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With accomplished entrepreneurs as parents, Taylor Shaughnessy ’22 grew up immersed in shop talk each night at the dinner table, from business planning and finance to sales and marketing strategy. When she was ready to evaluate colleges, a first-class business program was among her top criteria, as she too envisions a career as a business owner after graduation.

“I knew I wanted to study business and that I work best in a small classroom setting. I wanted a school that could ensure I would have one-on-one time with professors, and I like the ability to ask questions frequently in class or get any additional support,” says the Plymouth native. “I also wanted to stay close to home and my family so that on any given weekend, I could buzz home. Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø was a perfect fit.”

As an award-winning member of the DECA program in high school, it wasn’t long before the Business Administration major helped form the . In their first year, the new group qualified for the DECA International Career Development Conference, which gathers roughly 1,500 Collegiate DECA members from all over the world in a series of business simulations. Taylor placed third in the qualifying tournament. She says the Chapter’s faculty mentor Dr. John DiCicco, also her advisor, has been instrumental in her success at the College.

“Professor DiCicco is one of the best professors I’ve ever had because he goes beyond teaching terms and facts in class but also incorporates valuable life lessons,” she says. “He creates a very welcoming environment in his classroom where you feel comfortable asking questions and speaking up.”

Through the College, Taylor has found opportunities to serve as a volunteer at Rosie’s Place, a local women’s shelter, and she also works part-time as a teacher’s aide at a local elementary school. “Since I’ve started volunteering at the Nathanial Morton Elementary School, I am now considering opening up my own preschool after graduating. I love the idea of getting to be a business owner but also creating a safe and exciting learning environment for children.”

From her favorite business courses to football games and Spring Weekend, Taylor says Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø provides the perfect blend of academics and student life.

“Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø has introduced me to some of my best friends and helped me grow so much as a person. In just a few years, I feel as though Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø has helped me mature and blossom as a strong and hardworking young adult,” she says. “The relaxed and friendly community at Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø also allows you to easily balance your studies while also getting involved in sports and extracurriculars as well as having a fun and exciting social life. It may be intimidating trying new things and meeting new people, but it helps you grow so much as a person.”