umass boston group tours

Boston Common (1634)

Small Group Tours of Historic Boston

"Boston State House is the hub of the solar system. You couldn't pry that out of a Boston man, if you had the tire of all creation straightened out for a crowbar."

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1858)

WELCOME TO THE HUB

Hub Town Tours prides itself as the best small-group tour in Boston, whether that's visiting the iconic Freedom Trail     or strolling the historic neighborhoods of  Beacon Hill  and Back Bay . As a local small business, w e embrace Holmes's mindset: a pride of place grounded in the fact that this  small to wn played a central role in forming the United States of America. O ur intimate walking tours transports you, our guest, back to the historic town, animated people, and revolutionary ideas born in Boston, Massachusetts.

"Brilliant. We honestly couldn’t recommend our guide enough. He was perhaps the single best tour guide we’ve had on any tour, ever!"

Massachusetts State House (1798)

TOURS OF ALL TYPES

Hub Town Tours focuses on the incredible history found all around "The Hub" of Boston. We offer top-quality, small-group walking tours along the Freedom Trail , over Beacon Hill , and in Back Bay , as well as  Custom Tours for private groups large and small.

FREEDOM TRAIL

BEACON HILL

We're delighted that you are interested in visiting UMass Amherst! Below you will find information about planning your visit and traveling to campus.

Campus Tours & Info Sessions

UMass Amherst Undergraduate Admissions offers in-person campus tours and first-year admissions information sessions throughout the week. Our tours and information sessions offer students and families the opportunity to learn more about life at UMass Amherst and our first-year application process.

View the schedule and sign up

More ways to meet umass.

We can't wait to meet you! Our student tour guides, admissions counselors, and academic partners are eager to answer your questions and guide you through the admissions process. 

Check out our in-person and online events for opportunities where you can interact, ask questions, and learn all about the UMass Amherst experience.

Getting Around Campus

Group tours.

UMass Amherst Undergraduate Admissions offers group tours to high schools, community-based organizations and community colleges that work with students at the 9th-grade level and above.

To request a group tour (10-60 students) for your high school group, community-based organization or community college, please see the schedule linked below. Space is extremely limited, so it is recommended to schedule a group tour well in advance. Groups are also welcome to visit UMass at any time and tour campus on their own . 

Amherst: A Great College Town

Amherst is known as one of the top college towns in North America! The town really has it all, and it will be your home as a UMass Amherst student.

Meet Our Tour Guides

Abby '27 (she/her).

Hometown: Grafton, Massachusetts

Major: Biomedical Engineering, pre-med track

Activities and involvement: Asian American Student Association, UMass Pre-Medical Society, intramural soccer

Favorite food location at UMass: Berkshire Dining Commons

Alec '27 (he/him)

Hometown: Somerville, Massachusetts

Major: Psychology

Activities and involvement: Member of the Commonwealth Honors College, intramural hockey through LUG Sports

Favorite food location at UMass: Easily Roots Café in the Honors College hub. The quesadillas and chicken sandwich are heavenly. Just don’t ask how much money I’ve spent so far…

Andrew '25 (he/him)

Hometown: Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Major: Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences

Activities and involvement: Outing Club, National Student Speech-Language & Hearing Club, social media manager Special Olympics club, vice president Cycling and Sustainability Club, and intramural soccer team

Anika '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Franklin, Massachusetts

Major: Informatics on the Data Science track

Minor: Business

Activities: South Asian Students Association, UMass Jazba, Commonwealth Honors College, Undergraduate Course Assistant in CICS

Favorite food on campus: My favorite food on campus has to be the People’s Market bagels in the student union. The bagels and cream cheese are always fresh and tasty!

Anna '27 (she/her)

Hometown: Lexington, Massachusetts

Double major: Theater and Economics 

Activities and involvement: Commonwealth Honors College, UMass Amherst Theatre Department, UMass Theatre Guild, intramural soccer

UMass hidden gem: The Arts Bridge! It’s one of my favorite spots on campus because apart from being a really cool study space, at any time during the day (and sometimes even at night), you can walk the length of it and hear and see all kinds of artists doing all different kinds of work.

