Susan K. Tellier Wins Mass. Unsung Heroine Award

Nichols College's Own Unsung Heroine,
Susan K. Tellier, Wins Massachusetts Award

Susan K. Tellier has been awarded the 2008 Unsung Heroine of Massachusetts Award for her leadership role in launching The START Conference for youth leadership on the Nichols College campus in Dudley, Mass. As Vice President of Administration at Nichols, Tellier has been a force in promoting the use of the campus for summer community programs that make a difference. She will be recognized in a ceremony at the State House in Boston on May 14th.

As chief business officer for Nichols College since 1998, Tellier is responsible for accounting, investments, human resources, public safety, facilities management, physical plant, food service and postal service. Under her leadership, she has helped to restore the College to financial stability after years of operating deficit and to finance the construction of new buildings.

Prior to joining Nichols College, Tellier was vice president for finance and operations for Lamar University, vice president and treasurer for Wells College, and served in various capacities at the University of Virginia. In addition, Tellier was an auditor with National Bank and Trust Company and Ernst & Young and a management engineering officer in the United States Air Force.

Tellier holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts and an M.B.A. with a concentration in accounting from the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business. She is licensed member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Tellier is a resident of Webster, Mass.

THE START CONFERENCE

The START Conference is a two-day residential experience for New England's high school freshmen, including all meals, lodging and materials. Identity building, team building, situational leadership, ethics and goal setting are exercises completed at the Conference.

The first START Conference 2007 was a huge success with over 90 delegates from 86 New England high schools participating! The second Conference, scheduled for June 8-9, 2008, will feature guest speakers from the community including: Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong; District Attorney Joe Early, Jr.; WBZTV Chief Correspondent Ron Sanders; and Massachusetts State Representative Karyn E. Polito. Nichols alumni speaking include CFO of New York Life Investment Management David Bedard, Principal of Baer Architecture Group Brian Baer, and Account Executive of Protector Group Insurance Agency, Inc. Ryan Fasold.

Student leaders may still register for the START Conference by contacting their high school principal or guidance counselor for registration information before the April 15th, 2008 deadline. Each high school may nominate one person and an alternate. For more information, please contact the Student Leadership Training Program at 1-800-600-7223.