Fitchburg State University has once again been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for supporting the upward social mobility of its students in the publication’s annual rankings of colleges and universities. In addition to being named among the best regional universities in the North and among the top public universities, Fitchburg State was ranked among the highest performing institutions in Massachusetts for social mobility. This category measures how well institutions succeed at enrolling and graduating economically disadvantaged students. “Recognition in social mobility goes to the heart of who we are as a university,” said Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge. “As a first-generation student myself, I know what it means to have access to an education that changes the course of your life. For 132 years, Fitchburg State has opened doors for students who might otherwise be left on the margins, and that mission continues with urgency and pride today. Our work is not just about degrees—it is about fueling opportunity, strengthening families, and shaping communities across the Commonwealth and beyond. These rankings affirm the momentum we are building, and they underscore our commitment to making sure higher education remains a powerful engine of equity and possibility.” U.S. News & World Report has published annual rankings of colleges and universities since 1983. Details on its methodology are available on the publication’s website.

Academics change lives. That’s the theme of this year’s Presidential Ambassadors Program at Fitchburg State University. The program fosters leadership development among students by providing unique opportunities to design and implement projects that strengthen communities. The Presidential Ambassadors Showcase will take place on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Hammond Hall Main Lounge from 4-5:30 p.m. "This showcase is more than a celebration of student projects; it is a reflection of who we are as a university," President Donna Hodge said. "Our Presidential Ambassadors embody the momentum and mission of Fitchburg State. They take the lessons learned in the classroom and bring them to life through service, leadership, and innovation. Their work reminds us that education is not only about personal achievement, but also about building stronger communities and opening doors for those who will follow. I am proud of the example they set and grateful for the energy and vision they bring to our campus and beyond." This event highlights the projects of President Hodge's Presidential Ambassadors, recognizes campus community contributions, and honors the transformative power of education. “The Presidential Ambassador Program exemplifies who we are at Fitchburg State,” said Dr. Christine Dee, Professor of History and Special Assistant to the President, who will supervise the ambassadors this year. “We love to learn, to build, and to move forward. The ambassadors combine their academic interests with project management skills to enact positive, meaningful change. Dr. Hodge empowers all students at Fitchburg State to chart their own educational path. This program is an example of the student-focused opportunities the president has created at the university.” This year’s Presidential Ambassadors are: Veronica Barton, Kole Broderick, Alexis DeSimone, Priscilla Fordjour, Geybrell Liriano, Sophia Moore, Sydney-Amelia Nortelus, Peter J. Norton, Alexis Sandmann, Reshawn Stewart, Aidan Thompson, Matthew Gill and Julia Arena. Arena and Gill are returning Presidential Ambassadors. “We are excited to work with these talented and diverse students,” said Dee. “Together, they are a powerful team that serves our campus with distinction.” At the State of the University Address to kick off the start of the year, President Hodge honored this year’s group of Presidential Ambassadors, who are bold representatives of the university’s spirit, service, and momentum, with green blazers. The Ambassadors volunteer at high-level campus and community events, they meet alumni and legislators, and they tour special guests around campus. They do it all with poise, humility, and a deep love for Fitchburg State. “These students represent the best of who we are and the best of where we’re going,” Hodge said.

The Richard Kerris Photography Exhibit 1.0 Opening Reception will take place at the Fiorentino Foyer and Sanders Hallway on Thursday, September 25, from 4-7 p.m. The Gallery is sectioned into three parts, each reflecting a style appropriate to the subjects and places captured. The three chapters are: Breath - "The movement between stillness and flight. Images that inhale and exhale with life." Poise - "The tension held in performance, where control and emotion intersect." Moment - "A captured instant suspended in time — fleeting, honest, and whole." Kerris, a 1983 alumnus, says that Fitchburg State holds a special place in his heart. “It was here that I was first encouraged to explore beyond the obvious—to take risks, to create,” Kerris said. “My internship filming music videos in Boston nightclubs lit the spark that grew into a production company and eventually carried me through careers at Pixar, Apple, Lucasfilm, and now NVIDIA. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to work at the intersection of media and technology, but it all began with the encouragement and faith of the faculty and friends at Fitchburg. To be invited back, decades later, to share my photography in Breath, Poise, and Moment feels like completing a circle—returning to the place where I first learned that with the right guidance, we are all meant to soar.” Kerris’ photography style is all about capturing emotions and creating lasting stories through his lens. “Whether it’s the raw energy of a live performance, the true essence of a portrait, or the breathtaking beauty of a landscape, I strive to go beyond the surface and capture the feeling of a moment,” he said. This exhibit is made possible by The Clementi Family Lecture Fund. Photo: A Richard Kerris photo of The Rolling Stones on tour in 2015.

As a first-generation college graduate, Eliezer Rivera knows all about the fears that high school students have about higher education, the college application process and the financial obligations of going to college. Rivera, a 2017 Fitchburg High graduate and two-time Fitchburg State University alumnus - completing degrees in 2021 and 2024 - parlayed his education into the biotech industry, then as a high school teacher and now as assistant director of admissions at Fitchburg State. “I am so excited for this role not because of the traditional admissions process, but because of the presence and impact it will have on the local students and community, being a Worcester County and Fitchburg kid myself,” said Rivera, who earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s in educational leadership and management. “I understand how hard, challenging and scary that process can be for first generation and low-income students, having been one myself.” Rivera worked in biotech for several years before becoming a science and math teacher at St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School in Fitchburg. Now, at Fitchburg State, he hopes to be a helpful resource to high school students looking to attend college and helping their families fully navigate and understand that higher education is a real possibility, regardless of obstacles they think might stand in the way. Rivera’s coverage area will be centered around the city, including Fitchburg High, Sizer, St. Bernard’s and Monty Tech, but including area towns of Lunenburg and Leominster, extending from Gardner to Littleton. But Rivera will have direct contact with students at Fitchburg High with an office inside his alma mater. “I’m excited to have space in Fitchburg High,” Rivera said. “Being from the same background of the majority of the Fitchburg Public Schools – being low income, first generation, Hispanic/Latino male, I think with that I experienced a lot of miscommunications and a lot of language-barrier issues on my parent’s behalf that did affect how I went to college and my brother. My brother didn’t go to college because he wasn’t informed on the dynamics of the college application process. My parents never went to college, so he ended up having issues with his financial aid and he was not able to go, so he ended up joining the military and his professional career looks a lot different than what he thought it would look at the end of high school. “Having experienced that and seeing it firsthand in my household, I want to be that bridge that brings Fitchburg State and Fitchburg High together,” he said. Pam McCafferty, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success, said the university is very fortunate to have Rivera back on campus and serving in this important role. “He brings such a wealth of experience and commitment to the community and students that he serves,” McCafferty said. “Additionally, having a dedicated office space within Fitchburg High School will allow Eli to be an accessible resource for students as they navigate their college decision journey. We’re thrilled to have him on the team recruiting the next generation of Falcons.” Rivera fully understands that there are so many questions and worries during the college process. “Whether it’s a lack of communication, understanding or presence, that puts a limit on youths’ minds and it causes them to think that they can not be one of those people, or that another path is better,” Rivera said. “It almost causes them to turn away from education.” Rivera is all about sharing information, building trust and opening up the lines of communication to help educate students and families about higher education. “I want to connect and ease their worries about the college application process, affordability and what that looks like long term,” said Rivera, who said Victor Rojas from Fitchburg High’s GearUp program was that person for him when he was in high school. “It’s not as scary as it all seems. There is financial support out there to make college affordable. I think a lot of the miscommunication is from the financial aspect of it.” Rivera, 26, was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He moved to Fitchburg when he was 2 years old, but moved back to Puerto Rico in the fifth grade up until his sophomore year. “There was a language barrier because I was not fluent in Spanish,” Rivera said. He eventually moved back home to Fitchburg – on Day Street, a short walk from Hammond Hall – and graduated from high school and then college in Fitchburg. “I knew I had to consistently challenge myself if I wanted to be able to do great things and succeed,” he said. The passion to help has always been in Rivera’s heart. “I want to motivate and inspire them to do something better with their lives and make the most of the opportunities their parents are giving them,” he said. “I want to be a role model for those students. I know where they come from and what it looks like, so being able to show them that if they take advantage of an opportunity being given to them, their life can look different.” Rivera said his comprehensive education at Fitchburg State was life-changing. “It gave me an opportunity that a lot of people don’t get,” he said. “It gave my life a type of direction where I wanted to go. It changed my perspective on education. It was an opportunity to become a lifelong learner. It’s been the best investment that I’ve been able to make in my life,” he said. “Education changed my life in all ways from being a student, a leader, to being a husband and a father, and setting that standard in all areas of my life.”

