William Boffi, Nichols College
Boffi
Nichols College in Dudley has tapped William L. Boffi for a newly created position at the college - associate dean for student success and retention. As someone interested in athletic coaching, the job has similar themes for Boffi, the former dean of student recruitment and retention at Pine Manor College. He's coaching students to succeed and stay in school. With iced coffee in hand and an hour commute from Cranston, R.I., he arrives at campus each day ready to find what works and what doesn't in helping students achieve at maximum capacity.
Vital Stats
Age: 43
Residence : Cranston, R.I.
Family: Wife Monica; Children: Madeline (15), Benjamin (12) and Brett (6)
Education: Bachelor's in mathematics, Providence College; MBA, University of Rhode Island
Previous job: Dean for student recruitment and retention at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill.
Start date at new job: Jan. 3
Q: How are you settling in at your new office?
A: My new office is great. Everyone at Nichols is extraordinarily friendly and helpful so the transition has been very smooth.
Q: What challenges do you see in your new position?
A: The biggest challenge initially is to determine the factors that we can influence to improve student persistence. Nichols is a very student-centered community and they already have many things in place to help students be successful in college. The challenge for me is to help identify the things we are doing best and to figure out how to move those things into the path of more students.
Q: What's your favorite thing about Central Massachusetts?
A: I love that Central Massachusetts is so central. The Nichols campus is the middle of New England. I can get to Boston, Providence, Hartford, Springfield and of course Worcester in a very short drive. Also, I love that there is far less traffic than my former commute on Route 128.
Q: How close is this to what you imagined in high school you'd end up doing?
A: In high school I secretly imagined I would be a college basketball coach. It was a secret because I was not a great athlete myself. I remember hearing a famous coach say how influential coaches can be, because they connect with their players on a meaningful, common interest. I wanted to have that sort of impact. I was fortunate to be a college basketball coach for 16 years. I realized I could have an impact on even more students by working on student persistence. Really, it doesn't sound like the same field as coaching, but at the core they are both about student success.
Q: How far is your commute to the office?
A: It is about 45 miles. It takes me just about an hour.
Q: What could local and state governments do to make things better for your business?
A: I was just reading an article on this topic yesterday that said states need to create new financing approaches for higher education to create incentives for improved persistence and graduation rates and maintain affordability for students and taxpayers. I agree completely. In terms of local government, support for organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs that are serving future college students. I came from Pine Manor and we had a wonderful relationship with our local Boys and Girls Clubs, and they ended up sending us wonderful students.
Q: What's the best way to keep your energy and motivation up when you're having a long day?
A: Iced coffee. And work that I am passionate about, of course.
Q: Where's the best place to get lunch near your new location?
A: The Lombard Dining Hall. This early on, it is all I really know, but it is great!
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments