hometown: Providence, RI
Major/Minor: Political Science with a concentration in Public Policy & Law
Class: 2024

Clubs and Organizations: Work Study position at the Student Affairs Office and a Trustee Ambassador for the Undergraduate Admissions Office

Favorite Boston Spot: The Commons and Mooyah

What’s one thing people should know about Boston? It’s busy, busy, busy! Boston is the city where you’ll see people anywhere and everywhere. Begin to get used to the idea that you’ll be surrounded by tourists, other students, professionals and native Bostonians everywhere you go; people are usually super friendly and helpful though - don't get intimidated!

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure? The show Friends and strawberry ice cream. That combo is dangerous.

What is your passion? I want to be able to provide people with opportunities they never even thought of having access to before. Being able to help others succeed and get out of tough situations is something I see myself doing.

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk? You’re never alone at Suffolk. There is literally an entire club, office, organization or even friend group that’s readily available to help and support you in any way possible.

How has Suffolk surprised you? Suffolk has surprised me in many ways, but I think it has mostly surprised me regarding its history. I’m a history geek and truly was not expecting the role that Suffolk’s creation and reputation would have on Boston and even Massachusetts history.

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far):  Truly would have to be the academics. I take my education super seriously. I transferred high schools at one point because I didn’t think I was learning enough. Suffolk challenges me in ways that I never thought possible. I genuinely am interested in the classes I am taking and am learning in every lecture/lesson. The professors are outstanding, and I appreciate how dedicated they are to their work.

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Jailene Colon

Liam McManus

Hometown: Cheshire, CT
Major/Minor: Marketing major with a concentration in Sports Marketing
Class: 2024

Clubs and Organizations: Trustee Ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Favorite Boston Spot: The Commons or El Jefes Taqueria.

What’s one thing people should know about Boston? Boston has so many different things to offer all around the city and even outside of the city. Embrace everything that is unusual while you’re here and don’t be afraid of new experiences.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure? Shopping either online or in person.

What is your passion? My passions are playing hockey, learning new skills, and music!

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk? Suffolk is such a welcoming school, and you shouldn’t be afraid to do anything here at Suffolk! A lot of the time the person sitting next to you in class might be feeling how you’re feeling! Don’t be afraid to talk to that person and don’t be afraid to explore everything Suffolk has to offer for you!

How has Suffolk surprised you? Coming from a smaller school where the ratio was usually 10 students to 1 professor, I was worried that I’d lose that connection that I had with professors at that school. But I’m happy to say that it surprised me when I saw the professors making a large effort to make sure that connection is there with students.

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): All the different programs that the Program Council has put on so far! I was able to meet other transfers and non-transfers while I was there!

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Liam McManus

Lily Wilson

Hometown: Westborough, MA
Major/Minor: Undeclared
Class: 2025

Clubs and Organizations: Asian American Association, Teaching Assistant, and Trustee Ambassador for Suffolk University Admissions Office

Favorite Boston Spot: The Boston Commons

What’s one thing people should know about Boston?: The city is so windy!

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Netflix. I am currently watching House of Cards.

What is your passion?: Spending time with friends & family.

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk?: Taking initiative will bring you far and Suffolk will support you along the way.

How has Suffolk surprised you?: Suffolk’s continuous efforts to ensure and uphold diversity and inclusion in their community has surprised me.

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): Meeting amazing people through the various clubs and programs Suffolk has.

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Logan Gozzi

Hometown: Natick, MA
Major/Minor: Law Major 
Class: 2024

Clubs and Organizations: President of Ski & Snowboard Club, Events Coordinator for Outing Club, Student Government Association, Suffolk University Legal Association, Bowling Club, Environmental Club, Trustee Ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Favorite Boston Spot: Exploring George’s & Spectacle Islands in Boston Harbor.

What’s one thing people should know about Boston? There’s always somewhere new to explore, unique food to try, memories to make, history to learn, and so many opportunities for other new experiences. So, definitely take advantage of everything the city has to offer.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure? Burrito bowls from Chipotle

What is your passion? My passion is Skiing. I love to ski any chance I get, and I’ve been shredding since I was 7 years old. I raced slalom in high school for 4 years too and used to snowboard too.