Annabelle '25 (she/her)

Hometown: Oak Ridge, New Jersey

Major: Biology  Minors: Biochemistry and Business

Activities and involvement: Chaarg, TA, peer-led organic chemistry tutor, Polish Cultural Club, UMass Dining Ambassador

Why I chose UMass: I chose UMass because of the Exploratory Track offered, where I was able explore different classes in the STEM realm and find a track that best fit what I was looking for in a career!

Bella '25 (she/her)

Hometown: Pembroke, Massachusetts

Major: Marketing

Activities and involvement: Member of the Commonwealth Honors College, Co-President of Isenberg Women in Business, Peer Mentor for Isenberg Women in Business

Why I chose UMass: I chose UMass because of the extensive support and resources that the university has to offer. I have never once felt under-advised and have always had someone to turn to when I needed guidance. 

Celia '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Acton, Maine

Major: Legal Studies

Minor: Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Certificate: Reproductive Health and Reproductive Justice

Activities and involvement: Commonwealth Honors College, Transfer Success TA, Club Swimming, Triathlon Club, Pre-Law Club, and the Legal Studies Undergratuate Board

Favorite food location at UMass: I love the wraps at Whitmore Café, a perfect hidden gem in the center of campus!

Why I chose UMass: As a transfer student, I was yearning for a school where I could find a strong community for my major, explore more extracurricular activities, continue swimming, and where I could meet someone new every single day. UMass has surpassed every expectation I had, and I have made so many amazing friendships with my peers and professors while also being the absolute happiest version of myself. 

Christian '25 (he/him)

Hometown: Charlton, Massachusetts

Major: Finance

Activities and involvement: Delta Sigma Pi Fundraising Chair, Intramural Soccer

UMass hidden gem: The rooftop on the Design Building is one of the best spots on campus a lot of people don’t know about!

Colby '26 (he/him)

Hometown: Bourne, Massachusetts

Major: Electrical Engineering

Activities and involvement: WMUA radio, UMass Wind Energy Club, UMass Outing Club, intramural sports

Why I chose UMass: I chose to go to UMass because of their top-ranked engineering programs, and how that gives me a smaller, niche community to interact with within the large and diverse campus as a whole. There are so many ways to find your groups while at UMass, but it’s great having the resources of a bigger school. You can really get the best of both worlds at UMass!

Danish '26 (he/him)

Hometown: Belchertown, Massachusetts

Double major: Economics and Public Health on the Pre-Med Track

Activities: Commonwealth Honors College, TA for SPHHS 150, research assistant in Skouta Lab, events coordinator for Pakistani Students Organization, HEART intern

Favorite food from the dining commons: Mediterranean wrap with lamb from Tavola. 

David '25 (he/him)

Hometown: Agawam, Massachusetts

Double major: Biochemistry and Psychology

Activities and involvement: Commonwealth Honors College, club swim team, Ski and Board Club, lifeguard with Campus Recreation

Why I chose UMass: UMass was the perfect combination of great academics, great food, low cost, and a vibrant community. There is truly an exciting, fun, and enthusiastic energy at UMass that the students and staff all create. I really enjoy the amount of events, activities, and resources that are offered to students on campus, and even in the surrounding area. There is always something to do, and new things to experience.

Divya '25 (she/her)

Hometown: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

Double major: Microbiology and Human Pathophysiology (BDIC)

Activities and involvement:  UMass Jazba, South Asian Students Association, Hack(H)er413, Pre-Medical Society, Early Academic Development Lab

Favorite UMass food: My favorite food on campus is the zesty orange chicken from Frank Grab and Go!! It’s the perfect quick lunch to eat and will always hit the spot. Also great to grab if you want to sit outside and eat lunch on a sunny UMass day!

Drew '25 (he/him)

Hometown: Uxbridge, Massachusetts

Major: Environmental Science

Activities:  Commonwealth Honors College, undergraduate research assistant in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, EnviSci peer advisor, gallery attendant for the Student Union Art Gallery, UMass Dynamics Acappella, Forestry Club

UMass hidden gem: The outdoor areas around Central and Orchard Hill Residential Areas. I would consider the Durfee Conservatory a must-visit when at UMass, but the gardens and orchards surrounding the greenhouses are just as beautiful. The rhododendron garden across the street is also a great place to check out, especially because you can find some trees and shrubs that make up UMass’s arboretum. Lastly, Prexy’s Ridge is the only old-growth forest in Massachusetts found on a college campus and has awesome trails to explore.

