mission driven
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fall 2025
Photographs courtesy of alumni
"Suffolk’s deep commitment to its students, alumni, and community are what inspire me to give, both through time and treasure. I would encourage alumni to support Suffolk in whatever capacity they are able to. Not everyone is in a position to write a multifigure check, but someone may be able to mentor a student, provide a job-shadow or internship opportunity, or volunteer as a guest speaker in a class. There are so many meaningful ways for alumni to contribute to Suffolk and pay it forward. I know how meaningful it is for students and how much it is appreciated by the University.”
Dannielle JONES-PINSON, BA ’15, MPA ’17
There is strength in numbers. A total of 65 Suffolk alumni now volunteer their time on the University’s alumni boards and councils, serving as important liaisons between the on-campus community in Boston and the 90,000-plus graduates across the US and around the world. One of their responsibilities is to encourage alumni to commit their time, talent, and “treasure” to the University, and there is no more powerful way to do this than by setting an example themselves—a truly remarkable one in fact.For nine straight years, the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), the Sawyer Business School (SBS), and Suffolk University Law School Alumni Boards as well as the Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Council have achieved 100% giving participation by their members. Here, current representatives from each group share why they support Suffolk, why they believe it’s important for alumni to give back, and what they hope the impact of their philanthropy will be.
Assistant Vice President, Client and Community Relations, PNC BANK
College of Arts & Sciences Alumni Board Member, 2020–2021 10 Under 10 Honoree, Summa Society Member
"I am inspired to give back to Suffolk University because I have seen and experienced firsthand the power of a Suffolk education. I entered Suffolk as a first-year student with little confidence and no clear vision for my future. Thanks to the courses, faculty, extracurriculars, and my peers at Suffolk, I graduated full of confidence and certain that a career in public service was right for me. In the almost decade since I graduated, that passion for service has never dwindled, and I see that same passion in the countless alumni I engage with regularly.”
Colin Loiselle, BS ’16, MPS/MPA ’18
Town Manager, Town of Tyngsborough
Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Council President, Summa Society Member
"It has been truly rewarding for me to know that I can help students who are in the same circumstances I was in 30 years ago. And to know that I am helping to train future attorneys who can make a difference for someone else. I hope that I inspire students to think about giving back when they graduate and are able to do so. I also hope that students and alumni can understand that no one really succeeds 100% on their own. There is always someone along the way who helps, even if you don’t know them, so it’s important to give back as a way to pay it forward.”
Tina Nunes Ober, JD ’92
Managing Assistant District Attorney, Economic Crimes Unit, San Francisco District Attorney’s Office
Suffolk Law Alumni Board Member, Law Dean’s Cabinet Member, Summa Society Deans’ Circle Member
"I’m the first person in my immediate family to go to college. I see that a lot of my fellow alums are the same, and Suffolk really values that. It’s important to me to recognize what Suffolk gave to me. I’ve been privileged to advance in my career, and that really took off right after getting my degrees from Suffolk. I typically give to the Sawyer Business School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. I feel passionate about giving to scholarships that I know will directly help students to offset their expenses.”
Christopher Paglia, MBA & MSF ’14
Vice President, NE Safety, Health, and Assurance, National Grid
SAWYER BUSINESS SCHOOL ALUMNI BOARD MEMBER, MBA COUNCIL MEMBER, SUMMA SOCIETY MEMBER
By Kathleen Peets