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk? How kind and accepting everyone truly is on campus. Everyone here is very passionate about what they do, and you can tell that just by how happy and driven everyone is. Whether it be students, staff, or faculty we all strive to ensure that everyone feels supported and allow the campus atmosphere to feel like you’re truly a part of our Ramily!

How has Suffolk surprised you? Just how easy it is to build relationships. Since our class sizes are small, all my professors know me by name, and makes you feel like a real student and not just a number. Living on campus in the heart of Downtown Boston my first two years not only helped me make friends at Suffolk but also allowed me to make friends with students at nearby schools as well! 

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): The highlight of my Suffolk experience so far has definitely been starting the Ski & Snowboard Club. Getting this club started and now running it as President has been an extremely rewarding and fun experience! There have been some challenges at times but there are so many resources here at Suffolk to help you out when you need it.

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Martin Wyndham IV

Hometown: Berkley, Massachusetts
Major/Minor: Undergraduate Law
Class: 2025

Clubs and Organizations: College of Arts and Sciences Honors program, Law Scholar, and Trustee Ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Favorite Boston Spot: The North End, especially Bova’s!

What’s one thing people should know about Boston?: There is so much to do in the city, take advantage of it, explore, and experience as much of it as you can

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Ben and Jerrys ice cream

What is your passion?: Helping lead and mentor others to give back as others have done for me.

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk?: It is a phenomenal school for any program you wish to study in one of the best parts of Boston.

How has Suffolk surprised you?: Despite some of my classes being on the larger side (at least for Suffolk classes) my professors still made an effort to get to know me and would go out of their way to assist in any way they could from help with the course to a letter of recommendation.

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): Being in the heart of Boston surrounded by tons of opportunities and getting to experience the city compared to the town I grew up in.

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Martin Wyndham

Quang Nghiem

Hometown: Hanoi, Vietnam
Major/Minor: Entrepreneurship major and Real Estate minor
Class: 2023

Clubs and Organizations: Trustee Ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Favorite Boston Spot: Newbury Street and Prudential Center

What’s one thing people should know about Boston?: Riding the T is actually faster than taking a cab!

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Constantly scrolling Instagram reels late at night.

What is your passion?: I want to be able to learn new things and knowledge from others around me. The world is a huge place, you are never too young or old to learn new skills.

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk?: The people around us are very friendly, try to ask them a few things and be open-minded. You won’t know what’s around the corner until you walk there!

How has Suffolk surprised you?: Coming from a different continent thousands of miles away I thought adapting to a new culture was going to be a problem for me. But, the truth was everyone was so friendly and welcoming. I consider Suffolk to be my 2nd home. I’ve built up so many relationships in my time at Suffolk and I consider them to be priceless.

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): Became besties with my freshman roommate, made new connections and achieving Dean’s List.

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Quang Nghiem

Reegan O’Brien

Hometown: Wakefield, MA
Major/Minor: Major: Political Science Major
Class: 2024

Clubs and Organizations: Suffolk Votes Ambassador, Trustee Ambassador for the
Undergraduate Admissions Office, CAS Honors Program, CAS Honors Ambassador, Suffolk University Legal Association, Theta Phi Alpha sorority, Rammython

Favorite Boston Spot: Boston Public Garden

What’s one thing people should know about Boston?: You will be doing a lot of walking! One of the great things about Boston is how walkable it is, though you will definitely need a good pair of sneakers to get across the city.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Unnecessary Target trips

What is your passion?: Finding the good in all situations.

What’s one thing people should know about Suffolk?: Suffolk’s professors are so passionate about helping students, both academically and personally. I have been able to build relationships with many of my professors due to the small class sizes at Suffolk, which have extended outside of class into meetings during office hours, chats in elevators, and countless emails late at night.

How has Suffolk surprised you?: I thought that it would be difficult to get involved on campus and meet new people because Suffolk doesn’t have a defined campus, but I have found just the opposite. Even as a transfer student, I have been able to get involved in countless organizations across campus, where I have been able to meet so many people. Additionally, Suffolk’s activities period on Tuesdays and Thursdays makes it very easy for all students to get involved, whether they are a residential student or not.

Highlight of your Suffolk experience (so far): Working with the team of Suffolk Votes Ambassadors to help Suffolk students register to vote! In the Fall 2022 semester, we reached over 1000 students through classroom visits, in which we emphasized the importance of voting, answered students’ questions, and helped them through the process of registering to vote.

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Reegan O'Brien