As Suffolk’s 2026 commencement nears, departments across campus are saying goodbye to shining seniors. The Orientation, New Student and Family Programs are one of a few bidding farewell to one of their most influential students: Gloria Lodiong.
Lodiong has impacted departments and organizations across campus, holding multiple positions in the world of orientation as an orientation leader, ONSP office assistant, team specialist and RAM supporter.
“I feel like since Gloria’s first year of being connected in our office through being a RAM supporter, she has just hit the ground running as far as being a tremendous support system for students,” said Theresa LaFleur, associate director of ONSP and first-year student CARES case manager.
As a biochemistry major, she has been able to help transition biology majors as well as fellow first-generation students into college and the Suffolk community. She also uses her leadership skills and academic background in her position in the Career Equity, Development and Success Center, as a career ambassador, where she is the marketing team lead.
“Whether it was being a RAM supporter, her roles through orientation, working in our office as a specialist last summer, obviously being an orientation leader, all of the things in all the different ways that she’s been able to, not just welcome students and make them feel this is their home, but to continue that support as they’ve been here,” said LaFleur.
Lodiong’s mark on campus extends past new student programs and career development as she ends her senior year as the president of Program Council, a group dedicated to planning on and off-campus events to foster community across Suffolk, where she has been a member since her freshman year. Before taking over as president, she was the vice president of finance on the executive board. Earlier in her college career, she was also an active participant in the Model United Nations team.
“Just the foundation that I’ve built in Program Council, as well as the career center, I feel like that had a huge impact on me and my personal self and growth,” said Lodiong.
Originally from Laconia, New Hampshire, Ludiong described her interest in Suffolk as wanting to escape the quiet of her small town and strive towards city life. Between the hustle of downtown Boston and the travel opportunities she was searching, Suffolk checked off the boxes she was looking to fill.
“A huge reason why I chose Suffolk was the traveling opportunities here like through ASB, which I was grateful enough to be a part of last year and go to Hawaii, to experience life over there and connect with the native Hawaiians,” said Lodiong. “Being able to connect with such a different community and care for the land as much as they do, and like giving back to their community is really important to me. And I hope to do that after I graduate, wherever I visit. Whether that be on vacation or just work trips or whatever, I would love to give back to whatever community my feet land on.”
After graduation, Gloria will be working on an online master’s program in public health with a concentration in global health at Southern New Hampshire University. She plans to work in biotech and take on any research opportunities that present themself.
“After my master’s, which is crazy to say, studying for the MCAT and then going off to med school after,” said Lodiong, when asked about her post-graduation plans. “But the end goal is to become either sports medicine or orthopedic surgeon.”
Looking to only continue in her education, investing in herself and her future, her connections back at Suffolk wish only the best for her as she leaves the “ramily.”
“When I think of Gloria, the first thing I think of is her vibrant smile and warmth that she brings,” said LaFleur. “We’re gonna miss her, obviously, so much but also we’re so excited to see what she’s got going next for her.”
With an involved and academically successful college career under her belt, Lodiong offered her own advice to incoming students.
“I know it can be overwhelming at first, but take that time to kind of relax and know your surroundings and then dive straight into going into the clubs that you like,” said Lodiong. “Start off by just kind of settling in. It’s okay not to have friends at first, I know I didn’t, and kind of just figure out where you stand.”
