Brad West, Senior of the Week

This week’s featured senior is… Brad West!

Brad joined SAA as a sophomore during the fall 2009 semester. Since then, Brad has been the chair and moderator of 5 Under 25 for the College of Engineering twice. He also served as the chair of the Mayor of Huntington Avenue competition and moderated the debate. In 2011, Brad attended District 1 Conference at the University of Connecticut.

We will miss your enthusiasm, charm, and public speaking finesse! Thank you, Brad!

Senior of the Week Brad West, center, with fellow seniors Darren Mahoney and Rebecca Miller.

Age: 23

Hometown: New Milford, CT

Major: Chemical Engineering

Co-ops: Nuvera Fuel Cells; 1366 Technologies Inc.; Nanomanetism Lab, Northeastern University; Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany

What else are you involved in at Northeastern?
Aside from SAA, I helped start NU Science Magazine my freshman year. I am a member of NoLimits Dance Crew and a campus tour guide for Husky Ambassadors.

When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was little wanted to be a lawyer, needless to say that was a short lived phase after I discovered my inner geek.

Favorite ’90s TV show?
My favorite ’90s TV show was without a doubt Boy Meets World. It is still the best show ever made. 

What is something that everyone in SAA might not know about you?
When I was little I thought the words to “Don’t go chasing waterfalls” were “go go Jason water faucet.”

Boloco or Qdoba?
BOLOCO BOLOCO BOLOCO! I love my freebies. 

List five things that every Northeastern student should cross of their bucket list.
1. Summer Dialogue 

2. Try anything and everything you might be interested in

3. Watch or join everyone who jumps in the reflecting pool after any major win (sports/president/etc.)

4. Late night BHOP

5. Go to a hockey game

How has SAA contributed to your Northeastern experience?
SAA has been a huge part of my NU experience since sophomore year when I joined. It was not only a great group of new friends but also helped me land my favorite co-op through the 5 Under 25 program.

How do you hope to give back to the Northeastern community as an alumnus?
As an alumnus I hope to continue to be actively involved with NU students through events like 5 Under 25, providing co-op opportunities or advising. And, funds permitting, it would be great to have a scholarship fund to help students in need.

Jil Rinne, Senior of the Week

This week’s featured senior is… Jil Rinne!

After joining SAA as a freshman, Jil quickly got involved and took on leadership positions. As a sophomore, she joined the executive board in the role of SGA Liaison. For the past two years, Jil has served as the Vice President of Alumni Relations. In addition to planning all 5 Under 25 panels, she also organizes semesterly trivia nights with the Boston Alumni Chapter. Jil also helped start a new annual event, Connecting Huskies to Huskies Networking Night. She attended two CASE ASAP National Conventions; Nashville in 2011 and Indianapolis in 2012, at which she was awarded the Peter Buchanan Scholarship. With three District Conferences already under her belt, Jil will cap off her SAA experience with the D1 Conference at Bryant University in April.

Thank you Jil!

Senior of the Week Jil Rinne

Age: 21

Hometown: New Milford, CT

Major: Psychology, minors in Business & French

Co-ops:
 Institute for Healthcare Improvement 

What else are you involved in at Northeastern?
Senior Gift Drive Committee. 

When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An actress on Broadway

What is your favorite Disney movie?
The Sword in the Stone. 

What is something that not everyone in SAA knows about you?
My favorite reality show is Big Brother, and if I didn’t have to get a job after graduation, I would totally try out to be one of the house guests. 

Apple or Microsoft?
My new-found obsession with the iPhone leans me towards Apple. 

If you had a jet to take you anywhere in the world, what would your first stop be?
One of those amazingly beautiful remote islands they go to on The Bachelor. 

Favorite dessert?
Peach pie.

How has SAA contributed to your Northeastern experience?
I don’t think I’d have much of a Northeastern experience without SAA. It has opened so many doors for me and I’ve made so many great and lasting friendships. I’m pretty sure I chose to join freshman year because I got a nice red plastic Student Alumni Association cup to keep my pens in, and I’m glad I did! 

How do you hope to give back to the Northeastern community as an alumna?
I will go to every student-alumni networking event that is planned by SAA! I want to stay connected to the university that has given me so many great opportunities, and help other students get the most out of their Northeastern experience. 

