American International College

The Northeast 10 Conference announced the winners of its 2025 Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence on Thursday, June 26, including 14 student-athletes from American International College. To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must be a graduating senior academically, regardless of on-field eligibility, who obtains the honor of magna cum laude or better, and must have participated in at least two seasons of competition and be a student-athlete at the time of graduation. AIC's group was led by three student-athletes each from women's lacrosse and women's soccer, as Hannah Simmons, Isabelle Stone, and Robin Trombly earned the accolade for the former and Tia Kelk, Katelyn Oliveira, and Cameron Wilbur did so for the latter. Women's volleyball had two selections in Alice Di Francesco and Aleksandra Ivanovic. Rounding out AIC's honorees were Tia-Marie Martinez of women's basketball, Justine Lalli of field hockey, and Destiny McGrath of softball, as well as Brendan Raymond of men's golf, Rowan Ruggiero of men's lacrosse, and Sam Cahill of men's soccer.

National Collegiate Rugby named its 2024-25 Scholastic All-Americans for the most recently completed academic year on Wednesday, June 25, and among the honorees were 13 American International College rugby players, with four men's selections and nine women's selections. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.50 GPA or higher for the entire academic year and be rostered for at least half of their team's A-side matches in either the Fall 15s or Spring 7s seasons. On the men's side, the four honorees were Augusto Arguello, Ivan Rossi, German Rossi, and Afa Sanft. The nine recognized from the women's team were Mariah Cuarenta, Naomi Dodd, Sara Doyle, Kiyanah Edwards, Ro'Elenoa Lagilagi, Gabrielle Miller, Annekkia Ritter-Truxal, Venise Sanft, and Morgan Schechter. Dodd, Edwards, Lagilagi, Sanft, and Schechter each were named All-NIRA for women's rugby during their 15s season, adding academic recognition to athletic success for the 2024 NIRA Division II National Champions.

Four members of spring sports teams at American International College earned Academic All-Conference recognition, the Northeast 10 Conference announced on Monday, June 30. Ayoub El Fahim of men's track & field and Brendan Edvardsen of baseball were joined by Destiny McGrath of softball and Gabrielle Walz of women's lacrosse as honorees. To qualify, student-athletes must have started in at least half or played in at least two-thirds of the team's competitions as a significant contributor, and achieved a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average or better on a 4.0 scale; for graduate students, both undergraduate and graduate GPA totals must be above 3.30. El Fahim's honor is the 12th for the men's track & field program among 10 winners in AIC history, and the first since Jason Beaver in 2022. It comes on the heels of another All-Region season, earning his fifth career total All-Region honor as part of AIC's 4x100-meter relay unit. The Woodhaven, New York, native is a healthcare management major. Edvardsen is the eighth AIC baseball player to win the award, and his honor is the 12th in program history, giving AIC at least one winner for the third straight season. He earned his second career NE10 All-Conference honor in the outfield for AIC in the spring, helping lead AIC to its first NE10 Regular Season Championship since 1991. The Norwalk, Connecticut, native is a business major. McGrath collected the award for the second year in a row, becoming the second two-time winner in program history; Stephanie Belanger won the award three times, in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Overall, McGrath is one of nine AIC softball players to earn the honor, with 12 total accolades, and a Yellow Jacket has taken the honor in each of the last five years. McGrath collected her 100th career hit as part of a First-Team All-Conference season, leading AIC in most major offensive categories. The Norton, Massachusetts native is a physical therapy major. Walz's selection is the eighth for women's lacrosse at AIC; she is the seventh AIC women's lacrosse player to win the award and first since Chelsea Davis and Krista Iwanicki in 2021. The team's leading scorer was also a Third-Team All-Conference selection for the first time in her career. The Granby, Massachusetts, native is a physical therapy major.

Naomi Dodd of the American International College women's rugby team was named to the Collegiate Rugby Championship National 7s All-Tournament Team, the organization announced. Dodd was the tournament's leading scorer, with six tries for 30 points in four games as the Yellow Jackets finished third, the program's best-ever finish at the CRCs. She scored at least one try in all four matches, including in AIC's 22-14 victory over Penn State University in the third-place match. It is Dodd's second postseason accolade of the athletic year. She was named the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association Tournament Most Outstanding Player in November as she led the Yellow Jackets to their second NIRA Division II National Championship with the game-tying and game-winning tries in the second half.