Eli '25 (he/him)

Hometown: Alameda, California

Double major: Sport Management and Marketing

Activities and involvement: McCormack Student Leaders Club (MSL), RAP resident as a freshman, intramural sports

Why did you choose UMass?:  I chose UMass for a wide range of reasons, but the biggest reason I chose it was to have the opportunity to be a part of the most prestigious and best Sport Management department in the country. After taking part in the summer program that the department puts on every year, I knew I wanted to be in the McCormack Department for my undergraduate years. Two tour guides who also are Sport Management majors were kind enough to talk to me before I officially made my college decision and their enthusiasm about the department, the tour guide job, and UMass as a whole solidified my choice to come to UMass.

Elise '27 (she/her)

Hometown: Andover, Massachusetts

Activities and involvement: UMass Alpine ski team, Women in Business, Marketing Club, AdLab 

Favorite food at one of the dining commons: Moose tracks ice cream at Frank

Elizabeth ‘25 (she/her)

Hometown: Braintree, Massachusetts

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Activities: UMass Minuteman Marching Band, Pep Band, Spring Color Guard

Favorite food on campus: Sweets ‘n' More is one of my favorite student-run businesses on campus.  All of their ice cream shakes are named after current students working there, and my friend Lee’s shake, called the Lee’s a Little Fruity, is my absolute favorite.  It’s made with raspberry sorbet, strawberry ice cream, and maraschino cherries! 

Ella '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Arlington, Massachusetts

Double major: Psychology and Community Education & Social Change

Activities and involvement: Commonwealth Honors College, Habitat for Humanity, CHAARG, Outing Club, intramural sports

Why I chose UMass: I chose the University of Massachusetts Amherst for the affordable tuition, their high ranking as a public university, the large student population, and access to a large university's resources. My acceptance to the Commonwealth Honors College is another reason that I chose UMass, with its tight-knit community and smaller class sizes. UMass has something for everyone, and I truly couldn’t be happier with my decision to come here. 

Emerson '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Westborough, Massachusetts

Major: Psychology with a certificate in Criminal Justice

Activities and involvement: Residential Service Desk (RSD), UMass Transfer Residential Academic Program (Rap), Best Buddies club, Criminal Justice Club, intramural field hockey, basketball, volleyball, and co-ed flag football

Favorite food location at UMass: My favorite dining hall at UMass is Hampshire Dining Commons, or more commonly known as Hamp! I love the layout of Hamp, the variety of food choices, and the huge open windows that overlook the Southwest horseshoe. Not to mention, they have the absolute best oat-ly self serve ice cream for the perfect sweet treat after a well-balanced meal. I always put chocolate sprinkles, caramel sauce, coconut flakes, and crushed up Butterfinger candy pieces on my oat-ly…wow I am hungry now! 

Emily '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Winthrop, Massachusetts

Major: Nutrition Minor: Kinesiology

Activities and involvement: Nutrition Club

Favorite food at one of the dining commons: The chicken teriyaki sushi from Worcester commons is the best thing ever! The chicken and sushi combo is the best of both worlds!

Emma '25 (she/her)

Hometown: Berkley, Massachusetts

Major: Operations and Information Management

Minor: Information Technology

Activities and involvement: Delta Sigma Pi, 180 Degrees Consulting

UMass hidden gem: The courtyard area in the Commonwealth Honors College residential area is a great place to enjoy a sunny spring day or watch a great sunset over the rec fields!

Fiona '25 (she/her)

Hometown: Quincy, Massachusetts

Major: Kinesiology

Activities and involvement: The Body Shop on campus, physical therapist aide and personal trainer off campus

Why I chose UMass: I chose UMass because despite how big and intimidating the size of the school may be, the environment and community felt so welcoming and so easy to find my place in! I transferred here from a much smaller school but the liveliness of the campus and extensive opportunities for involvement made the large campus and thousands of students so much easier to navigate. Something that has always stood out to me was how welcoming and kind the entire community at UMass is, both staff and students. This is something that truly can make or break a college experience — for me here at UMass, it made it! Beyond this the classes specifically for my major, kinesiology, were very extensive for several career path outcomes and had exactly what I was looking for! Academic-wise, the transfer process was seamless making my transfer process easier than I ever expected!

Gavin '25 (he/him)

Hometown: Belford, New Jersey 

Double major: Geography (GIST) and Sustainable Community Development

Activities and involvement: Commonwealth Honors College student ambassador, International Scholars Program, New Student Orientation and Transitions Office, Student Alumni Association, intramural soccer and volleyball, Jewish Student Union (JewMass)

Favorite UMass tradition/event: My favorite UMass Tradition is the Commencement Ball. Every May, senior students are able to attend this formal gala in the Mullins Center to celebrate the success of their undergraduate journey. It is like prom, but for college students! As a member of the Student Alumni Association, I was able to help plan and decorate for this highly anticipated event during my first year at UMass! It was extremely rewarding seeing the final product of my club’s hard work. 

Giorgia '27 (she/her)

Hometown: Milan, Italy

Major: Animal Science 

Minor: Art History 

Activities and involvement: Animal Science/Pre-vet club, Animal Science RAP

Favorite food at one of the dining commons: My favorite food here at UMASS is the chocolate chip banana bread. It can be found in all of the cafes on campus and on special occasions in the dining halls. It is the perfect snack during a study break or in the morning, especially if paired with coffee. It just never disappoints. 

Hunter '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Holyoke, Massachusetts

Major: Operations & Information Management

Activities and involvement: Commonwealth Honors College, Women in Business, Isenberg Global Citizens, American Hotel & Lodging Association

Favorite food at one of the dining commons: The pickle slices at the Hampshire Dining Commons sandwich station!

Ilana '25 (she/her)

Hometown: Watertown, Massachusetts

Double major: Dual degree in BDIC (Concentration: Environmental Microbiology) and Portuguese 

Activities and involvement:  Commonwealth Honors College, president of UMass Club Swimming, RecWell employee, undergraduate researcher in Molecular Microbial Ecology Lab, permaculture garden volunteer 

Favorite food at one of the dining commons: My favorite food from the dining commons is the Japanese Curry Chicken Tonkatsu, or as I refer to it, Japanese yummy yummy . Every Wednesday night after swim practice, you’ll find my teammates and I in the dining hall with ‘Japanese yummy yummy’ bowls cluttering our table. 

Indira '26 (she/her)

Hometown: New York, New York   

Double major: Legal Studies and Environmental Refugee Displacement (BDIC) 

Activities and involvement: Commonwealth Honors College, UMass Minuteman Marching Band, intramural soccer, volunteer work at Not Bread Alone Soup Kitchen (CESL Program)

UMass hidden gem: Definitely the courtyard behind Thompson Hall facing the Campus Center Parking Garage. It’s a great outdoor study space that’s tucked away from the main campus walkway just enough that it’s the perfect environment to concentrate in. In the spring, the cherry trees in the courtyard bloom, and you can tuck yourself up underneath the petals on a lawn chair and just relax. I highly recommend!

Ishaan '26 (he/him)

Hometown: New Delhi, India

Double major: Economics and Psychology Minor: IT

Activities and involvement: Student Government Association; Sikh Student Association; 180 Degrees Consulting; SBS Pathways Center; Reasoning, Decision Making and Computational Modeling Lab (RDCL); Sustainable Economics and Policy Lab; Commonwealth Honors College

UMass Hidden Gem: The hill in Orchard Hill makes for an awesome hangout spot to watch sunsets and have picnics on warmer days and for sledding on snow days! I so wish I had discovered it sooner while I was living in the area. 

Jibrael '25 (he/him)

Hometown: North Bergen, New Jersey

Major: Sport Management

Activities and involvement: Association of Diversity in Sport, McCormack Sport and Analytics, Laboratory for Inclusion and Diversity in Sport, mentee for the Boston Celtics for Corporate Partnerships

Why I chose UMass:  I chose UMass because they wanted me for me, and they accepted what I did inside and outside of the classroom! I am really glad I ended up coming here!

Julia '27 (she/her)

Hometown: Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Double major: Biology and Spanish

Activities and involvement: Pre-Medical Society, Genetics Club, Spanish department weekly Sobremesa

Favorite food at one of the dining commons: The pho noodle soup is by far my favorite meal on campus! You can add in a bunch of different things, but I always add tofu, scallions, cilantro, and a lime wedge!

