Ariana McCormack ’20
Presidential Catholic Scholar


Ariana McCormack Among the first things that Ariana McCormack ’20 noticed about the Regis campus were friendly faces and students wearing Regis Pride gear. “Students loved to be here and I wanted to have that same kind of college experience.”

The full-tuition Presidential Catholic Scholarship gave her the opportunity to do that—and it is not something that McCormack takes lightly. “I am committed to give my all in everything I do— whether it is in the classroom, on the tennis court, or through volunteering and being involved as a student leader.”

For McCormack, a Communications major with a pre-law concentration and a Writing minor, words and leadership skills are important pieces of her career preparation. “Through my work inside and outside of the classroom, I’ve grown as a public speaker and identified my strengths and weaknesses.”

Communications faculty member Naomi Kooker teamed up with McCormack to help plan a co-curricular event at Regis called “Free Write, No Wrong or Right.” Colleen Malachowski, PhD, director of both the master’s in organizational and professional communication and the bachelor’s in communication, and the Carole Remick Endowed Chair, is also a mentor to McCormack.

“Professor Malachowski has encouraged me to get involved on campus and has recommended me for internships within the Greater Boston area,” says McCormack, who completed internships at AbbVie pharmaceutical company in Worcester, Massachusetts, and at the Association of Colleges of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

McCormack plans to enroll in Regis’ “Finish in Five” program—a track that will allow her to earn both her bachelor and master’s degrees in communications in just five years. Then she plans to attend law school and enlist in the military as a JAG (Judge Advocate General) Officer.

In the meantime, McCormack has not wavered on her commitment to “give her all” to Regis. Among her many extracurricular activities: She serves as a Pride Guide student tour guide and is editor-in- chief of Regis Life, a student-focused digital communication platform. In October 2017, she was elected as communication coordinator for the Student Government Association Executive Board. McCormack says, “Since coming to Regis, I have found out more about myself not only as a student, but as a leader and advocate for the community.”

Profile by Kristen Walsh
Photos by Holly Redmond