Student Profiles—Admission Homepage

“Coming to Suffolk, I felt like I had the resources and the ability to succeed. I’m going into a field that will uplift my family—something I’m passionate about.”

When Ryan Fayyaz Ardityo, Class of 2027, transferred to Suffolk from a community college in Seattle, he could have played it safe. Instead, the marketing major from Jakarta, Indonesia, made a bold move, running for a seat in the Student Government Association (SGA) even though he was a brand-new Ram. “My biggest fear was that no one was going to choose me,” he admits. “But I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this.” When the results came in, Ryan earned over 400 votes and has served as an SGA senator ever since. That drive has set the tone for his time at Suffolk. As a semifinalist in a Boston Globe student competition, Ryan helped build a website and campaign to get younger audiences engaged with the news. He’s also taken on roles as an orientation leader, trustee ambassador, and member of the SGA’s public relations committee. And in fall 2026, he’ll bring his marketing acumen to SEED, the University’s prestigious cross-functional consulting clinic. “I really love seeing myself as an extrovert,” Ryan says, “and that is who I am here.” Although Ryan is proud to represent Suffolk’s international community, he doesn’t want to be defined by that alone. In fact, he's inspired by everything Suffolk has to offer. “I don’t see myself as an individualist,” he says. “I love gaining ideas from other people. I am part of the Suffolk family.”

JOYCE LUKELO Law Major, Black Studies Minor Class of 2029

Bryan Mendez Media & Film Major, Black Studies Minor Class of 2028

“People always say they step outside the box, but they might’ve only dipped their toe. I’ve been able to jump out of the entire box here at Suffolk and experience so much.”

Gianna Missiti Criminal Justice and Psychology Double Major Class of 2027

“I do a little bit of everything and it’s great, because I’m able to gather all my interests and create one big community.”

Ryan Fayyaz Ardityo Marketing Major Class of 2027

“I don’t see myself as an individualist—I love gaining ideas from other people. I am part of the Suffolk family.”

BETTING ON HIMSELF

Gianna Missiti, Class of 2027, has learned that success at Suffolk comes down to one thing: relationships. Working closely with her “amazing” project advisor, Professor Jessica Gillooly, on her honors podcast about the school-to-prison pipeline, Gianna—a criminal justice and psychology double major from Bedford, Massachusetts—did exactly what current students always tell incoming Rams to do. “Everyone says, ‘Oh, get to know your professors,’” she notes. “But then when you actually do, you’re like, ‘Wow, this is why people tell you to!’” That enthusiasm animates Gianna’s involvement with the Honors Program. In fact, she’ll step into the role of Honors Council vice president her senior year. This November, she’s heading to New Orleans to present her podcast project at the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference. For Gianna, the Honors Program is about more than academic credentials. “It’s about the resources it provides, the leadership opportunities, and the fact that I’m able to go on this trip,” she explains. “One of my favorite things is the community.” Community-building is Gianna’s superpower. As cofounder of Move It or Lose It, a women’s fitness club, she’s helped grow the group from six members to over 100 in under a year, organizing everything from wellness walks to puppy yoga classes. She’s also a key member of Suffolk’s softball team. Gianna’s found her winning formula: “I do a little bit of everything and it’s great, because I’m able to gather all my interests and create one big community.”

A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING

For Joyce Lukelo, Class of 2029, the Massachusetts State House’s golden dome is her guiding light. “Sometimes if I woke up early enough, the sun would be shining on it,” says the Quincy, Massachusetts native, recalling the epic view from her freshman year residence hall. She still passes the State House on her walk to class, a reminder that gives this law major and Black Studies minor “that extra motivation” to pursue her dream of one day working there. Joyce has come a long way since she arrived at Suffolk. As a first-generation student, she was “honestly nervous” for college. Those jitters melted away as she found her groove in downtown Boston. “Coming to Suffolk, I felt like I had the resources and the ability to succeed,” Joyce says. “I’m going into a field that will uplift my family—something I’m passionate about.” That transformation hasn’t gone unnoticed back home. “They see me times ten,” Joyce says of her family, who proudly watch her serving in student government, leading orientation, and pursuing a legal internship with growing confidence. “At Suffolk, there are so many experiences and opportunities around us, as long as we’re willing to look for them and learn from them,” she says. “I try to do that every single day.”

A VIEW WORTH CHASING

For Bryan Mendez, Class of 2028, strong visuals matter. That’s what inspired him to declare his major in media and film. And why he never forgot the Suffolk University logo on the hoodie his mom bought him in seventh grade. When it was time to fill out the Common Application, Suffolk’s name stood out to him. “I think it was fate,” Bryan says. “I realized how close it was to my hometown—Lynn, Massachusetts—and the financial aid is good. I love Boston. Why not be here?” Bryan’s creating quite the highlight reel so far. His production classes have solidified his early love of filmmaking and taught him new technical skills. And he’s added a Black Studies minor to his coursework. His campus involvement has widened his frame of reference, too. Bryan mentors new students as an orientation leader and RAM Supporter. He’s served on the Caribbean Student Network’s e-board and the Black Student Union’s outreach team. Next up: being a teaching assistant for CAS 101. And he's done all this as a commuter student, sometimes staying on campus ’til midnight. “I knew I would have to work harder to get involved,” Bryan says, “and that’s what’s helped me grow a stronger passion for Suffolk and a deeper appreciation for what the faculty and other student leaders do. “People always say they step outside the box,” he continues, “but they might’ve only dipped their toe. I’ve been able to jump out of the entire box here at Suffolk and experience so much.”

CREATING THE ULTIMATE HIGHLIGHT REEL