The American International College Department of Athletics named its 2024-25 award winners in a ceremony on Thursday, April 17. The President's Cup, awarded to the male and female student-athlete who has made a major athletic contribution during the past academic year with outstanding ability, character, and sportsmanship, went to Victoria Mendez of women's volleyball and Leandro Guevara of baseball. Mendez dominated the NE10 in leading AIC to the conference's crown for the third time in four years, winning All-American status as well as East Region and NE10 Player of the Year honors, and had the only triple-double in the NCAA Tournament at any of the three levels this season. Guevara has led the baseball team, and currently is hitting .363/.438/.602 with six home runs as the squad fights for first place in the NE10's Southwest Division.

The American International College Department of Athletics named its 2024-25 award winners in a ceremony on Thursday, April 17. The F.J. Maloney Award, awarded to the male and female athlete who has achieved outstanding success over four years at AIC, went to Jordyn Galgay of women's lacrosse and Evan Stella of ice hockey. Both are team captains; Galgay has scored 63 goals with 30 assists for 93 points in a four-year career while playing both sides of the ball and rarely leaving the field, while Stella played 150 games in an AIC uniform, second-most in the storied history of the program, and was named Atlantic Hockey America All-Conference in his senior campaign as well as the New England Hockey Writers Association's Joe Tomasello Award winner and an American Hockey Coaches Association All-American Scholar.

The American International College Department of Athletics named its 2024-25 award winners in a ceremony on Thursday, April 17. The LT. Alvin J. Carocari Award, given to the male and female athlete showing outstanding leadership and contribution to intercollegiate athletics at AIC, was awarded to Sidiki Kone of football and Paola Soto Burgos of women's volleyball. Kone, in addition to being a two-time NE10 All-Conference selection and team captain, founded and is currently the vice president of AIC's Muslim Student Association, while Soto Burgos, a two-time AVCA All-American selection, is Vice President of AIC's SAAC and has been elected to be President for the upcoming 2025-26 year, and founded the Comfort Hearts Foundation to support people recovering from breast cancer; her story was recently covered by the NE10.

The American International College Department of Athletics named its 2024-25 award winners in a ceremony on Thursday, April 17. The Milton J. Piepul Merit Medals, "given to a male and female senior who combines excellence on the field with excellence in the classroom, including a 3.5 GPA or higher," went to Tommy Nichols of wrestling and Destiny McGrath of softball. Nichols was a national qualifier after finishing as runner-up at the NCAA Super Regional I Championship at 147, while McGrath, who recently collected her 100th career hit, leads the softball team in nearly every major offensive category and has gone deep nine times in her career among her 33 extra-base hits.

The American International College Department of Athletics named its 2024-25 award winners in a ceremony on Thursday, April 17. The Robert Burke Athletic Director's Award, which recognizes a male and female student-athlete who demonstrates commitment to community service and outstanding performance or competitive improvement over an athletic career, was granted to Alice Di Francesco of women's volleyball and Anderson Cuello Batista of baseball. Di Francesco, who did not play at all her first season, was a two-time NE10 All-Conference selection at setter and earned Academic All-Conference as well as CSC Academic All-District accolades in her career. Cuello Batista has grown into the closer role on AIC's pitching staff and has also contributed significantly to AIC's award-winning Home Run for the Hungry campaign.

The American International College Department of Athletics named its 2024-25 award winners in a ceremony on Thursday, April 17. The Alumni Award, given to a male and female senior who excel in academic scholarship and athletic achievement, went to baseball's Brendan Edvardsen and women's basketball's Rhaymi Porter. Edvardsen, who won NE10 Rookie of the Year in his first full campaign in 2023, is a career .363 hitter, while Porter earned back-to-back NE10 All-Defensive Team selections and was named 2024-25 NE10 Defensive Player of the Year as she led the conference in blocks in both of her seasons at AIC.

The American International College Department of Athletics named its 2024-25 award winners in a ceremony on Thursday, April 17. The Rex's Rookie of the Year award was given to the male and female student-athlete whose incredible talent and hard work made an unforgettable impact on their team's season in their first year of competition. Connor Dietz of football and Naomi Dodd of women's rugby were the winners. Both had outstanding campaigns in their first season of competition; Dietz was named the Northeast-10 Conference Football Rookie of the Year, while Dodd took home National Intercollegiate Rugby Association Championship Most Outstanding Player honors after leading AIC to its second NIRA crown in four seasons.

