Rosa blooms at alma mater

Photo courtesy of Rosa Del Carmen Gomez

Admissions counselor Rosa Del Carmen Gomez ‘20 provides a vibrant and experienced energy to Lasell University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions. An alum of Lasell University, Gomez utilizes both her institutional knowledge and ability to connect with others to support prospective and incoming first-year students to campus.

A first-generation college student born in Chile and then raised in the south shore of Massachusetts, Gomez graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media writing. Reflecting upon her favorite experiences in the classroom, speaking about her time in COM203 (Effective Speaking) with former Associate Professor of Communications Erin Vicente, Gomez said, “I took some amazing journalism courses during my time at Lasell but I really loved my effective speaking course. This course helped challenge me as a public speaker and it grew my confidence speaking to large groups of people.”

Ultimately recognized for her academic contributions in the classroom, Gomez received both the Lasell Alumni Association Scholarship in 2019 and the Lasell University Academic Book Award for Communication in 2020.

Aside from her commitment to her academics, Gomez devoted time and energy to Lasell University during her time as an undergraduate student–a pattern that seems to have mirrored in her work at the institution as well.

To say that Gomez’s experience at Lasell was one built upon a foundation of service and work with her community is an understatement.

While obtaining her degree, her time as a Lasell student was occupied by numerous commitments to clubs and organizations on campus.

Gomez worked on the 1851 Chronicle, served as the vice president of academic affairs for the Student Government Association, worked for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a Blue Key Society Student Ambassador, and attended different service trips through Alternative Spring Breaks and the Shoulder-to-Shoulder program. Additionally, Gomez worked as an orientation leader for the Office of Student Activities and Orientation and served as a participant of the Student Alumni Association.

Among other achievements for Gomez, she was awarded a Lasell Bowl for Contributions to Campus Life during her senior year, and spoke at Lasell University’s Class of 2020 commencement ceremony.

At the end of the day, Gomez was a student at Lasell and some of her favorite memories came from her relationships and time spent with her peers. Thinking back on her time at Lasell, Gomez reminisced on the everyday happenings that made college so memorable.

“There was a day with an electricity shortage and while everyone else had electricity, Butterworth Hall and Holt Hall did not,” Gomez said. “It was a random day in the week so naturally, we had to make our own fun. My friends and I played tag in the hallways of Butterworth. It was just the funniest thing and such a core memory for me."

Upon graduating, Gomez stepped away from Lasell to pursue another service opportunity through AmeriCorps for two years.

"I worked at an after-school program in Boston called St. Stephen’s Youth Programs. I was an AmeriCorps member through a program called the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship,” Gomez said, “At St. Stephen’s I worked with the middle school age group and as an AmeriCorps member I would assist with homework, STEM activities, outdoor recreational time, field trips, summer camps, and more.”

Eventually, Gomez found her way back to Lasell in 2022 and started working as an admissions counselor in Hamel House.

Some responsibilities of her role include fall and spring domestic recruitment travel including high school and community college visits and college fairs, counseling prospective students and families throughout the college application and selection process, and conducting a thorough application review of admission materials and providing decisions.

Through the role, Gomez travels to Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. In addition, Gomez works with international students and has recently wrapped up a travel visit to both Colombia and Ecuador.

Senior Assistant Director of Admission Meghan Flaherty works alongside Gomez in Hamel House, where the pair share an office on the second floor.

“Rosa has been such a big part of my experience at Lasell,” Flaherty said. “As an alum, Rosa helped me transition into my role as admission counselor, lending her knowledge and expertise when I needed it. She’s been an essential part of our office and I am so lucky to be her office mate!”

Gomez provided advice for current and future Lasell students.

"Remember that this too shall pass,” Gomez said. “Many people have said this quote in various ways but it is truly how I live my life. If you are struggling and life has got you down, that moment will pass. Similarly, if things are going very well that will also eventually pass. We’ve been given this wonderful life and we get to occupy these small spaces in the lives of everyone we meet, so make it extraordinary. Your college years are a time to make mistakes and take risks.”