Pride filled Weston Auditorium on the Fitchburg State University campus on Friday, as the university held the graduation of its latest police academy cohort, almost all of whom have been hired by municipal police departments across Massachusetts. The 8th Recruit Officer Course (ROC) members proudly completed the groundbreaking police program that blends academic and tactical training, allowing graduates to complete both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, along with full certification to work in municipal police departments in just five years. The program was developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Commission (MPTC). Class leader Brody Tapply reminded all his classmates of how far they’ve come in this journey and everything they’ve learned throughout this process. “I want you all to take a moment and reflect on who you were walking onto this campus four years ago,” said Tapply. “I want you to remember all of the late night studying, endless exams, and numerous qualifications. In the moments that you thought it would never end, look at us now. I want you to continue to be the best version of yourself not only for you, but for your communities, your departments, and your families. Do not forget to hold onto everything you have learned. Take this mentality, and continue to pursue anything and everything in your future. Always keep yourself accountable, and put your full heart and effort into everything you do.” Tapply told his classmates that there will definitely be hard days as a police officer. “During those times, remember everything you have put into where you are right now, and why you are who you are,” he said. “Without the structure we received as a class, it is impossible to think that we would be where we are today.” The 8th ROC didn’t accomplish this journey alone, however. “The dream, and goal that we have accomplished, would not have been made possible without (Academy) Director (Ola) Wysocki, our drill instructors, physical training staff, and the family and friends joining us today.” Tapply made sure to credit Wysocki for her “continuous devotion to our class, and the entire police program, is wholeheartedly special.” He continued: “Your passion for making sure we become the best versions of ourselves, does not go unnoticed. Day in and day out, you made sure that we stepped into the right direction, and constantly supported us towards our goals. Without your devotion, we would not be who we are today. Thank you for going above and beyond, to guide us, educate us, and move us towards our ultimate goal.” Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge also addressed the graduates and guests. “This academy is more than a program,” Hodge said. “It is a promise. A promise that public higher education and public safety can work hand in hand. A promise that innovation and integrity can meet in the same training ground. A promise that Massachusetts can lead the nation in preparing those who serve and protect. “And today, we fulfill that promise through you—graduates who have proven yourselves across your undergraduate degrees and the past seventeen weeks of relentless challenge,” Hodge said. “You studied. You trained. You endured. You met every test of character, discipline, and resolve. And now you stand ready to take the oath not only as officers, but as guardians.” The president thanked the families in attendance for making sacrifices for their loved ones, and to the chiefs and departments for hiring these new graduates. “And to our graduates—this is your day,” Hodge said. “From this day forward, the responsibility you carry is immense. The authority you hold is profound. And the example you set will help shape not just the safety of our streets, but the trust of our communities, and the strength of our democracy. We are proud to call you graduates of Fitchburg State University. We are grateful for your service. And we are hopeful for the future you will help build. Be safe. Serve with honor. Lead with heart. Let the momentum of this achievement carry you forward into a career of service and distinction. And know that today, and always, you carry the confidence of this university and this Commonwealth.” Wysocki recounted when the 8th ROC began their academy training on May 19, and the successes and setbacks of the ensuing 17 weeks. A weekly tradition for the class was her Friday speech about making “good decisions” over the weekend. Now, Wysocki is asking each new officer to make good decisions with their time, energy and work. “The most valuable commodities you have are your time and ability to be kind,” she said. “Let me say that again, your most valuable commodities are your time and kindness. Be generous with both. Make time for family and friends, especially when you feel like you have no time. Do not get sucked into living to work, and when you inevitably do, change your priorities. Lead with kindness, whenever tactically feasible. If you want to change the world, start by being the kind of officer you will want for your family. “Do not worry about the apparent effect you have on the world, be diligent in doing the best you can in all circumstances,” she said. “We have given you a firm foundation, now it is up to you to hone your craft. I hope you all feel a sense of accomplishment, and a feeling of knowing yourselves better than you did 17 weeks ago. Never forget where you come from, and if you do, we are always here to remind you.” University Police Chief Michael Cloutier said the oath these graduates have taken is about more than just enforcing laws; it's a promise to be in service to others and to develop meaningful relationships with their communities. “Our hope is that each of them will be the person who stops to talk to children in the park, or knows the local business owners by name,” Cloutier said. “Because that is where true trust begins, and it's the most powerful tool they will ever have.” State Rep. Michael A. Kushmerek – a two-time Fitchburg State alum – MPTC Director of Training Andrea Nardone, and Fitchburg Mayor Samantha Squailia were also in attendance. The members of the 8th ROC and the departments that have hired them include Class Leader Brody Tapply of Lunenburg (Lunenburg Police Department), First Squad Leader Adam Bourgault of Fitchburg (Fitchburg Police Department), Joshua DiPersio of Tyngsboro (Chelmsford Police Department), Kyle Dupuis of Hopedale (Hopedale Police Department), Julia Marsell of Holliston (not hired yet), Colin Bozek of Tewksbury (not hired yet), Thomas Farr of Princeton (Littleton Police Department), Second Squad Leader Kayla Forbes of Marshfield (Rockland Police Department), Shea Lucontoni of Newburyport (Newburyport Police Department), Asha Speller of Tewksbury (Tewksbury Police Department), Owen Williams of Westminster (Ashburnham Police Department), Shane Bissanti of Franklin (Walpole Police Department), and Christopher Black of Gardner (Gardner Police Department). Class Awards: Academic Achievement Award – Julia Marsell Physical Training Achievement Award – Thomas Farr Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Award – Shane Bissanti Firearms Training (“Top Gun”) Award – Brody Tapply Rifle Training (“Top Gun”) Award – Shea Lucontoni 100 Percent Award – Brody Tapply Click to read in-depth magazine profiles on Tapply, Forbes, Farr and Bourgault. To learn more about the police program, please visit https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/programs/police-program-41-con… Watch the FATV recording of the ceremony.