40 Under Forty 2019: Danielle O’Connell
Photo | Erika Sidor
From the 20th anniversary of WBJ's 40 Under Forty are (from left) 2019 winner Danielle O'Connell, 2009 alumni Timothy J. McGourthy, and 2019 winner Orieta Kristo at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.
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Danielle O’Connell, 34
Dean of admissions
Becker College, Worcester
Residence: Auburn
Birthplace: Springfield
Colleges: Assumption College & Syracuse University
Even if Becker’s 1,800 students or prospective ones wouldn’t recognize O’Connell, they’ve seen the results of her strengthened recruitment initiatives, which include a student ambassador program for tour guides. After obtaining her master’s degree in higher education administration from Syracuse, O’Connell worked as a residence director at two New York schools, Le Moyne College and Siena College. She left Siena, after becoming the assistant director for campus programs and student activities, to return to Worcester in 2012 as associate director of campus activities and leadership development at Becker. She’s worked her way up since, becoming an adjunct faculty member, an advisor and instructor for first-year students, and later the director of campus activities and student leadership. She was promoted to dean in July 2018, helping to oversee admissions and coordinate enrollment management. O’Connell is active as a member of a parent-and-patient advisory council for UMass Memorial Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit, where her newborn spent time. Her family has sponsored a March for Babies annual walk to raise money in her son’s name. – Profile written by Grant Welker
What is the one meal you would eat for the rest of your life? Donuts. Do they count as a meal?!
Favorite Central Mass. tourist attraction? Davis Farmland in Sterling. Our family loves interacting with the animals, taking a tractor ride, playing pretend in the little town, climbing play structures/inflatables, and splashing in the water on a hot day!
What is the highest compliment anyone could give you? If someone shares something I’ve done that made a difference to them, this is an amazing compliment.
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