Athletics names Department Award winners for 2024-25 The American International College Department of Athletics named its 2024-25 award winners in a ceremony on Thursday, April 17. The Jessica Chapin Individual Swarm Award went to Amelia Rodriguez, a student who, while not an athlete herself, has been visible at nearly all AIC home contests and over her time at the College has been one of the loudest and most consistent supporters of all of AIC's teams.

American International College (AIC) held its 140th Commencement Ceremony on May 4, 2025, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, honoring the graduates in the Class of 2025. Amie Parnes, senior political correspondent for The Hill covering national politics, delivered the Commencement address to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral recipients. In recognition of her distinguished contributions to political journalism and her commitment to fostering public understanding of national affairs through rigorous and insightful reporting, Parnes was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from American International College. Parnes is the co-author, with Jonathan Allen, of three political books published by Crown/Penguin Random House: Lucky: How Joe Biden Barely Won the Presidency; the no. 1 New York Times best seller Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton's Doomed Campaign; and HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton, also a New York Times best seller. Their most recent book, Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House, was published in April 2025 by Morrow/HarperCollins and became another no. 1 New York Times best seller. AIC extends its congratulations to the Class of 2025 and wishes all graduates continued success in their future endeavors.

American International College (AIC) in Springfield, MA, is proud to announce that 468 students have earned a place on the Dean's List for the spring 2025 semester. These full-time students have attained GPAs ranging from 3.3 to 4.0. AIC applauds the dedication and achievements of these enterprising students.

The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association announced its 2025 NCAA Division II All-Region Teams on Friday, May 16. Two members of the American International College baseball team earned All-East Region honors, with Leandro Guevara being named First-Team All-East Region at catcher and Yeudy Ramirez taking Second-Team All-East Region accolades at shortstop. Guevara, selected First-Team All-Northeast-10 as well as to the NE10 All-Defensive Team at catcher, thrilled in his debut season at AIC after transferring from Kentucky Christian University. He hit .338 with seven home runs and 13 doubles, driving in and scoring 33 each while also displaying rare speed for a catcher with six stolen bases on seven tries. Ramirez was named the NE10's Southwest Division Player of the Year and First-Team All-NE10 at shortstop as he led the Yellow Jackets with a .359 average, with eight home runs, six doubles, and two triples. He drove in 40 runs and scored 45 times, and led AIC and the NE10 with a team-record 31 stolen bases in 43 games.

Two members of the American International College men's lacrosse team garnered All-American status from USA Lacrosse, as USA Lacrosse Magazine announced its 2025 NCAA Division II honorees on Friday, May 16. Carter Linkletter was named First-Team All-American at long stick midfielder, while Tyler Goode earned Honorable Mention All-American at midfield.

A pair of student-athletes on the American International College baseball team earned 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors, the organization announced on Tuesday, June 3. Leandro Guevara and Vaughn O'Leary were the two selections. To qualify, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically, and hold a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.50 on a four-point scale, and must have appeared in 90 percent or started at least 66 percent of a team's games; pitchers must have pitched 35 or more innings or made at least 17 appearances.

Three members of the American International College baseball team earned 2025 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division II All-East Region honors, the American Baseball Coaches Association announced on Wednesday, May 28. The teams are voted on by members of the American Baseball Coaches Association, and the process is led by the ABCA NCAA Division II All-America & Coach of the Year Committee.

Alice Di Francesco of the American International College women's volleyball team was among the student-athletes recognized by College Sports Communicators as 2024 CSC Academic All-District selections for women's volleyball on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

Claudia Flores Marrero of the American International College women's volleyball team was among the student-athletes recognized by College Sports Communicators as 2024 CSC Academic All-District selections for women's volleyball on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

Five members of the American International College softball team earned 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors, the organization announced on Tuesday, May 27. To qualify, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically, and hold a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.50 on a four-point scale, and must have appeared in 90 percent or started at least 66 percent of a team's games; pitchers must have pitched 35 or more innings or made at least 17 appearances.

