Senior and Student Government Association (SGA) President Mitch Vieira has dedicated most of his four collegiate years to serving the university’s community. The majority of his work has been with the SGA, beginning early as his freshman year as a senator. He then became treasurer for his sophomore and junior years.

Vieira is also a member of the Concert Committee, the Leadership Education and Programming (LEAP) Committee, and the Who’s Who Selection Committee. A government major at Suffolk, Vieira is also a member of the political science honor society. Besides his contributions to the Suffolk community, he is involved with the school committee in his home town of Seekonk, Massachusetts.

Vieira has had several internships, but said he has gained the most experience through his involvement with the university. Vieira is interested in a career in public service as an elected or appointed official, perhaps in municipal-level government.

The next stop for Vieira on the road to public office is a Master’s in public administration that he wants to pursue at Suffolk after graduating in June.

“I would still like to be involved on some level,” he says regarding Suffolk, acknowledging that a connection with the school is completely different as a graduate student.

The commitment Vieira has dedicated to his responsibilities at the university has not gone unseen. He has received multiple acknowledgements for his undertakings. He was a recipient of the Dorothy McNamara award in his sophomore year of college, an award that is presented to a student who has been highly involved on campus. Vieira’s participation in the Suffolk program, The Journey, earned him the program’s Leadership Cornerstone Award. The Journey is a program that aims to develop leadership skills through the four cornerstones of involvement, service, career exploration, and leadership. Vieira was also named College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Student of the Year in 2010.

Although he has benefitted from abundant leadership experience at Suffolk, it is not what has meant the most to him. Looking back, Vieira says the most valuable part of his Suffolk career has been the time he spent interacting with others.

“The best memories were getting to know my fellow students; making friendships that last a lifetime,” he said. “The people, the classes; I’ve learned invaluable lessons at Suffolk.”

Vieira’s commitment to serving his community will greatly benefit him as he pursues his dream of working as a public official. His presence in Suffolk’s undergraduate community will be missed as he begins the next phase in his life.

“My advice would be to encourage every student to get involved,” he said. Your time as an undergraduate is truly enriched by taking advantage of the opportunities that are offered. These opportunities open doors with networking and building relationships that will last long after you leave Suffolk.”