Recapping the 2025-26 Academic Year
This year, Greyhounds…
Thrived inside the classroom and beyond. From current students doing innovative research and creating advertising campaigns for regional brands, to alumni attending prestigious graduate schools and changing the world through service, Greyhounds achieved great things this year.
We welcomed the Class of 2029 on Friday, August 22. But those students weren’t the only ones starting something new—three former Academic Support Center tutors returned to teach at Assumption, too.
In the fall semester, Grenon School of Business students studied how artificial intelligence will impact their careers and how to use AI tools to their benefit once they graduate.
Nathan Avery ’26 led members of the cybersecurity club on a trip to a security summit to see Professor Selvan Snow and Rob Russell ’25 give a presentation on the future of the cybersecurity workforce.
Students in Professor Shahara Drew’s English 130 course used their persuasive writing skills to suggest changes on campus—and one of those projects, a renovation of the varsity weight room proposed by Michael DiFelice ’27, came to fruition.
Ashton Grant ’19 took on a new role that brought him from Salisbury Street to Super Bowl LX: quarterbacks coach for the New England Patriots.
Assumption’s first class of physician assistant students took part in hands-on trauma training with the United States Army as part of their general surgery course.
Jill McSorley ’26 let her love of uncovering stories lead the way to an internship with the Worcester Business Journal, covering industry news for New England’s second largest city and all of Central Massachusetts.
In March, the Grenon School of Business hosted a salon on artificial intelligence, bringing together community members and industry experts for a candid discussion about AI’s influence on education, work, and society.
Students in the Honors and Core Texts and Enduring Questions (CTEQ) programs spent spring break in London, exploring architecture and history with Professor Rachel Coleman.
In the spring, students in the Grenon School had opportunities to pitch their own startup company to local investors at the WooTank Intercollegiate Showdown—and ended up winning an investment to make their vision a reality.
Students in Professor Kevin Peterssen’s Community Tax Assistance course had a first-hand experience of what it’s like to be an accountant during tax season by helping elderly and low-income individuals in Worcester prepare and file their tax returns.
Hosted Distinguished Guests
In September, Assumption welcomed Rabbi Meir Soloveichik and Dr. Matthew Tapie for the annual Rabbi Joseph Klein lecture on Catholic-Jewish friendship 60 years after the publication of Nostra Aetate.
Over the span of two days in October, the cast and crew of a major-motion picture codenamed “Cheesesteak” turned Salisbury Street into Sunset Boulevard, and hundreds of Greyhounds were able to take part in real-life movie magic. Hollywood star—and Massachusetts native—Mark Wahlberg was on site for the filming alongside co-star Indie DesRoches.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin visited the University in March for a conversation with President Greg Weiner on her bestselling book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.
Received National Recognition
Assumption was named to a number of prestigious rankings lists this year, including the Princeton Review’s Best 391 Colleges for 2026, Money’s 2025 Best Colleges in America List, and U.S. News & World Report’s Best University list, ranking in the top 50 for Best Universities and top 15% for Best Value among regional universities in the north.
The University’s traditional four-year nursing program posted a 100% passing rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN ®), exceeding the first-time national average of 87.1%.
TheRehabilitation Counseling Program was awarded $3M in major grants from the Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration, providing funding for students to pursue master’s degrees in rehab counseling.
In addition, the Clinical Counseling Psychology Program received the Award for Outstanding Training Program by the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy (ABCT), a leading national professional organization for practitioners of cognitive behavioral therapy.
For the 15th year in a row, Assumption’s athletic department received the NCAA Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence. Assumption is one of seven schools in Division II to have won the award for all fifteen years that it has been in existence.
The French Institute was awarded a Major Initiative Award from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, an arm of the United States National Archives.
Welcomed New Leaders and Celebrated Faculty Promotions
To begin the new academic year, Laura Nicole Miller, assistant professor of organizational communications, was appointed Director of Graduate Business Programs.
In January, Alice Nderitu, former United Nations Under Secretary General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and a globally renowned expert in peace building and conflict transformation, joined Assumption as the inaugural fellow at the Center for Civic Friendship.
In May, Chad Rohman, a distinguished academic leader, scholar, and dean at Dominican University in Illinois, was appointed Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Lauren Haynie joined Assumption in January as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, returning to the University after serving as Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Medicine from 2004-2006. She brings with her more than two decades of experience in higher education.
Luis Melgar joined the community as the new Director of Campus Ministry, bringing a wealth of experience from previous Catholic institutions.
In the fall semester, seven professors were promoted, and ten were welcomed to the Assumption community. In the spring semester, two professors were granted tenure.
Launched New Programs and Partnerships
In September, a new partnership with Vermont Law and Graduate School was announced, allowing students to pursue an accelerated path to earning a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or master’s degree in law, policy, or government regulation.
Assumption also announced a partnership with Fontbonne, the Early College of Boston, providing students with scholarship opportunities and deeper insight into the college application process.
In November, Assumption announced the brand-new Rise Scholarship, celebrating students who have demonstrated determination, growth, and promise in their high school careers, along with the continuation of the Access Promise, providing Pell Grant-eligible students from Massachusetts the opportunity to attend Assumption tuition-free.
Assumption and Worcester Public Schools partnered to help more students access Catholic liberal education and continue in the shared endeavor of preparing students for lives of meaning and success.
In April, the University announced that it is developing plans to expand its offerings for students interested in careers in the sports industry, with help from an alumni advisory group with experience across professional sports, global brands, collegiate athletics, and sports media.
Assumption and Worcester Polytechnic Institute announced the expansion of their partnership with the launch of a new Collaborative Accelerated Master’s Program (CAMP) in Mechanical Engineering, offering Assumption students a streamlined pathway to earn a master’s degree from WPI.
Assumption and Anna Maria College announced their intent to submit a joint proposal to relevant regulatory agencies to transition Anna Maria’s nursing program to Assumption.
Won on the Field
In December, head women’s basketball coach Kerry Phayre led the team to a special win over Southern New Hampshire University—her 500th as head coach.
The field hockey team went to the NCAA Division II tournament for the sixth-straight year in November.
The men’s ice hockey team won their second NE10 Conference Championship in three seasons in March.
The women’s tennis team made history this year, heading to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time in program history.
In May, the softball team became the record-ninth Assumption team to qualify for NCAA tournaments this year. They then became the first Assumption softball team to advance to the NCAA Division II Super Regional.
Honored New and Enduring Traditions
Early in the academic year, Charlie’s Snack Bar and the Hagan Campus Center celebrated a grand re-opening after summer renovations.
Assumption’s first cohort of accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing (ABSN) students officially graduated on September 5.
Nurses in the Class of 2027 had their hands ceremonially blessed in September, before they began their clinical rotations in the fall semester.
The Physician Assistant Class of 2028, the second cohort of students in the program, were welcomed officially with a White Coat Ceremony in January.
Assumption once again hosted the Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast alongside Quinsigamond Community College.
In February, Assumption hosted its fourth annual Ecumenical Worship Service, an evening grounded in music, scripture, fellowship, and a shared commitment to hope.
For the 22nd year, Assumption and Professor Brian Niece hosted the Massachusetts Science Olympiad for middle school students on campus, bringing science alumni back to Salisbury Street to help shape future scientists.
Duck Day was held on April 21, welcoming the beloved Assumption ducks back to the pond for the spring after a long winter.
Also in April, Assumption marked a significant milestone in its commitment to student success with the dedication of the Dick ’69 and Maria Denecker Career Development and Internship Center (CDIC).
Concluding an exciting academic year, on Sunday, May 17, 304 students in the Class of 2026 received their diplomas.