Meet Boston Young Alumni Council Member Jackie Meyer ’18

What Jackie is up to now and reflecting on her time at the University

Tell us a little about yourself and what you’ve been up to since graduating from the Ģ����ý in 2018.

After graduating in 2018, I moved to Denver, CO and worked as an actuary for a health insurance company. I spent about three years there before deciding to travel and work remotely for a year. I spent some time driving around the U.S., and a bit of time in Paris. When I came back, I moved to Boston. What originally began as a short-term plan to be close to college friends and family for a few months has somehow turned into a couple of years of happiness! Now, I’m a data scientist, a potter, a painter, and very happy to still be spending every day with friends and family.

What are some of your fondest memories from your time at Rochester, and how have they influenced your journey post-graduation?

I feel like I have too many to even choose! I always look back so fondly on my first summer of college, which I spent living and working on campus as an Orientation Leader. During that summer I made some of the best friendships I’ve ever had in my life and came to really really love the city of Rochester.

Volunteerism and making an impact

What inspired you to get involved with the Young Alumni Council (YAC), and what has been the most rewarding part of your experience?

I was inspired to get involved with the YAC after I reconnected with some of my college advisors during the “Welcome to Boston” alumni event in the fall. After connecting with so many familiar faces at the event, and since I absolutely love event planning, I figured that the YAC would be a great avenue to build community for myself and other Rochester alumni in the Boston area!

Check out the Young Alumni Council website and .

As a member of the Young Alumni Council, how do you see the role of young alumni in shaping the future of the University community?

I visited Rochester in 2023 when my sister was attending. It was my first time back since graduation. Walking around campus, I kept expecting to see familiar faces, reminding me that while the campus is beautiful, it’s the people who make the experience special. The friendships formed in college extend far beyond those four years, and I’m lucky to now call fellow University alumni in Boston some of my closest friends—even those I didn’t know during college. Young alumni play a vital role in keeping this sense of community alive, helping new graduates transition into post-college life.

What initiatives or events have you been most excited to be a part of through your involvement with YAC?

Also so hard to choose! Boston YAC events are so fun to plan. I think some of my favorites have been the Dandelion Day (D-Day) event in the spring or the Welcome to Boston event in the fall. Usually, for D-Day, we do a fun activity or some type of bar or restaurant space, like SPIN (to play ping-pong) or Cheeky Monkey.

In the fall we try to do something ‘quintessential Boston’, like a boat tour or a Fenway tour. I just love having different events to try around the city, and I get so excited to see other young alumni enjoying the events or activities. I feel proud of how many different places we’ve gotten to check out, especially when friends from other schools say they are a little jealous of how many cool events we get to do.

The Rochester alumni community in Boston is highly active, with events every few months that provide great opportunities to reconnect and build relationships. A favorite event is the annual New Year’s gathering at iconic venues like museums, offering a fun chance to dress up and connect with alumni across generations. Meeting alumni from different eras fosters a strong sense of community and shared experiences.

Check out the Boston Regional Network on and .

What goals do you have for your continued involvement with the University and the Young Alumni Council and Boston regional events?

My goal is to keep building a strong community through events and continue welcoming new young alumni into the Boston network. The best way to do this is by exploring new experiences that excite long-time residents while maintaining cherished traditions and annual events.

I’m excited to see our alumni community grow and thrive in Boston and beyond, with more cities becoming engaged University communities. Having lived in different places and traveled to visit old friends, I love seeing alumni reconnect with their University roots and keep the Meliora spirit alive through vibrant events and social gatherings.

How to get involved like Jackie

What advice would you give to recent graduates who are looking to stay engaged with the University and their fellow alumni?

I’d definitely recommend starting with social media or the websites if you’re not sure where to start. The alumni website and have all the information you could possibly want about things going on in your city (and I’m always impressed by just how many places we’re engaged in!).

If you’re unsure about attending an event and want to see if you know anyone going, check the registration page for a list of attendees. And don’t hesitate to go alone! Some of my closest lifelong friends are people I met by attending events solo, and I’ve even reconnected with old friends I had lost touch with simply by showing up.

Also, just ask nicely!! This applies to a lot of things I think, but sometimes just by asking nicely you can start to find or make communities. In Denver, a friend and I learned that the owner of a local brunch spot was a University alumnus. We asked if we could come by and have brunch and meet him, texted a few other Rochester folks that we hadn’t seen in a while, and all met up for brunch at his restaurant. This turned into a weekly brunch get-together for the first year that I lived there. It all just started with a quick email to ask nicely if folks were open to connecting.

Check out volunteer opportunities with the University today!

