Meet the Team

As the new Senior Director of Innovation Implementation, I am very excited to lead the Student Support Initiative at Northeastern University. Over the past 12 years, I led various departments in higher education including peer mentoring, academic support, disability services, academic coaching, and first year experience. My academic interests and doctoral research center around leadership, learning, metacognition, mindfulness, sense of belonging, and neurodiversity. My passion is learning about how people learn. My greatest joys are my two children in their mid-20s who live and work in Boston.

Grew up in Weymouth, Ma. She has a BA in Social Psychology and a CJ minor, and an MA in Applied Sociology, both from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She started her position as a Success Coordinator with SSI at Northeastern University in August of 2021, and really enjoys the culture and community of Northeastern. Outside of work she enjoys cooking, listening to music and spending time with friends and family.

Mackenzie grew up in Boston and Wilmington, MA. She graduated from the University of Massachusets Dartmouth with her B.S. in Organizational Leadership in Management. In May of 2021, she graduated from the University of Maine with her M.Ed. in Student Development in Higher Education. She is passionate about making sure that students have a successful transition into higher education. Mackenzie is a wicked big Patriots fan, and loves all things Disney.

Michael Buonocore (he/him) grew up in Newington, CT. He graduated from Endicott College with a B.S. in Psychology and graduated with his M.Ed from Salem State University.  Prior to joining the SSI team in August of 2022, Michael worked in residential life for 8 years, most recently as the Senior Associate Director at Bryant University. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as traveling as often as he can!

Melanie grew up in central New Jersey and moved to Boston for college. At Northeastern University, she earned her BS in Biology with a minor in Communications Studies. She is passionate about higher education, community organizing, and social/environmental justice. Outside of work, Melanie enjoys reading, writing, music, and nature.

Andrew grew up in eastern Massachusetts, before venturing off to western Massachusetts for college and spending some years in Seattle and Greensboro, North Carolina. At Northeastern as a Success Coordinator since the summer of 2021, he’s finally back in the Boston area, and excited at the opportunity to channel his passion for working with students into his work at SSI. When he’s not working, you can find him chowing down at one of the many wonderful Latin American restaurants in the city, belting out karaoke with his friends in Chinatown, or attending a concert of his favorite musical artist as they roll through town.

Julia grew up in Wilmington, MA and joined the Northeastern University community in August of 2021. Prior to Northeastern, she studied at Roger Williams University where she earned a B.A. in Psychology in May of 2018. Following Roger Williams, she received a M.Ed. in School Counseling at Springfield College, where she is licensed in the state of Massachusetts, as well as a member of the Chi Sigma Iota National Honor Society in Counseling. Outside of her professional life, she loves to go to the beach, play the ukulele, do some yoga, or cozy up with a good book and a lavender scented candle!

Grace grew up in Woodbury, Connecticut, before attending Emmanuel College here in Boston. She graduated with her B.A. in Sociology in 2021 and now calls Brookline, MA home. She is excited to be a Success Coordinator, and getting to support students from day one at Northeastern. Outside of work she enjoys trying new restaurants, watching TLC with her roommates, and when in Connecticut,  spending time with her families bulldog, Cookie.  

Lauren is originally from Lancaster, New York. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in International Business & Economics with minors in Marketing and Spanish from The College at Brockport. She then received her Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Student Affairs from The University at Buffalo. Lauren joined Northeastern in August of 2021. Outside of work, Lauren loves to spend time with friends and family and explore the greater Boston area.

Jenny (she/her) is from Boston, MA and graduated with her B.A. in Psychology from Simmons University in 2022. Currently, she is pursuing her M.Ed in Higher Education here at Northeastern. She joined Northeastern in the Summer 2022, initially working for NU’s Housing Services. Outside of work, she loves to try new restaurants in the Boston area and go shopping! 

Christina grew up in Andover, MA and joined Northeastern University as an undergraduate student in 2010. As a “double husky” she has earned her BS in Business Administration through the D’Amore-McKim School of Business and M.eD in Higher Education Administration through the College of Professional Studies. Outside of work, Christina enjoys being outside and spending time at her family home in Maine.