Kelly '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Natick, Massachusetts

Major: Psychology and BDIC for Industrial Organizational Psychology

Minor: Math

Activities and involvement: Club Gymnastics, Ski and Board club, Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority

UMass hidden gem: Argo tea next to Berkshire!

Hometown: North Reading, Massachusetts

Activities and involvement: UMass Ski and Board Club, UMass Outing Club, intramural flag football

Favorite UMass tradition/event: My favorite UMass tradition has to be the opening game at the Mullins Center for the hockey season. There is so much school spirit and watching the game is a lot of fun!  

Kendall '26 (they/she)

Hometown: Beverly, Massachusetts

Major: Geography

Minor: Sustainable Community Development

Activities and involvement: Club Rock Climbing, Geoscience Club, UDems, intramural flag football

UMass hidden gem: Ascend Climbing Wall! It’s a rock-climbing gym on campus that is free for all UMass students! Definitely a great place to check out whether you’re a pro or you’ve never climbed before.

Lizzie ‘25 (she/her)

Hometown: East Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Double Major: Linguistics and Communication Disorders

Activities and involvement: Commonwealth Honors College, Period Movement, UMass Permaculture Initiative, Outing Club

UMass hidden gem:  Greeno Sub Shop! Located in the basement of Greenough Hall in Central Residential Area, Greeno Sub Shop makes the best grilled cheese sandwich at UMass. Along with Greeno, UMass has a number of completely student run businesses, all of which serve amazing food and are run by your peers (which makes it that much cooler). The menu and atmosphere of Greeno is just the best, and is 100% worth walking up the hill for.

Maddie '25 (she/her)

Hometown: Rehoboth, Massachusetts

Double Major: Art and Education

Activities and involvement: Art Club, Museum Club, Crochet Club, Ski Club, Outing Club, House Council

Favorite food location at UMass: My favorite food location at Umass is Sweets & More. I go there almost every week and I love supporting them since they are a student-run business. Sweets & More always has new and different themed foods based on holidays or what is happening on campus, and I always get excited to see what new desserts they have each month. My favorite things to get are the shamrock shake for St. Patrick's Day and the caramel apples for Halloween. 

Myleigh '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Williston, Vermont

Major: Psychology, Neuroscience Track

Minor: Biology and Certificate in DDHS

Activities and involvement: The Navigators, Habitat for Humanity, NSSLHA, intramural volleyball, and I’m a research assistant in a neuroscience lab on campus.

Favorite food location at UMass: Franklin Dining Commons!!!

Natalie '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Salem, Massachusetts

Double major: Psychology, and Criminology & Law

Activities and involvement: Communities Against Cancer Club, Students to End Alzheimer’s Disease Club, Special Olympics (Young Athletes Program), Criminology Club, Neuroscience Club, Forsythe Grange Mentoring Program, SPACE Program

Favorite food at one of the dining commons: Cookies & cream frozen yogurt with Oreo topping!

RJ '25 (he/him)

Hometown: Mount Laurel, New Jersey

Major:  Operations & Information Management

Certificate: Data Analytics

Activities and involvement: WMUA, Marketing Club, Outing Club, Ski and Board Club

Favorite UMass food:  Teriyaki chicken bowls from Hamp!

Sabrina '25 (she/her)

Hometown: Newton, Massachusetts

Double major: History and Economics

Activities and involvement: Women’s club volleyball, Student Government Association, Resident Assistant

Favorite food location at UMass: My favorite food location is Tavola in Blue Wall. I’m there at least three times a week to get a falafel or chicken wrap (and always with extra tzatziki).

Sage '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Rowley, Massachusetts

Double major: Sociology and Psychology

Activities and involvement: Acapella and intramural sports

Why I chose UMass: I chose to transfer to UMass because of the welcoming environment and the overwhelming amount of groups to join, and activities to participate in. I love meeting new people every day and discovering new gems of campus. 

Sam '25 (she/her)

Hometown: Ipswich, Massachusetts

Major: Nursing

Activities and involvement: Student Nursing Association (SNA), Student Nurse Ambassador, CHC, Intramural Volleyball

Favorite food at UMass: The chicken teriyaki sushi from Hampshire Dining Commons is my favorite! I don’t like seafood, and I like the chicken so much that I usually ask for some on the side too.

Sara '27 (she/her)

Hometown: Seattle, Washington

Double major: Political Science and Sociology; certificate in Criminology and the Criminal Justice System 

Activities and involvement: Political Science Undergraduate Board, Sociology Club, intramural volleyball and soccer

Favorite food at one of the dining commons: Spicy tuna roll from Berk and an iced white mocha from the Procrastination Station in the library.

Scotty '25 (he/him)

Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Activities and involvement: American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Supermileage Vehicle Team (SMV)

Favorite food at one of the dining commons: Waffles and hard ice cream at Franklin Dining Commons

Shyla '26 (she/her)

Hometown:  Orange, Massachusetts

Major:  Kinesiology on Pre-Physical Therapy Track

Activities and involvement: Treasurer and competitive dancer - Ballroom Dance Team, Programming Board

UMass hidden gem: The courtyard between Linden and Maple House. Love studying outside when its nice out and it's usually super quiet

Silas '26 (he/him)

Hometown: Topsfield, Massachusetts

Major: Political Science

Activities and involvement: Cru, Club Tennis, 91.1 WMUA Amherst, Outings Club, and intramural soccer, flag football, basketball, and volleyball

UMass hidden gem: The Post & Bean Café in the Olver Design Building is one of my favorite places to study! It has tons of big windows, really great architecture, and faces west, so it’s a great place to see the sunset! Every time I’m there, I grab a latte and set up by the window to grind out my homework. Definitely check it out if you’re looking for a hidden study spot.

Sophie '25 (she/her)

Hometown: Marblehead, Massachusetts

Double major: Political Science and Journalism

Minor: French

Activities and involvement: Massachusetts Daily Collegian Staff Writer, WMUA 91.1 DJ, UMass Women into Leadership Fellow, Resident Assistant

Favorite food at one of the dining commons: Stir fry and cookies & cream frozen yogurt at Berkshire Dining Commons makes for the perfect meal!

Swastika '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Kolkata, India

Major: Biology

Minors: Chemistry and Biochemistry

Activities: TA for Bio 151, Pre-Medical Society, K-pop Dance Club, BioSci Club, HackUMass

Favorite food on campus: The Tony Montana milkshake at Sweets & More is to die for! I also cannot wait for Wednesdays in the Hampshire Dining Commons because the Chicken Katsu is always a treat.  

Tamara '25 (she/her)

Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon 

Major: Exploratory Track in the College of Natural Sciences

Activities and involvement: Arab Cultural Association; Center for Education, Policy, and Advocacy; research

UMass hidden gem:  Morrill Science center has an amazing hidden crystal exhibit that I always visit after class.

Taylor '27 (she/her)

Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut

Double major: Studio Art and English

Activities and involvement: Commonwealth Honors College, Hillel, College of Humanities and Fine Arts (HFA) Student Leadership Group, Local Mojo, Art Club, UDems

Favorite food location: Franklin Dining Commons!

Ty '26 (he/him)

Hometown: Sheffield, Massachusetts

Major: English

Minor: Education

Activities and involvement: Theater electrician

Favorite food location at UMass: Sweets 'n' More is my favorite place on campus to grab food. They have breakfast food in the evening and I can go there with friends and grab themed milkshakes and hash browns. 

Uma '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Caldwell, New Jersey

Double major: Psychology and BDIC (behavioral economics) 

Activities and involvement: Commonwealth Honors College, Student Alumni Association (student ambassador and recruitment coordinator), iCons, Isenberg Undergraduate Consulting Group (junior analyst) 

Favorite food at the dining commons:  Mac ‘n’ cheese with buffalo tenders at Worcester grab ‘n’ go every Monday! Monday Mac is literally built into my calendar because of how much I love it and look forward to it!

Valeria '27 (she/her)

Hometown: Billerica, Massachusetts

Double major: Political Science and Legal Studies

Certificate: Criminology

Activities and involvement: Commonwealth Honors College, Student Government Association, RAP (Residential Academic Program)

Favorite UMass tradition/event:  My favorite UMass event is supporting our Division 1 sports teams. Whether it’s attending the football tailgates, basketball, or hockey games, UMass never fails to provide you with a sense of community through these exciting games. Our competitive program and exceptional school spirit make attending these events one of the best parts of my experience. 

Vianca '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Mumbai, India

Major: Computer Science

Activities: HackUMass, Public Interest Technology Club, K-pop Dance Club, Residence Hall Security

Favorite food on campus: Congee, which is served for brunch at Hampshire DC over the weekends, is my favorite meal. It is pretty simple but really nourishing!

Willa '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Double major: Communications and Journalism

Activities and involvement:  UMass Dance Club dancer and choreographer, yoga teacher for recwell, peer advisor for the communication department, peer mentor for the journalism department, member of ski and board club

Favorite food on campus:  Berk pasta bar

Yasmine '26 (she/her)

Hometown: Woburn, Massachusetts

Double major: Public Health and Public Policy 

Minor: Arabic 

Activities and involvement: Arab Cultural Association (E-Board), Muslim Student Association, Pakistani Student Organization, Student Government Association, Public Health Club, teaching assistant 

Favorite UMass tradition: PSO’s Mock Shaadi is definitely one of my favorite events on campus.

Yusuf' 25 (he/him)

Hometown: Durban, South Africa

Major: Economics 

Minor: Philosophy

Activities and involvement: Resident assistant, Muslim Students Association, Outing Club, Isenberg Sales Club

UMass hidden gem: A hidden gem I’ve come across during my time at UMass is the Durfee Conservatory, opposite UHS. The conservatory is a serene and warm escape from the hustle and bustle of campus, especially during the winter months. Whether it’s just walking through on my way to class or reading a book next to the koi pond, it’s a great place to unwind. 

Zaeem '27 (he/him)

Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan

Double major: Computer Science and Mathematics in Data Science and Statistics

Activities and involvement: Member of the Pakistani Student Organization, Muslim Student Association, UMass Outing Club, and UMass Cricket Club.

Why I chose UMass: I chose UMass for a multitude of compelling reasons that combined to create an unbeatable experience. UMass has a vibrant and diverse student body, providing an exciting platform to connect with individuals from across the globe, each bringing unique ethnicities and cultures to the mix. Also, the campus is a hub of constant activity, offering endless opportunities to explore, engage, and push myself both academically and socially. Now that I'm here, I couldn't be happier to be a part of this adventure!

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Members of Working Group Announced to Study Impact and Share Recommendations Following Carney Hospital Closure

Today, the City of Boston announced the members of the working group that will assess community health needs following the closure of Carney Hospital, receive public feedback, and make recommendations to Governor Healey and Mayor Wu on next steps. The working group is co-chaired by Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, the Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Boston, and Michael Curry, the President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. The group will meet over the next three months and then issue recommendations to Governor Maura Healey and to Mayor Michelle Wu early next year about measures to address the impacts of the hospital closure and improve access to care.

With the closure of Carney Hospital on August 31, 2024, following Steward Health Care’s bankruptcy proceedings, community members in the surrounding areas of Dorchester and Greater Boston are facing a gap in healthcare and emergency room access that neighboring hospitals will strain to meet. As City, State, and local healthcare providers are activated to address this gap in the short term, Governor Healey and Mayor Wu are moving to ensure a long-term plan for access at this site to meet community needs as quickly as possible, with a set of convenings to define the mix of health service needs that should drive the future of this site.

“The closure of Carney Hospital has left critical gaps in access to care. As the court’s bankruptcy proceedings have reached some legal resolution to Steward’s mismanagement, we must act quickly to address the future of quality healthcare on this site and bring community members together to reimagine and strengthen access,” said  Mayor Michelle Wu . “I’m grateful for the leadership of Co-Chairs Dr. Bisola Ojikutu and Michael Curry, and all the community stakeholders and experts who will work urgently with us to identify and map out next steps.”

“I want to thank my co-chair Michael Curry and all the members of this working group for ensuring the closure of Carney Hospital does not deepen existing health inequities in Boston,” said  Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Boston . “As we work together to identify gaps, assess needs, and listen to the community, I see this as an opportunity to find better, innovative ways to serve our residents, especially those who have been made vulnerable.”

"Dr. Ojikutu and I are proud to partner with a group of exceptional healthcare and community leaders to develop recommendations for the future of equitable care in this community," said  Michael Curry, President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers . "As we build a plan for the post-Carney future, the public's participation will be critical in fully understanding the impacts of this closure on residents and our healthcare system and informing innovative solutions that are for and by the community". 

