Paige Ritchie ’26
Criminal Justice | Pre-Law Track 
Minor in History, International Relations, and Political Science, Founder and President of the Mock Trial Club, Vice President of the Women’s Empowerment Club and the Serving Thy Dear Neighbor Club, and a member of the Women’s Lacrosse team, Paige Ritchie ’26 is making the most of her time at Regis and all the opportunities it offers.

"I chose Regis because I wanted an education where I felt like more than just a number—I wanted to be seen, supported, and challenged,” says Ritchie. “From the moment I connected with my professors and advisors, I knew I wasn’t just another student; I was someone they genuinely wanted to help succeed.”

Ritchie recalls being drawn to crime dramas and documentaries from a young age, which explored how society holds the guilty accountable while protecting the innocent.

“This early fascination with the justice system and understanding how society maintains order and fairness inspired me to pursue a career in criminal justice,” explains Ritchie. “I believe that by studying this field, I can help create a more just and equitable society while satisfying my intellectual curiosity about the legal world.”

During the fall semester of her junior year, Ritchie took on an internship at the Domestic Violence Services Network. This gave her firsthand experience in advocacy, from answering hotline calls to supporting survivors through legal processes. 

“The internship strengthened my ability to stay calm under pressure, engage with compassion, and understand the systemic barriers survivors face—reinforcing my passion for justice and policy change," says Ritchie. 

Through this hands-on learning experience, Ritchie has solidified her passion for advocacy and reshaped her career goals in a meaningful way. Not only did she gain valuable professional experience, but she found herself growing in unexpected ways. 

“This helped me develop emotional resilience while still being a compassionate advocate,” says Ritchie. "There were times I wished I could do more for survivors, and it was frustrating to see the gaps in resources and legal protections, but I learned to focus on what I could do—recognizing that even small acts of support, like listening, can make a real difference." 
 

Through these experiences, Ritchie gained a deeper understanding of the power of personal connection and the meaningful impact even small gestures can have on someone in need. 
“One particular story that stands out to me was helping my first client during my internship,” says Ritchie.

“Applying what I had learned in a real-life situation was incredibly rewarding—it didn’t feel like a job, but like helping a friend through a tough time. Knowing that simply listening was enough to make a difference showed me how impactful empathy can be.” Ritchie’s internship pushed her to grow in new ways, teaching her to be a more capable and empathetic advocate. After graduating in 2026, Ritchie plans to attend law school where she can continue making her mark in our justice system. 

Jonnie Charest ’26
Interdisciplinary Studies | Pre-Law Track 
Minor in Criminal Justice and Business Management

Jonnie Charest ’26 knew that Regis’ close-knit community and dedicated faculty would create a home where she could thrive. As captain of the indoor and outdoor track and field team, an honors student, and an orientation leader, she has embraced every opportunity to lead, both on and off the field. This supportive atmosphere has given Charest the confidence to take on new challenges.

In Fall 2024, she began an internship with TurnUp, a mission-driven youth organization that promotes civic engagement and social change—an opportunity that aligned with her passion for advocacy and making a meaningful impact. Charest had the chance to connect with youth in activism during a highly charged election season. 

"I connected with organizations, learned about the political climate and its impact on marginalized communities, and developed strong organizational skills while balancing school, sports, and social activities,” says Charest. “It was an eye-opening experience that reinforced my commitment to civic engagement and advocacy." 

Charest was trained in relational organizing for voter registration, learning how to use personal connections to encourage action. As part of TurnUp’s efforts, 186,000 young people were registered in key swing states, making a significant impact. 

“Although it was challenging at times to discuss tough issues like voter suppression and climate change, especially when others felt disconnected from these topics, I know the work paid off,” says Charest. “Despite facing negative reactions, the success of our outreach made the effort worthwhile when I saw the results of 230,000 young voters pledging to vote.” 

Through the tough conversations and challenges, Charest discovered her own resilience, which reaffirmed her career goals and provided a space to share her passion for advocating and fighting for justice.

"Working with mission-based youth to amplify civic engagement and social change was incredibly inspiring,” says Charest. “Regardless of the election outcome, I knew I had put in the effort to fight for those without the same privileges as I have and used my voice to highlight important social and political issues."

Charest is grateful to have had an internship that connected so closely to the core values that Regis lives by—caring for those without distinction — and helped teach her the importance of being a compassionate leader.

“This opportunity to get hands-on experience solidified my career goals for the future — to create a more just and compassionate society,” says Charest. “In times when the world feels overwhelming, knowing I could make even a small difference gave me peace and confidence to keep moving forward." 

Following in Their Footsteps 

Charest and Ritchie are following the path blazed by so many incredible Regis alumnae who have made significant contributions in the legal world. Among them is Giselle Rodriguez '16, who transformed her personal connection to immigration issues into a thriving law practice in Boston. 

"When I first started in a male-dominated field, I won’t lie—it was intimidating. There were moments when I doubted myself and wondered if I belonged, says Rodriguez. “But then I thought about Regis, where I realized that fear isn’t something to shy away from—it’s part of the journey." 

 Rodriguez credits Regis with giving her the confidence to step up and speak out, teaching her that true growth happens when you push yourself out of your comfort zone. 

“The skills I learned—both in the classroom and in life—are what truly set me apart, and that empathy and resilience shape who you are. Those are the qualities that will carry you through any challenge." 

Charest and Ritchie eagerly anticipate crossing the Commencement stage in May 2026, officially joining Regis’ proud network of over 20,000 alumni—a community built on nearly a century of empowering women to create meaningful change.