Christian joined the Student Support Initiative in the summer of 2022. Originally from the Boston area, Christian has been with Northeastern University for over four years where he worked in the Employer Engagement and Career Design Office. Christian received his B.S. in biology from Gordon College, he is also in the part-time MBA program at Northeastern University with a concentration in healthcare management. Christian is a big NFL,WWE and fantasy football fan. On the weekends you can find Christian golfing around New England and spending time with friends and family.

Born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina; meet Clarence Kitt III (TK). He has joined the Student Support Initiative in August of 2022. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics with a minor in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He decided to be a Husky after learning about the Student Support Initiative. His purpose in higher education is to help serve with helping first-generation and business students. In his spare time, TK enjoys playing basketball, making his own screenplays and playing with his Rubix cube.

Andrew grew up in Concord, Massachusetts and got his first job in education teaching English in Concord’s sister city of Nanae, Japan. He studied Theater and Philosophy at Goucher College and is currently a student at the College of Professional Studies. Outside of work he enjoys going to the theater and playing Dungeons & Dragons. 

Alexa grew up in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania but has been living in Boston for the past 4 years. She studied at Boston University where she earned her BA in Political Science. Currently, she is pursuing her M.Ed in Higher Education Administration here at Northeastern. Outside of work, Alexa enjoys exploring the city, baking, reading, and trying to find the best coffee and bagel combo in Boston.

Caitlyn grew up in the small town of Palmer, Massachusetts and graduated from Western New England University in 2019 with a B.A. in English Literature. She went on to work as a recruitment marketing specialist for two years before making the decision to return to higher education. She obtained her M.A. in Higher Education from the University of Michigan in 2022 and joined the SSI team in May of 2023. Caitlyn’s extracurricular experiences as an undergraduate student as well as her work at U-M have sparked her passion for supporting first year, transfer, and first-generation college students. In her free time, Caitlyn loves cooking, hiking, listening to true crime podcasts, and exploring the city.

Allie grew up in the suburban city of Woburn, about 10 miles from Boston. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2017 with a BS in Environmental Economics. Four years later, she attended Merrimack College and earned her M. Ed. in Higher Education. Outside of working with students, Allie loves cooking, hanging out with her friends, family, and her rescue dog, Millie Claire.

Hailing from the great Midwest, Emily has lived on the east coast for the last 4 years and joined Northeastern University in the summer of 2021. She studied political science and public health at Boston University prior to starting her career in higher education at NU. Emily can always be found walking into the office with her Dunkin iced coffee and a book to read on her commute in her bag.

Miguel was brought up between Lawrence, MA and his native Dominican Republic. He attended Lasell University, where me majored in Communications. Miguel has been working in Higher education since 2017 and joined the SSI program at Northeastern University this summer. Outside of work, Miguel enjoys being active and is a big fan of music and cinema.

Amanda grew up in San Ramon, California and joined Northeastern in 2021. She previously studied at Chapman University where she earned her BS in Chemistry with a minor in Nutrition. Amanda’s passions include health and wellness, fitness, and higher education. When she’s not working, Amanda can be found watching or attending Celtics or Red Sox games with family and friends.

Van is a Senior Associate Director supporting the Student Support Initiative. Van has been at Northeastern since 2011. She has worked at several departments and colleges across the University, primarily in Academic and Career Advising. She studied Health Psychology at MCPHS University and received her M.Ed. from Northeastern University. Outside of work, Van enjoys cooking, her Peloton and spending time with husband, son and daughter.

Sheerley Zinori (she/her) grew up in Brookline, MA. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College with a bachelor’s in History and graduated with her M.Ed from Boston University. Prior to joining the SSI team in September of 2022, Sheerley worked in study abroad for over 10 years, most recently as the Assistant Director of Enrollment Services at Boston University. Outside of work, she can be found exploring her new hometown of Salem, MA!