Meet Christine Fitzpatrick, AMD’10! Beginning her career in the entertainment industry as a co-op for National Geographic, Christine recently had a “full-circle” moment by releasing her latest project, “Protecting Paradise: The Story of Niue”, through NatGeo. Tune in to learn more about Christine’s exciting Northeastern experience!
Stream Protecting Paradise: The Story of Niue on Hulu or Disney+
Link to Pristine Seas
Special thanks to Mike Barnaby ‘SSH 10 for his contributions to the “Protecting Paradise: The Story of Niue” project
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“I wanted a computer science program that is very solid in its foundation, very well-reputed, and at the same time, provides an excellent opportunity for getting a job,” says Dipanjan Haldar, MS’19, breaking down the criteria he used to select a master’s program. “Northeastern computer science is a top-rated program here in the United States, as well as across the globe.”
After earning his undergraduate degree in India, Haldar enrolled in the Khoury College of Computer Science to pursue his goal of becoming a software engineer. While there, he was granted a research apprenticeship with professor emeritus Ken Baclawski that focused on machine learning algorithms. “That was a great experience for me,” Haldar says with a smile. “Actually, my entire tenure at Northeastern was nothing short of being exceptional, I would say.”
In addition to his impactful research apprenticeship at Northeastern, Haldar also participated in a co-op at Everbridge, a software company in Burlington, Massachusetts—a role he was able to transition into a full-time position. “The co-op program at Northeastern is one of the best in the United States,” says Haldar. “It was my first experience working with a U.S. firm…I was able to accomplish all the assigned tasks at my co-op given the kind of subjects I took in my previous semester. They were happy with my performance, and that’s why when I graduated, they offered me a full-time position.”
During his co-op and full-time roles at Everbrudge, Haldar built a strong foundation in advanced software engineering principles. From there, he trasnitioned into his current position as the principal engineer and senior manager at Fideslity Investments in New Hampshire. Today, Haldar is recognized as one of the top contributors to API development and software development. Additionally, he likes to give back to the software engineering community in greater Boston by mentoring future members of his industry at MIT’s Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program and Gordon Engeineering Institute program—as well as through judging hackathons like HackMIT and the FLL World Championship.
Haldar continues to credit Northeastern for being the catalyst that accelerated his successful career in software engineering. “Northeastern gave me insights into theoretical computer science and the intricacies of how we should develop the concept of being a computer scientist. [At Northeastern], the door is open to anyone for opportunities and research. Northeastern has helped me a lot to get into these positions.”
Meet Jared Molton, AMD’10! After beginning his career as a professional magician and managing America’s oldest magic shop, Jared transitioned into the tech sphere and is now the vice president of consumer for Udacity. Learn more about his career transition, his favorite and most impactful class at Northeastern, and his memoir of his path from magician to tech executive.
Purchase a copy of “For My Next Trick”Register for classes on Udacity
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“My decision to pursue my Master of Science in human resource counseling with Northeastern, was driven by my interest in pursuing career advancement opportunities. I was working in human resources and recruiting at the time, and wanted to expand my knowledge” says Cheryl Haynes, MS’94 with a smile while reminiscing about her Northeastern experience. “It was quite helpful in allowing me to do that after completing my master’s degree.”
Haynes has had a long and illustrious career working in human resources—for over two decades, she held leadership positions in the corporate HR sector of prominent companies like State Street Bank, CVS, MetLife, and Citizens Bank. Currently, she runs her own coaching and consulting practice, Achievementor LLC, that specializes in CEO peer advisory mentoring in addition to leadership development content design, facilitation, and coaching executives and small groups.
After Achievementor’s launch in 2019, Haynes has developed a track record and reputation for elevating the careers of high-level executives across companies of all sizes, both public and private, through utilizing strategies in mindful leadership, team dynamics, and group coaching. However, Haynes credits her Northeastern degree as the foundation for these strategies—all of which have compounded into a success story.
“When I was pursuing my degree, I had been introduced to the concept of emotional intelligence. It has become the foundation of my work as an executive coach. Following my graduation, a book on the subject was published by Daniel Goleman, launching his reputation as one of the founders of emotional intelligence,” she says, beaming. “Fast forward to [2023], I was engaged by a large health insurer client to facilitate an emotional intelligence workshop for their C-suite level team. This was a major investment in leadership development for them. It was important enough that they brought in a guest speaker, Daniel Goleman himself, to speak on the topic of emotional intelligence, via Zoom!” radiates Haynes. “I was a big fan his book, and then fast forward 30 years later, I was debriefing the concept with C-Suite leaders following his presentation on Zoom.”
With her full-circle Northeastern moment in conjunction with her natural talents for coaching and elevating one’s career path, Haynes offers advice to both enrolled Huskies and young working professionals. “When uncomfortable, you’re on to something,” says Haynes with conviction. “Always make sure that you engage to get the best possible answer and to be comfortable with discomfort—as you advance your career and get to the next level of leadership, there will be things you need to learn.” Keeping that in mind, Haynes and her wisdom is a catalyst in helping the next generation of Huskies prosper.
Learn more about Achievementor, LLC
Always make sure that you engage to get the best possible answer and to be comfortable with discomfort—as you advance your career and get to the next level of leadership, there will be things you need to learn.
Cheryl Haynes, MS’94
Meet Cynthia Orofo, BHS’19, Ph.D.’24! After starting Culture Care Collective while enrolled in a Ph.D. program at Northeastern, Cynthia has helped it grow to make an impact on surrounding communities in the Boston area—while garnering recognition as a Women Who Empower Innovator award winner and being named to the Boston Forbes 30 under 30 list. Learn about Culture Care Collective’s impact and why Cynthia’s nine year Northeastern experience!