The working group will use data, community input, and feedback from stakeholders and aim to make recommendations following 90 days of convening and analysis. At least one meeting will provide an opportunity for public comment, and those details will be announced by the Boston Public Health Commission. The working group is also partnering with Health Care for All to expand access to the public for input and engagement. In addition to targeted outreach, Health Care for All will also host community visioning sessions that will be shared with the working group. 

“The closure of a hospital represents more than just a loss of medical services – it affects jobs, emergency response, and the overarching feeling of reassurance in the area,” said  Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein . “Mindful of this, the work group brings together community members, health care leaders, public officials, and others to focus on the needs and concerns of the Dorchester region, gathering information, identifying gaps in care, proposing innovative solutions, and finding ways to equitably support those who had long counted on Carney Hospital.”

“Health Care For All believes that elevating community voices during this crisis is vital. We will continue to work with community partners to hear from the diverse populations who have been directly impacted by the Carney Hospital closure. With their perspectives in mind, we look forward to participating in productive working group sessions under the leadership of co-chairs Dr. Bisola Ojikutu and Michael Curry,” said  Amy Rosenthal, Executive Director of Health Care For All .

The members of the Dorchester Region working group are:

• Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Boston Public Health Commission,  co-chair
• Michael Curry, Esq., Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers,  co-chair
• Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, ex-officio
• Congressman Stephen Lynch, ex-officio
• State Senator Nick Collins, ex-officio
• State Representative Brandy Fluker Oakley, ex-officio
• City Councilor At-Large Ruthzee Louijeune, ex-officio
• City Councilor John FitzGerald, ex-officio
• Dr. Kiame Mahaniah, MA Executive Office of Health and Human Services, ex-officio
• Dr. Robbie Goldstein, MA Department of Public Health, ex-officio
• James Hooley, Chief of Boston EMS, ex-officio
• Kairos Shen, City of Boston Chief of Planning, ex-officio
• Amy Rosenthal, Health Care for All, ex-officio
• Dr. Jean Bonnet, Hyde Park Health Associates 
• Lydia Conley, Association for Behavioral Healthcare
• Lynn Cronin, Beth Israel Lahey Health
• Bishop William E. Dickerson, Greater Love Tabernacle
• Frank Doyle, Esq., FJD Health Care Consulting LLC
• Dr. Guy Fish, Codman Square Health Center
• Tim Foley, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
• Dr. Joe-Ann Gergus, Massachusetts Nurses Association
• George Huynh, VietAID
• Cynthia Loesch Johnson, Codman Square Neighborhood Council
• Rob Koenig, Boston Medical Center Health System
• Stan McLaren, Former President of Carney Hospital 
• Bart Mitchell, Community Builders 
• Vivien Morris, Mattapan Food & Fitness Coalition
• Chris Skillin, Lower Mills Merchants Association
• Darryl Smith, Total Care
• Dr. Elsie Taveras, Massachusetts General Brigham
• Guale Valdez, Mattapan Community Health Center
• Dr. Monica Vohra, DotHouse Health

“Putting the drama of the Steward implosion and Carney Hospital closure aside, it is very much time to focus on the needs of the community and citizens of Dorchester who are now facing a sudden reduction in health care services. Every community deserves access to high quality, culturally-relevant care. As the closest large primary care provider to the closed Carney campus, the Codman Square Health Center is heartened by the convening of this working group and the opportunity to reimagine the Carney site to deliver health services in innovative ways,” said  Dr. Guy Fish, CEO of Codman Square Health Center .

"I would like to express my sincere thanks to Governor Healey and Mayor Wu for their leadership in forming this working group, and to co-chairs Dr. Bisola Ojikutu and Michael Curry for their dedication to expanding healthcare access throughout Boston. While the closure of Carney Hospital is a significant loss for our community, this moment presents a valuable opportunity to reimagine what’s possible and explore innovative pathways to ensure equitable care for all our residents, particularly those most impacted in Dorchester and Mattapan. Many of our clients at VietAID need to find a new healthcare provider fast, and I'm concerned about the additional strain this will place on our already overburdened community health centers," said  George Huynh, Executive Director of Vietnamese American Initiative for Development (VietAID), Inc .

• Last updated: October 8, 2024

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