At Convocation, students prompted to lead with purpose
“There’s a place for everyone at Nichols, across all facets of your journey. Because at Nichols, you—our students—are at the center of everything we do,” said Nichols President Bill Pieczynski in his remarks during the College’s annual Convocation ceremony.
Members of the Nichols College community gathered on Wednesday, August 27, to formally welcome first-year students to campus during its annual Convocation ceremony. The tradition marks the official opening of the academic year and the beginning of the new students’ educational journey.
Just prior to the ceremony, the incoming class was greeted with applause from hundreds of upperclassmen, faculty and staff lining the walkway as all first-year students processed over Budleigh Hill toward the Athletic Center, where the ceremony was held—a tradition known as “clapping in” the new class.
The ceremonial proceedings included a greeting by Student Government President Kaitlin Baca ’26; an invocation by the Rev. Joseph Shea; messages of welcome and support by Provost Dan Borgia, who served as master of ceremonies, and Dean of Students Alex Cross; remarks by President Pieczynski; and a keynote address by alumnus Jose Lora ’06, who currently works as a business operations analyst at Navy Federal Credit Union. First-year students also recited the Bison Creed, a pledge of community values.
“You are arriving at an important time in our history and at a moment of great opportunity within higher education. All around you are signs of the College’s enduring strengths, resilience and ability to change,” Pieczynski told the students. “At places like Nichols, well known for our personal connections, we will continue to work tirelessly to juggle the opportunities of an AI-centric world with the wonders of a close-knit community. We know we can do both—and you will help us do it.”
He described the Nichols student body for the incoming students, recounting how a campus survey last year revealed that the one attribute Nichols students most often used to describe themselves was “competitive.” But it’s a kind of competitiveness that lifts each other up.
Said Pieczynski, offering an example, “As one student said to me, ‘My peers challenge me to be the best version of myself, in so many ways. Here, we do our best work together because no one wants to let anyone else down.’”
He also highlighted the College’s academic approach, which embraces hands-on, experiential learning. “You will strengthen your resume and graduate from Nichols prepared for whatever lies ahead,” said Peiczynski, citing opportunities such as leadership roles, internships, semester-long research or consulting projects, and more.
Baca, a marketing major and communications minor, provided a student’s perspective.
“When I was first sitting where you are now, I thought I had an idea of what college would look like. I imagined classes, late night studying and maybe meeting a few new people. What I didn’t imagine was just how much Nichols would shape me, not only as a student, but as a leader, a teammate and a person,” said Baca, noting her gratitude for experiences in student government, as captain of the varsity women’s golf team, and in challenging classroom projects.
“Say yes to opportunities that scare you a little,” she advised. “You might just discover a passion, a team or a community that changes your life in ways you can’t yet imagine.”
Speaking as an alumnus, Jose Lora ’06 shared a personal takeaway he gained from the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. “The author suggests that to become the person you want to be, you need to cast votes for that identity through small, consistent actions,” said Lora, noting that the start of college is an ideal time to align goals with this mindset.
“Think about that person you want to be. Set up parameters that will allow you to start casting votes,” urged Lora, adding that staying involved on campus can offer rich opportunities for progress.
He also spoke from experience as a hiring manager about the importance of such a mindset for landing their first job.
“After leading teams for over 15 years, I have seen hundreds of resumes and conducted many interviews and extended many offers. […] Today, this week, this month, is the best time to start preparing for that role. This will be true for the rest of time. You need to prepare and network for the role you want—before it gets posted.”
In closing, Lora said, “What better time to start than now by being active participants in this journey that we call life and going ‘all in’ on the things we say are important to us.”
For a Flickr album of photos from the ceremony, please visit here.
(Pictured in story photo, left to right: Kaitlin Baca ’26, Allison Silliman ’26, Provost Dan Borgia, Angelina Coletti ’27, Malik Bel-Jean ’28.)
About Nichols College
Nichols College has earned business accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools and the largest business education network connecting learners, educators, and businesses worldwide. Founded in 1815, Nichols College transforms today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders through a dynamic, career-focused business and professional education. Nichols offers real-world learning focused on professional depth – combined with vibrant living, competitive athletics, and an unmatched alumni advantage – equipping students to exceed their own expectations. To learn more about Nichols College, visit www.nichols.edu.
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