Meet Bay Area Young Alumni Council Member, 5th Reunion Committee Volunteer, and Women’s Summit Committee Volunteer Ananya Goyal ’20

What Ananya has been up to and reflecting on her time at the University

Share a bit about yourself! What are you up to now, both personally and professionally?

I am originally from New Delhi, India, and currently a fifth-year PhD. student in bioengineering at Stanford University. My research focuses on developing advanced medical imaging techniques to gain a deeper understanding of joint function, with the goal of uncovering the mechanisms behind osteoarthritis progression and identifying sources of pain for more targeted clinical treatments.

Outside of school, I love traveling, cooking, and discovering new restaurants and cafes. Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Japan! I also cherish spending quality time with friends and family, whether it’s going to rock/pop concerts (I can’t wait to see Coldplay in May!), embarking on jungle safaris, or simply relaxing by the beach.

What are your most cherished memories from your time at the URochester, and how did your involvement on campus shape your experience?

My time at the URochester was a period of personal growth. Some of my most cherished memories include experiencing snow for the first time in a snowball fight, late-night study sessions at Gleason Library, and bonding with friends over countless Starbucks visits. These relationships remain central to my life today, including my four-year roommate, with whom I still take annual birthday trips.

Involvement on campus also played a huge role in shaping my experience. As a Meridian and Student Alumni Ambassador, I deepened my connection with the university community. Mentoring biomedical engineering students as a peer advisor was especially rewarding, allowing me to guide them through academics and career opportunities. My engagement helped me build a strong network of friends, mentors, and peers, enriching both my personal and professional growth.

Volunteerism and making an impact

What inspired you to volunteer with the Young Alumni Council (YAC) and the 5th Reunion Committee, and what has been the most rewarding aspect of helping plan events for your 5th Reunion?

My time at the URochester was deeply meaningful and joining the Young Alumni Council and the 5th Reunion Committee felt like a natural way to stay connected. I built lifelong friendships, grew personally and professionally, and developed a strong bond with the Rochester community. Volunteering now allows me to expand my network and help others maintain that connection.

I’m especially excited about serving on the 5th Reunion Committee because the Class of 2020 graduated during the height of the pandemic, missing out on traditional celebrations. This reunion offers a chance to reconnect, reflect, and celebrate in person, and I’m thrilled to help create a memorable experience that brings us all together.

With the Women’s Summit in March quickly approaching, what excites you most about this event? How do you see it as an opportunity to empower alumnae and foster meaningful connections across the University community?

I’m excited about the Women’s Summit, March 27-29, 2025, because it brings together a diverse group of alumnae to celebrate women’s achievements and foster meaningful conversations about leadership, growth, and career development. As a young alumna, I’m eager to learn from senior alumnae in academia, industry, and medicine, gaining insights to help me navigate challenges and continue growing in my career. This event offers a chance to connect, share experiences, and build a strong network of mentors and friends.

What lessons have you gained from your leadership roles, and what are some of your favorite experiences as a volunteer?

From my leadership roles, I’ve learned the power of community-building and the deep connection alumni have to the URochester. Creating spaces for alumni to reconnect and support each other has reinforced the idea of a lifelong, supportive network. I’ve also gained valuable skills in adaptability, communication, and collaboration—working with diverse groups of alumni, staff, and volunteers to create meaningful, inclusive events.

Some of my favorite volunteer experiences include the “Welcome to the Network” socials, where we meet new alumni, often at breweries, tourist attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf, or even fun activities like a chocolate truffle-making class. I also look forward to the annual holiday party. I’m also excited to attend Broadway’s Back to the Future show this quarter!

Check out the California Regional Network pages including Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco on our alumni website.

As part of the Bay Area Young Alumni Council, how have you helped foster community and connections among alumni on the West Coast?

Having moved to the Bay Area during the pandemic, my focus as a member has been to strengthen our community-focused programs. I’ve led several Global Days of Service projects, such as making cards for hospitalized children and volunteering at a community farm. On the social and networking side, I’ve been involved in organizing events in San Francisco, helping to expand and grow our network.

Check out the Bay Area’s and , as well as the Young Alumni Council’s .

How to get involved like Ananya

What advice would you give to recent graduates looking to stay connected with the University and their alumni network?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Transitioning from the University bubble to the real world can feel overwhelming, but the alumni network is a great way to stay connected and supported beyond graduation. The Rochester community is filled with passionate and helpful alumni who are eager to connect, whether they graduated recently or decades ago. Taking the initiative to attend an event or reach out to fellow alumni can open doors to valuable relationships and opportunities.

The university offers a wide range of events and networking opportunities that you might not even be aware of. So, stay informed and get involved. You never know—you might meet future friends, mentors, or even professional connections along the way.

Check out volunteer opportunities with the University today!

Meet Chicago Black Alumni Network Member, Philanthropy Committee Member, and Class of 2020 Reunion Volunteer Eugene Nichols III ’20

What Eugene is up to now and reflecting on his time at the University

Share a bit about yourself and what you’ve been up to since graduating from the URochester.

Since graduating from Rochester, I’ve been heavily involved in the compliance industry, working as an investment compliance analyst at Northern Trust in Chicago. I believe that the compliance industry is a great segway into law which I hope to pursue in the future as a securities attorney. Moreover, I’d love to pursue pro bono work in the civil rights sector as well.

In my spare time, I’ve been enjoying Stranger Things! I never truly watched the series and spent the entirety of my time off during the holidays binging it. I also love hanging out with family and friends in my spare time as well.

What are your most cherished memories from your time at the University? Are there specific moments or people that stand out?

My most cherished memory from Rochester would certainly be the Early Connection Opportunity Program (ECO). ECO allowed me the opportunity to come to Rochester a month early, assimilate to campus life, and meet so many friends early on. The experience was a catalyst for my success as a student. Additionally, without the support of individuals like Thomas Crews, Sasha Eloi ’05, ’17W (EdD), and Dean Norman Burgett, I would not have exponentially grown both professionally and personally as a student.

How did your time at Rochester shape your personal and professional growth?

My experiences as a student leader, as well as my experiences socially, shaped my personal and professional growth. Managing an array of different responsibilities for student clubs, on campus jobs, and academics taught me how to manage my time more effectively, make an impact, and lead others with compassion. My most rewarding experiences at Rochester would definitely be the Meridian Society, Student Alumni Ambassadors Program, Minority Male Leadership Association, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. All of these experiences shaped me throughout my time at Rochester, and I couldn’t be more thankful for all the skills I sharpened and gained.

Volunteerism and making an impact

What inspired you to get involved with the Black Alumni Network, and how has that experience been for you?

I would not be a part of the Black Alumni Network (BAN) had it not been for Vice President of Alumni and Constituent Engagement Karen Chance Mercurius motivating me to do so! She has always been a source of guidance for me at Rochester, and her push for me to pursue leadership in the BAN is why I am indebted to it today. It’s been amazing connecting with so many African American alumni, while intentionally making strides to better bridge the connection between our undergraduate and alumni African American community as well.

How do you see your role as a volunteer contributing to strengthening the sense of community among Black alumni?

Hopefully, my engagement as a Reunion volunteer will strengthen the amount of African American alumni who return for Meliora Weekend. This is my first year being a part of Reunion planning! This is my class year’s 5th year reunion, so I’m excited to reunite with my classmates this fall. I believe that Rochester has so many resources as an institution and coming to Meliora Weekend is a great way to reconnect with one another, gain insights on how the University could be of assistance to your personal and professional endeavors while reliving your college memories all over again!

Reconnecting with classmates is always rewarding because you can see how much you all have changed over the years. Meeting alumni is amazing because you oftentimes find similarities between the both of you rather quickly. I believe that Rochester students and alumni all have the same spark—there’s a strong desire to win and achieve that we all possess. Also, most of the time, we’re quite eclectic! Finding those similarities can be both funny and satisfying all at the same time.

Celebrating a Reunion this year or want to see what you can look forward to in the future? Check out the Reunion website!

Are there any specific goals or projects you’re passionate about advancing through your involvement with the Black Alumni Network?

The Black Alumni Network granted two to students last year which I really was happy about! Strengthening the connection between Black undergraduates and Black alumni is something I also look forward to as well. With groups like the Black Students’ Union and Douglass Leadership House, both of which I was a part of as a student, I think that there is a lot of opportunity for alumni to give back and pour into our current students.

Are there specific alumni events or initiatives in Chicago that you’ve enjoyed or feel have strengthened the local University network?

Attending Regional Alumni events is a great start to getting active as an alumnus of Rochester! Whether you are in a city with a large or small number of alumni, there is always someone from Rochester who you can connect with; leveraging those connections and showing up I believe is the first step.

Events I really enjoyed would be the Boundless Possibility Event in April of last year! I was fortunate enough to speak on my Rochester experience at the event and meet so many Chicago Regional Network alumni. The experience was really rewarding, and I’m looking forward to more events on that scale in the future! Our is also very active! I love the events that they put on and attend them frequently.

Check out volunteer opportunities with the University today!