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) named American International College women's volleyball setter Victoria Mendez as one of its NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball All-America selections on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. The award capped off a run where Mendez was named Player of the Year at the conference level by the Northeast-10 Conference and the East Region level by both the AVCA and the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA).

American International College (AIC) in Springfield, MA, is proud to announce that 473 students have earned a place on the Dean's List for the Fall 2024 semester. These full-time students have attained GPAs ranging from 3.3 to 4.0. AIC applauds the dedication and achievements of these enterprising students.

Three American International College students studying criminal justice have been inducted into Alpha Phi Sigma, Alpha Delta Chapter. This national honor society has stringent eligibility requirements, which these students have met or exceeded. To qualify, students pursuing a bachelor's degree must have completed at least 37.5 percent of the credits required for graduation and must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3. Additionally, students must complete at least four courses in the field of criminal justice with a minimum GPA of 3.2.

The following students have been named Resident Advisors for the 2024-2025 academic year at American International College (AIC). AIC applauds these students for their excellence in leadership.

Thirteen members of the American International College ice hockey team garnered 2023-24 Krampade/American Hockey Coaches Association All-American Scholar status for the most recently completed season, the AHCA announced on Monday, July 1. AIC's thirteen selections ties the College for the fourth-most among all NCAA Division I men's ice hockey teams. To earn the distinction, student-athletes must have played in at least 40 percent of their team's games in the 2023-24 season and posted a grade-point average of 3.75 in each of the two semesters. Graduate students Brett Callahan and Logan Jenuwine earned the honors, with Callahan garnering his third accolade with AIC. They are joined by three seniors in Jordan Biro, Julius Janhonen, and Nico Somerville. Somerville also gathered his third honor, while Biro took his second with the Yellow Jackets. Oscar Geschwind and Evan Stella were AIC's two juniors to bring home the award, both for the first time, while sophomores Alexander Malinowski and Josh Barnes each earned their second selection in as many seasons. Rounding out AIC's contingent are rookies Theo Angesved, Peyton Grainer, Alfred Lindberg, and Hunter Longhi, all winning their first laurels in their first season at the NCAA level. First awarded following the 2016-17 season, the AHCA has named eight All-American Scholar teams. In those eight campaigns, the Yellow Jackets have earned 97 All-American Scholar distinctions.

The National Intercollegiate Rugby Association released its selections for the 2023-24 NIRA All-Academic Team on Friday, June 28. Seven members of the American International College women's rugby team were selected. To earn the accolade, student-athletes must have a cumulative grade-point average at or above 3.50. Each student-athlete was instrumental in the success of the program throughout the year as the team reached the 2023 NIRA Division II Championship Tournament in the fall for 15s and took fourth at the 2024 Collegiate Rugby Championship National 7s Tournament.

Sixteen students have been inducted into the American International College (AIC) Chapter of Alpha Chi for the Spring 2024 semester. Since 1922 Alpha Chi National College Honor Society has distinguished itself as one of the top national honor societies in the nation. Alpha Chi recognizes exceptional student scholars who rank in the top ten percent of the junior or senior class across all academic disciplines.

American International College (AIC) in Springfield, MA, is proud to announce that 470 students have earned a place on the Dean's List for the spring 2024 semester. These full-time students have attained GPAs ranging from 3.3 to 4.0. AIC applauds the dedication and achievements of these enterprising students.

American International College (AIC) held its 139th commencement ceremony on May 11 at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, celebrating more than 600 graduates in the Class of 2024. Keynote speaker Michael D. Smith - the CEO of AmeriCorps - regaled graduates, their families, and AIC faculty and staff with stories from his youth, growing up in the McKnight neighborhood of Springfield. Smith spoke of how being part of a community at the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield planted the seeds for his future in which he leads the country's largest public volunteer force. The ceremony saw 216 bachelor's degrees, 279 master's, seventy-two certificates of graduate study, and thirty-six doctorates awarded. The College's Interim President Nicolle Cestero told invited the soon-to-be alumni to maintain close ties with their alma mater. "Return to the College often and stay connected with the community that has shaped you into the remarkable individual you are today. Whatever tomorrow holds for you, remember the lessons you've learned here, the challenges you've overcome, and the dreams that have fueled your aspirations." AIC congratulates the 2024 graduates and wishes them well in their future endeavors!