Celebrating Excellence: Town Hall Showcases Opportunities for Student Engagement

The seven Centers for Excellence took center stage at a well-attended event hosted by Student Government Association.

Hundreds of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) students gathered in Reed and Stoklosa Halls on Thursday for the Student Government Association Town Hall, themed “Celebrating Excellence.” 

Representatives from each of the seven Centers for Excellence, along with University President Richard Lessard and Provost Caroline Zeind, were invited to discuss their roles and the activities of each Center. Students enjoyed a complimentary dinner, cheered for their favorite professors, and engaged with the faculty and staff in a Q&A session that concluded the event.

The programming began with introductions from Student Government Association President Shalini Jinoy and Vice-President Arnaud Seyer, both BS ‘26. “Your presence shows your commitment to progress and excellence...and free food,” joked Seyer. “The Centers we’re highlighting are full of resources. They’re like the university's treasure chests, except the treasure is workshops, research opportunities, and global experiences.”

In President Lessard’s address, he thanked the Student Government Association officials for their work. He also emphasized the importance of student feedback to those in attendance, sharing that past town halls had helped to inform the University’s strategic plan. 

“Our most pertinent priorities are student success and the student experience,” President Lessard said. “The more you’re engaged with each other and the things that are important to you, the more motivated you are—and Centers for Excellence are all connected around engagement.”

Provost Zeind shared a similar sentiment in her comments. “We want each Center to feel welcoming and inclusive. They’re there to support you in your personal and academic journeys,” she said.

Faculty and staff from each Center were given time to introduce themselves, discuss priorities, and share how students can get more involved.

“I still remember how challenging it was to find mentorship as a student doing research. I want our students to be able to easily find opportunities,” said Dr. Keri Griffin, Dean of the Center for Research and Discovery.

The faculty and staff involved with the Centers remarked on their collaborative work, demonstrating the interconnectedness between their missions and purposes. Sara Sanford, Executive Director of International Academic Services in the Center for International Studies, shared how her Center helped support the Visiting Scholars program with Dr. Dien Ho, Director for the Center for Health Humanities.

“We have people from partners worldwide who come to share their expertise,” she added.

During the Q&A portion, students asked about international experiences, career development, and research, with President Lessard and Provost Zeind also chiming in to answer questions. 

The event concluded with the distribution of quarter zips featuring student-created designs inspired by each school. While standing in line for their swag, students said the event was an opportunity for learning and connection.

“I remember that last year there were fewer centers, so it was good to find out about the newer ones,” said Macaylan Migdal, BS ‘27. “One new thing I learned was that there are 170 different research areas that faculty can mentor students in.”

Despite the Centers for Excellence having different histories, purviews, and subjects, their common purpose of creating spaces for students to engage and succeed was a major theme of the evening. 

“I liked seeing the Deans and the people who work with the Centers in person,” said Hang Bui, MBA ‘27. “We learned a lot of information, but we also felt their passion and energy,”