Volunteering throughout her student and professional career and striving to make higher education accessible

Meet Washington, D.C. Network and Alumni Board member Nicole Boschi ’07, ’10M (MS), ’14M (PhD)

Share a bit about yourself! What are you up to now?

I live in the Washington, D.C. area. I’m the director of regulatory affairs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

What are your most cherished memories from your time at the University of Rochester?

Between undergrad and grad school, I spent 10 years in Rochester! I like to think of Rochester as the perfect incubator to prepare you for life beyond the Genessee. I was challenged academically, gained confidence in my abilities, and thrived in the friendly atmosphere.

How did campus life and any co-curricular involvement (clubs, organizations, teams, etc.) impact your personal and professional growth?

As an undergrad, I was president of the Undergraduate Neuroscience Council. This was a great way to interact with fellow neuroscience students as well as with faculty.

What University resources or initiatives were most impactful to your next steps after graduating?

Right from the beginning of freshman orientation week, Rochester set the tone on the importance of volunteering in the community with Wilson Day. Volunteering was woven throughout my Rochester experience and as an alumna. In my career, I’ve worked for nonprofit organizations and I enjoy volunteering with the University in many different capacities – the First Generation Network, the mentoring program through Meliora Collective, the Women’s Network, and the Alumni Board

How did your experience at the University of Rochester influence your life?

My Rochester education gave me academic respect and credibility as well as the confidence to pursue a nontraditional career following my PhD. Also, after taking a class taught by Dean Burgett and hearing his stories of travel adventures, I was inspired to travel as much as possible and learn about different places and cultures. I currently have trips to Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand planned!

What sparked your initial interest in volunteering with the University? What role(s) have you held?

When I received my PhD, I knew that I wanted to give back to the Rochester community and be a resource for current students. As a first-generation college student, I initially had difficulty navigating academia. Now that I’m more established in my career, I want to be a resource to give current students and recent graduates a hand-up to start their careers. I’m newly appointed to the Alumni Board and, in that role, I look forward to ensuring that the Rochester experience is enriching and accessible to as many students as possible.

What advice do you have for fellow alumni and friends who may be interested in taking a more active role in our alumni and friends’ community?

There is a rewarding volunteer experience for everyone. If you like mentorship, join the Meliora Collective mentoring program. If you’re interested in community service projects, you can look into the Global Day of Service projects. There are so many ways to get involved that are rewarding and can fit into anyone’s schedule.

What’s the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

I loved being back on campus for the Volunteers in Partnership (VIP) Leadership Conference this June. It was so fun to spend time with fellow alumni, speak to current students, and see how the campus has evolved since my time there.