Benchikhi Completes Intensive Capstone Research Project
Youssef Benchikhi, a member of the class of 2025 majoring in Computer Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), recently completed a senior thesis that is required of all graduating seniors as part of the university’s distinctive project-based educational experience. Youssef’s Major Qualifying Project (MQP), a research-driven, professional-level project that challenges students to solve the kinds of problems they would typically encounter in their professional discipline, was titled “Recommendation System for Event Planning”.
“It’s inspiring to see the creativity and skills that our students bring to these projects, as well as the professionalism with which they present their research,” says Arne Gericke, interim dean of undergraduate studies and director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. “Their experience managing a major project like this-including identifying a problem and researching all of the implications and possible solutions while also managing team dynamics over an extended period of several months-sets them up well for success not only in their first jobs after graduation but throughout their careers.”
WPI’s innovative undergraduate education is centered around project-based learning, a hands-on approach that offers students opportunities to apply their scientific and technical knowledge to real-world, open-ended problems. These projects produce tangible results that affect the quality of people’s lives, an experience that changes both the student and their world.
MQPs are usually team-based and often focus on specific issues or needs of an organization that has partnered with the university to sponsor the students’ work. In addition to providing practical work experience that proves valuable to future employers, MQPs often lead to publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at regional and national conferences, patents, and entrepreneurial ventures. Others become useful innovations and products for their corporate sponsors.
Benchikhi Receives Bachelor’s Degree
On Friday, May 16, Youssef Benchikhi, who majored in Computer Science, was bestowed a bachelor’s degree at WPI’s 156th Commencement. Nearly 1,300 undergraduate degrees were awarded during the ceremony.
President Grace J. Wang, PhD, and Board of Trustees Chair William Fitzgerald presided over the exercises.
Wang told members of the Class of 2025 they are entering a changing world filled with competing visions for how to solve challenges and advance society. But, she said, along with knowledge and technical competence in their chosen fields of study, WPI graduates have been equipped with the ability to think critically, to be resilient, to work in teams, and to do it all with a sense of ethics and global responsibility.
“Outside these walls today is a world that needs you,” Wang said. “Not just because of what you have learned to do in your chosen field, but because of who you are, and also because of the leadership qualities you built at WPI.”
Lopez Martinez Named to Dean’s List.
Regis announces Melisa Lopez Martinez of Winthrop met academic requirements to be named to the university’s spring 2025 Dean’s List, in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements. To earn a spot on the Dean’s List, Regis students must earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher; first-year students must have a GPA of 3.25 or higher.
“The Dean’s List recognizes students who demonstrated dedication to their degree program in the spring semester,” said Dr. Mary Erina Driscoll, PhD, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Throughout a student’s academic journey, the Regis curriculum challenges students to ask insightful questions in their pursuit of the truth. The university community congratulates Melisa for being named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2025 semester.”
Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph nearly a century ago, Regis challenges, inspires, and supports students who are driven by passion, purpose, and a pursuit to positively impact the world within a learning community that embraces inclusivity and innovation and builds strong character, confidence, and careers.
Sullivan named to Dean’s List
Lillian Sullivan, a Lasell University student from Winthrop, was named to the Dean’s List for their academic performance in the Spring 2025 semester.
To be named to the Dean’s List, Lasell students must complete at least 12 credits as a full-time student and achieve a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Residents Named to Dean’s List
Saint Anselm College has released the Dean’s List of high academic achievers for the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year. To be eligible for this honor, a student must have achieved a grade point average of 3.4 or better in the semester with at least 12 credits of study which award a letter grade. This semester there were a total of 674 students from 22 states and 4 countries.
Mark W. Cronin, Dean of the College, announced that the following student has been named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2025 semester at Saint Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire:
Ava Beshere, of Winthrop who is majoring in Nursing
Local Residents Named to Dean’s List
Maddie Rossi was recently named to the Dean’s List at the College of William & Mary for the spring 2025 semester:
In order to achieve Dean’s List status, a full-time degree seeking undergraduate student must take at least 12 credit hours and earn a 3.6 Quality Point Average during the semester.
William & Mary is the second oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.
Residents on Dean’s List at URI
The University of Rhode Island is pleased to announce that several area students have been named to its Spring 2025 Dean’s List. Among them are:
• Sage Calinda of Winthrop
• Brookie Costin of Winthrop
• Summer Tallent of Winthrop
To be included on the Dean’s List, full-time students must have completed 12 or more credits for letter grades which are GPA applicable during a semester and achieved at least a 3.30 quality point average. Part-time students qualify with the accumulation of 12 or more credits for letter grades which are GPA applicable earning at least a 3.30 quality point average.
Students named to the Dean’s List represent nearly all of Rhode Island’s cities and towns, all six New England states, New York and New Jersey, and many other states and countries.
Local student earns Dean’s List recognition at Norwich University
The following student has been recognized on the Dean’s List at Norwich University for the Fall 2024 semester:
• Sara DeGennaro, Winthrop
Full-time undergraduate students, who earned a semester grade point average of at least 3.40 are awarded Dean’s List honors.
Carrillo named to Lasell University Spring 2025 Dean’s List
Camryn Carrillo, a Lasell University student from Winthrop, was named to the Dean’s List for their academic performance in the Spring 2025 semester.
To be named to the Dean’s List, Lasell students must complete at least 12 credits as a full-time student and achieve a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher.