What are Alumni Chapters?
Alumni Chapters are geographically-based hubs of activity led by alumni who live in the area. The objectives of Alumni Chapters will be wide-ranging and evolve over time, but essentially, they exist to create networking opportunities for alumni living in a particular city, region or country. Alumni Chapters enable graduates all over the world to maintain and deepen their connection with Ulster University and each other.
Our aim is to establish more international Alumni Chapters where we have a growing network of graduates living abroad.
UU Connects: Boston Alumni Chapter
We are delighted to introduce the Boston Alumni Chapter and core members who will take the lead on growing the Chapter locally.
Heather Conrad
MA Peace & Conflict Studies, Derry~Londonderry campus
Heather attended UU from 2009 to 2010 where she studied Peace and Conflict Studies and interned at UU Journey’s Out Programme, which trained community leaders to overcome the effects of conflict. She is also an alumna of George Washington University and Harvard Extension School. Heather now works at the Harvard Kennedy School where she is Assistant Director of Programme Development.
Mark Mathers
BA, Business Studies
Mark is co-founder of the Beacon Pointe Boston office, where he is both Partner & Managing Director. As well as his honours degree from UU, Mark holds a Certificate in Export Marketing from the University of San Francisco, a Diploma in Philosophy from St. Patrick’s Seminary, and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Niamh Shuman
BA International Business Communications
Originally from Armagh, Niamh began working with Invest NI in 2003 and she later relocated to the US where she became Vice President of Sales and Market Intelligence, later Vice President of Business Development, and now Head of International Performance & Analytics. Niamh is a keen advocate for women in leadership and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Mná Mheiriceá (American Women).
Oran McGonagle
Donegal native, Oran, owns and runs multiple bars and restaurants around Boston, including The Cottage, The Dubliner, Emmets, Roxanne’s Carrie Nation & Scholars. Oran received his Higher National Diploma from North West Regional College before attending UU.
Paul Jennings
BSc Business Studies
Paul Jennings is Head of Foreign Exchange Product Sales North America at Marex. Hailing from Warrenpoint, Co. Down, he moved to Boston in 1992. Paul was selected for the Irish America Wall Street 50 award in 2013, 14, 15 & 16. He is also a board member of The American Friends of Ulster University and the Boston Irish Business Association.
Paul Pelan
BA Combined Humanities, Politics and Literature
Originally from Belfast, Paul has been a Professor of Social Sciences and Humanities at Boston University since 2003, offering courses in Philosophy, Sociology and Irish Studies. He also acted as the Director of internship Placements at the Rian Immigration Centre for a number of years, helping Irish students and graduates secure employment in the US.
Shaun Morgan
BA Combined Humanities
Shaun Morgan is Executive Director for Global Programs at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He is also the President-Elect for the Massachusetts Council for International Education.