WELCOME TO SUMMER!

In this edition, we celebrate our recent graduates from the Class of 2024! From nursing to education to entrepreneurship, these Phillips Scholars and graduates of the other scholarship programs we administer are already making an impact on their communities. We applaud their achievements in college and welcome them into our distinguished alumni community. We are honored to have contributed to their college journeys and look forward to seeing what they accomplish next!

Alexander Steven Barouxis-Kroll 

University of New Hampshire, Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration 

With a dual major in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Alexander is well-poised to begin as an Account Executive for Barton Associates in Worcester, MA. While embarking on the next phase of his career in business, he will also continue his longstanding work with his hometown homeless shelter and food waste reduction efforts. 

Annika Randall

University of Vermont

Bachelor of Science in Nursing 



Fresh off of earning her BSN, Annika will spend the summer studying for her licensure exam before starting a job as a registered nurse this fall. Annika looks forward to stepping into her role as a nurse who advocates for patients and empowers them, while also working to influence policies and address disparities. She notes that through this role, she will be working to enhance the lives of individuals in her community and contribute to broader societal well-being and health equity. 

Carol Kasule

University of Massachusetts Lowell 

Bachelor of Science in Public Health 

Carol got an early start to her graduate studies, by enrolling in UMass Lowell’s “Bachelor to Master” program while she was an undergraduate. This allowed her to complete a full semester of coursework in her Master’s in Public Administration program, and she hopes to complete her graduate studies within two years. Carol shares that the Stephen Phillips Scholarship motivated her to become a leader during college. She served as a Resident Assistant as well as Unit Coordinator at a local hospital, which gave her valuable managerial experience. Moving forward, Carol hopes to continue to work in leadership positions within the health care field in hopes of improving individual health. 

Elizabeth Davis Welcome

Howard University

Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts 

Elizabeth graduated with a dual degree in Psychology and Criminology, and is exploring career opportunities within the field of forensic psychology. After gaining valuable experience in the field, she plans to apply to graduate school for a PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology. 

Eve Jadari Deleon 

Clark University

Bachelor of Arts in Geography 

Minors in Studio Art and Community, Youth & Education Studies 

Eve will be training at the High Horses Center for Equine-Assisted Services this summer, where they will learn to provide equine-assisted therapies to people with disabilities. At the same time, Eve is exploring professional opportunities in conservation or social services, in keeping with their degrees. Over the past few years, Eve has worked with several non-profits to combat food insecurity in their hometown of Lynn, MA, and has continued similar service with multiple food pantries and programs near college in Worcester, MA. 

Hannah Norman 

University of New Hampshire

Bachelor of Science in Nursing 

Graduating with a degree in nursing, Hannah will hit the ground running first as a Patient Care Tech in the Emergency Department at Lowell General Hospital while also serving as a paraprofessional at an extended school year program. Then, she will start as an RN in the Emergency Department at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center this fall. She has been accepted into their New Graduate RN Program, where she will further develop her skills and knowledge of emergency medicine. Hannah hopes to become involved in her new hospital to improve patient care and service by joining professional organizations. She also hopes to eventually teach nursing students or precept students in the clinical setting to share her knowledge and love for nursing. 

Jose Ordoñez  

Trinity College

Bachelor's of Arts in Anthropology 

Jose pursued his passion for anthropology in college, and will now be working on the human-side of finance as a Customer Relationship Advocate at Fidelity Investments. He looks forward to participating in Fidelity's Corporate Social Responsibility program, as they are actively involved in volunteering locally and partnering with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club. 

Julia Tardugno 

Assumption University

Bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education 

After a brief summer break, Julia will jump back into classes as she pursues her master’s degree in Higher Education at Merrimack College! There, Julia will also work in the Office of Student Involvement as the Clubs and Organizations Graduate Fellow. In this role, Julia will assist students in partnering with groups that specialize in all forms of service to both the student body and the community beyond. She plans to continue to find ways to serve those who need it most after graduation as well, both through her work as an educator and as a human being. 

Klea Nito

University of Connecticut

Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences 

Minors in in Molecular & Cellular Biology and Physiology & Neurobiology 

Klea plans to begin work as a Certified Nurse Assistant in the adolescent unit of Yale Psychiatric Hospital this summer. She will also be studying for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and conducting research, and has recently published her first scientific article! At the same time, Klea and a team of colleagues are working to establish an organization that helps guide students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in science and medicine. The organization would work with students across several universities in Connecticut, and would be geared toward providing personalized assistance that gets into the details with each student, such as options for research labs and clinical opportunities. Klea also hopes they will be able to offer free MCAT tutoring in the future.   

Laura Brown 

Suffolk University

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design

With a BFA in Interior Design, Laura is ready to make an impact at an architecture or design firm in Boston. In her words, “I've always valued the built environment's power to influence the lives of others by improving their quality of life whether it be through providing shelter, enrichment, experiences, or aesthetics. Design can help enhance our society by improving our infrastructure to better meet the needs of the community and natural environment. As a designer, I aim to create spaces that provide for the community and enrich their lives.” 

Michael Santana

Assumption University

Bachelor of Arts in Criminology Pre-Law 



With an entrepreneurial spirit and drive, Michael has already started an e-commerce company, which he will now dedicate his time to post-graduation. To pay it forward, Michael hopes to be in a position to donate to scholarship funds such as the Phillips Scholarship Fund and the Efrosini Demoulas Scholarship in the coming years. In his own words, “eventually, I plan to create my own fund to allow students in the new generation to benefit from the help in the same way I had the privilege of experiencing.” 

Sarah Curley 

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Bachelor in Business Administration 

Concentration in Accounting 



Sarah graduated summa cum laude and has already started to work toward her Master of Science in Accounting. After a successful internship last summer, she will return to RSM US LLP in Boston as a full-time Audit Associate this fall. Sarah enjoyed engaging in several volunteer activities during her internship, and looks forward to continuing to engage with various communities through her work this year. She is also studying for CPA exams, and will continue to work toward her Master’s degree over the next couple of years.  

Sonika Dhakal 

Simmons University

Bachelor’s in Nursing  

Minor in Psychology 

After completing a rigorous nursing program at Simmons, Sonika is looking forward to applying the skills and knowledge she gained during clinicals by starting her career as a Registered Nurse at Beth Israel Deaconess Needham this summer. She is committed to serving her community by providing compassionate care and support to patients and their families. In addition, she plans to continue volunteering outside of work, focusing on health education and outreach programs. By combining her skills with volunteer efforts, Sonika intends to make a positive impact on public health and well-being.