Read more about Culture Care Collective:
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Meet Mari Andrade, E’96! Mari has mastered the art of storytelling—learn about how her experiences at General Motors and the Olympic and Paralympic Games have shaped her current career as a messaging and storytelling strategist. Plus, learn tips for self-compassion and how to craft a compelling narrative for yourself!
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Dr. Patricia Sullivan’s, BHS’68 55-year international career in physical therapy began when she entered the undergraduate program at Bouvé in 1964. “My first two years of physical therapy education were in the Bouvé program at Tufts, before Bouvé joined Northeastern. The education that I subsequently received at Northeastern started me on a tremendous professional path.”
Living in Speare Hall on Huntington Ave, Sullivan and her 25 physical therapy classmates quickly made connections within the Northeastern community. She still remains closely connected with a group of seven that calls itself the “Bouvé Broads”, all who have held their physical therapy licenses for 45 years and all who continue to gather and reminisce on a regular basis.
After graduation, Sullivan took a position at Massachusetts General Hospital to practice physical therapy. A master’s degree at Northwestern came next, followed by 12 years teaching at Boston University and while there co-authoring two textbooks on Therapeutic Exercise. While enrolled in a PhD program at BU, a simple and “serendipitous” letter changed the trajectory of her career path. The letter, from a professor at Curtin University in Perth, Australia invited her to spend a month teaching in their physical therapy program and leading workshops in Perth. She expanded the month into a 10-month teaching trip across Australia and South Asia. When back in Boston she joined the faculty at the MGH Institute. Through increased professional contacts and an ever-growing personal network Sullivan parlayed that initial trip into 30 years of international teaching while writing two more textbooks.
In 2018, Sullivan was asked to speak at the physical therapy pinning at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences graduation, 50 years after her own ceremony. That afternoon, in another serendipitous moment, a student approached Sullivan after listening to her recounting her career and said that she wanted to follow Sullivan’s life of international service. “It’s just so rewarding to see young professionals wanting to do what I have loved doing,” Sullivan says.
The conversation with the student at graduation stuck with Sullivan, who used it as a catalyst and motivational tool while writing her book “Boston, Bangkok, Bombay & Beyond: The Journeys of a Physical Therapist” over the course of the pandemic. In this memoir she tells her story of navigating world cultures while teaching the science of physical therapy and the art of human connections behind it. The book chronicles Sullivan’s exposure to the many cultural experiences and professional challenges she met and learned from during the work of 30 years.
Sullivan’s extraordinary life, from her Northeastern experience to her global presence, has sparked an interest in physical therapy for countless Huskies. In addition, she has guided Huskies during their professional development through her supervision of co-op students.
To her fellow Northeastern community members, she states “I think we can become insular in what we teach, learn, and practice. There are so many ways in which we interact internationally and that affect how we, as individuals and as a community, can work in the world.” Dr. Sullivan’s work will continue to inspire Huskies for years to come.
Purchase “Boston, Bangkok, Bombay & Beyond: The Journeys of a Physical Therapist”
I think we can become insular in what we teach, learn, and practice. There are so many ways in which we interact internationally and that affect how we, as individuals and as a community, can work in the world.”
Patricia Sullivan, BHS’68
Meet Sage Antonio, AMD’27! The founder of Sageware Fashion, Sage is an ambassador for how Northeastern’s entrepreneurial resources can help you grow your business—learn about their Northeastern experience, growing a business, and the Sherman Venture Co-op.
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“I loved my time in Boston,” says Steven Summer, a 1972 graduate of the D’Amore-McKim School of Business, with a smile. “I mean, a lot of things drew me to Northeastern, notwithstanding the proximity and co-op program. At that point, Northeastern was much more focused on our careers and our work.”
Summer, currently the president and CEO of the Healthcare Institute, a nonprofit organization comprised of 40 of America’s leading hospital and health system CEOs, is no stranger to the hospital administration field. He has had an illustrious career, serving as the president and CEO of the West Virginia Hospital Association, and most recently, having the same title at the Colorado Hospital Association, until he retired at the end of 2019.
Summer’s work in health care has not gone unnoticed by his colleagues—this past April, he was awarded the 2024 American Hospital Association Board of Trustees Award for his lifetime of considerable and striking contributions to the AHA and hospital administration in general.
However, given all of Summer’s success, what was the catalyst that sparked his interest in health care? “I came back to Northeastern in the summer of ‘68…I had spent the prior summer working at a state mental hospital in Rhode Island. The head of psychiatry at the Rhode Island Mental Health Center said…” you should look at a career hospital administration. It’s a new emerging profession [because] Medicare and Medicaid were just passed.”
Once back in Boston, Summer immediately began applying for co-op positions in hospitals and landed a prestigious co-op position at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey. This co-op position provided him the career direction and aspirations he had been searching for and led—through a mutual family connection—to a co-op position at the Massachusetts Hospital Association, one in which he participated in for three consecutive years until he graduated in 1972.
Summer credits his Northeastern and co-op experiences for his career success—even citing the latter in his acceptance speech for the aforementioned American Hospital Association Board of Trustees Award. “Use that co-op time wisely,” says Summer when speaking in regard to a successful and fulfilling Northeastern experience. “Use it in a way to explore opportunities, and make important connections, because they may prove valuable in the future.”
Follow Steven on LinkedIn here.
Use [the co-op] to explore opportunities, and make important connections, because they may prove valuable in the future.”
Steven Summer, DMSB’73
Meet Meagan Reda, SSH’08! Meagan is one of the top shareholder activism lawyers in the world—learn how her Northeastern internships guided her to career success, her upcoming panel at Harvard, and advice she has for current Northeastern students.
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