Building Community

Saint Michael’s College is known for its close-knit community, which not only draws prospective students to campus, but allows current students and graduates to understand the value of connecting with their environment and the people around them. St. Mike’s alumni are often found taking risks and forming vibrant communities despite the uncertainties of post-graduate life. Alumna Julie Griffin-Carty ’09, who currently lives in Paris, France, and Ryan Woods ’06 of Boston have both found themselves at home within their communities, though they faced some challenges to get there.

Julie Griffin-Carty ’09 Project Manager of Global Events for the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris France.

“There’s a limited amount of time on this earth, and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to live somewhere completely different,” says Griffin-Carty, who arrived in Paris in July 2022 with little knowledge of the language, no job, no apartment, and a slew of Airbnb reservations lined up. Although it took a while to settle into her surroundings, she knew that it wouldn’t be long before things fell into place. Griffin-Carty is no stranger to the impact of community involvement.

During her years at St. Mike’s, she was a cofounder of the Celtic Knights, an Orientation leader, a member of LEAP, a student council vice president, and more. She drew on these same principles of leadership and engagement to jump-start her life abroad, and soon secured a job at the International Chamber of Commerce through a friend she made at a volunteer opportunity. She’s currently the organization’s project manager, and organizes and hosts the International Mediation Competition, an annual event for college students studying mediation and advocacy.

Griffin-Carty still faces challenges as a foreigner, but she’s taking it all in stride. “Every day I look around and I’m still shocked that I’m in another country!” She reflects that the life she has abroad is all thanks to connections she’s formed. “You never know who you’re going to meet,” she says.

Ryan Woods ’06 Boston’s Parks and Recreation Commissoner.

Much closer to the Saint Michael’s campus, Ryan Woods proudly serves as the parks commissioner for the City of Boston, where he oversees 300+ parks, playgrounds, cemeteries, and golf courses, with a staff of approximately 275. Although his career at the Parks Department began at age 15 teaching young children how to play baseball, he assumed his current position in 2019. “Within nine months of my appointment COVID-19 hit, which made things interesting—I quickly learned how to adapt to ever-changing public health guidance,” Woods says.

He adapted very well to the circumstances and continues to make lasting changes to benefit his community. “Some of my proudest moments in this position were and are unveiling the MLK Embrace statue on Boston Common, cochairing the restoration of the Robert Gould Shaw 54th Regiment Memorial, working with a team to create action plans for Boston Common and Franklin Park, expanding our urban forestry division, cutting ribbons on over 30 newly renovated parks, and creating fun experiences in parks for all Boston’s residents and visitors,” says Woods.

Both Woods and Griffin-Carty believe that learning the importance of community during their time at St. Mike’s was an integral part of their success, and they invite current students and fellow alumni to draw on their Saint Michael’s roots as they navigate life post graduation. “Just because we may not have all graduated at the same time doesn’t mean we’re not family,” says Griffin-Carty.