Suffolk University Partnership.
Of Partnerships and Passion.
chica project may never have gotten out of our initial 10-girls-in-a-car mentorship meetings 11 years ago, were it not for the longstanding partnerships we’ve forged.
Through connections cemented by shared values our partnerships propel us forward, fuel our drive , and, in so doing, help us change the lives of more and more chicas.
Sometimes a partner’s vision and path are so aligned with ours that we seem like we’re holding hands all along the lane. Suffolk University is extraordinary in its support of chica project. Our paths are connected in a multitude of profound and powerful ways. Board Member Carolina Comella was Director of Student Engagement at Suffolk. Our Leadership Team has deep Suffolk roots with alumni from Suffolk at the helm. Suffolk professors, Carmen Veloria, Ed.D. and Debra Harkins, Ph.D, wrote the “Chicas in Bloom” curriculum, which laid the foundation of our Programs. Suffolk opens doors for chica project figuratively—and quite literally—as we often execute training and programming on campus.
Suffolk University has an enduring commitment to nurturing scholars from various backgrounds, cultures, races, ethnicities, countries of origin, ability statuses, religions, genders, gender expressions, sexual orientations, and life experiences. Each year during Commencement week they honor these graduating students and their allies at the 1913 Graduation Celebration, an event saluting Suffolk’s rich diversity.
Suffolk’s annual 1913 Graduation Celebration is named in honor of the first student of Color to graduate from Suffolk: Thaddeus Alexander Kitchener of Kingston, Jamaica. It has been held every year since its inception in 2013, the centennial anniversary of Kitchener’s graduation.
Our very own Lina Cañon, Director of Finance and Operations, who also serves as Vice President of the Suffolk College of Arts & Sciences Alumni Board, was the Keynote Speaker at this year’s 1913 Celebration.
We want all chica project participants—in fact, all chicas everywhere!—to hear Lina’s poignant words of joy, gratitude and commitment to advancing Thaddeus’ “ripples of impact.”
Washington Post columnist, Sarah MacLean, noted that “the best partnerships aren’t dependent on a mere common goal but on a shared path of equality, desire, and no small amount of passion.”
It is with that passion—in buckets full—that we thank Suffolk University for their continued, unwavering support.
And we share Lina’s hard-earned lesson, wisdom borne from the toils and challenges (and opportunity) of being the first in her family to go to college, to work a salaried position, to grow generational wealth.
“Fulfillment does not come in comparison to others, but in assurance of yourself and your purpose.” — Lina Cañon.