College of Computer and Information Science 5 Under 25

Panelists from left to right: Matthew Matturro, Daniel Bostwick, Kevin Cheetham, Andy LeClair, and Shayne Caswell. Photo: Andrew Cloud

SAA’s successful 5 Under 25 series continued on February 14 with the College of Computer and Information Science. Panelists included:

• Daniel Bostwick – Computer Science ’12; Associate Technical Consultant, Cantina
• Shayne Caswell – Computer Science ’12; Cyber Security Engineer, The MITRE Corporation
• Kevin Cheetham – Computer Science ’11; Applications Developer, Harvard Management Company
• Andy LeClair – Computer Science ’11; Software Engineer, Tapjoy
• Matthew Matturro – Information Science & Business ’11; Technical Support Analyst, Harvard Law School

Thank you to all of the panelists and everyone who was able to attend this event! The next event in the 5 Under 25: Young Alumni Success Stories series is on March 21 for the College of Engineering.

Moderator Chris Jelly, Daniel Bostwick, and Shayne Caswell. Photo: Andrew Cloud

Lauren Jodoin, Senior of the Week

As commencement draws closer, SAA (sadly) gets ready to send off its seniors. This year, we have 16 graduating members. In order to give them all the recognition they deserve, the Media & Marketing committee is going to feature each of them on our blog.

Our first featured senior is a four-year member with a family legacy in SAA – Lauren “LJ” Jodoin! After joining as a sophomore, she quickly took on a leadership role by chairing a 5 Under 25. During her second year in SAA, she served on the Executive Board as the V.P. of Recruitment & Retention. She attended two District Conferences and also traveled to Kansas City for the 2010 National CASE ASAP Convention, at which she presented an education session. LJ will leaving a lasting impression on SAA with her creation of the first Buddy Passport with fellow senior Lauren Bailey. Even after her graduate classes started to conflict with SAA, she has remained a dedicated, welcoming and passionate member.

On behalf of the entire SAA, we’d like to thank her for her contributions to our organization. We will miss you!

Senior of the Week Lauren Jodoin

Age: 23

Hometown: Hooksett, New Hampshire

Major: Speech Language Pathology

When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher.

Favorite ’90s TV show?
Boy Meets World.

Who would play you in a movie? Who would play your love interest?
Cameron Diaz, the crazy girl in Charlie’s Angels, would play me. My love interest would be played by Josh Harnett, my teenage crush. Ask my sister… I made a scrapbook of pictures of him when I was younger.

Green line or Orange line?
Orange for speed!

Favorite snack food?
Pirate’s Booty.

Describe your perfect day in Boston.
Breakfast at The Pour House or The Mission to load up, so I could walk around the city or people watch. Eventually I would end up in the North End for some seafood and pasta. Dessert at Cafe Vittoria in the North End for gelato and cappuchino. No, I’m not Italian. I just LOVE food.

How has SAA contributed to your Northeastern experience?
I’ve met the greatest people in SAA and made lifelong friendships.

How do you hope to give back to the Northeastern community as an alumna?
I gave my senior gift of $20.13 recently to the SAA, so that more people can go to the District 1 Conference.

Some of our graduating seniors, including Lauren Jodoin (bottom right)

Sarah DiCioccio, Husky of the Week

During her first year in SAA, Sarah DiCioccio has already served as the chair of the newsletter committee and helped plan a community service event with Cradles to Crayons later this month. She is also co-presenting an education session this weekend at the CASE ASAP District 1 conference at Bryant University. For all of her recent hard work, Sarah has been named Husky of the Week. Thank you Sarah!

Husky of the Week Sarah DiCioccio

Age: 19

Hometown: Madison, CT

Major: English

Year: Sophomore

When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A fashion designer.

Favorite Harry Potter character?
Harry Potter (not to be unoriginal) because he’s the chosen one.

‘NSync or Backstreet Boys?
‘NSync.

Do you have any secrets or weird talents?
This is kind of an anti-talent, but I can’t whistle or snap my fingers.

Apple or PC?
PC.

What actress would play you in a movie? Who would play your love interest?
Mila Kunis would play me. Ryan Gosling would be my love interest, no competition.

What is your favorite thing about SAA?
All of the wonderful people in it!

Describe your perfect day in Boston.
A really warm summer day just hanging out at the harbor with my friends.

When you are rich and famous, what will you give back to Northeastern?
I’d add printers to each dorm room so students don’t have to trek over to the library when it’s late or cold just to print.