Graduate Friars: Stories of Graduate Student Life at Providence College
From athletics to experiential learning, graduate Friars carve their own path to success.
Every graduate student’s journey is unique, shaped by individual passions, goals, and life circumstances — and at Providence College, we strive to meet students wherever they are on that journey. Whether balancing a full-time career, exploring a new field, or diving in immediately after undergraduate studies, our graduate programs offer the flexibility to fit a variety of needs.
To demonstrate this, we asked two current graduate students to share their perspectives and experiences. Our first student, Brooke Becker, is an MBA student-athlete on the Women’s Ice Hockey team, who also completed her undergraduate program here at Providence College. Our second student, Emily Diggle, is an M.Ed. in Literacy student and graduate assistant, who came to Providence College from a different institution. Both students provided insight into their graduate experience, commenting on the sense of community throughout campus, how they manage multiple responsibilities, and ultimately why they chose Providence College.
Both Brooke and Emily shared how important the sense of community was in their decision to attend PC. “The campus culture and community at PC felt very welcoming and supportive, which was important to me as I was looking for an environment that would foster my academic and personal development.” Having already gone through the undergraduate program, Brooke was familiar with Providence College and wanted to continue her education here.
Emily, on the other hand, had a different experience, “While I was nervous to start at a new institution after graduating from undergrad, I was able to settle in quickly.” She also noted that despite the initial nervousness, she quickly found herself surrounded by people who helped her feel connected to campus. “I found a great sense of community among the people in my program.”
Most graduate students at Providence College maintain multiple responsibilities simultaneously. For Brooke, it’s the combination of MBA and the PC Women’s Ice Hockey Team.
Being part of Providence College’s Women’s Ice Hockey Team has provided me with a valuable outlet for physical activity and stress relief amidst the challenges of my academic workload…Additionally, the discipline and goal-setting skills I’ve developed through hockey have positively impacted my approach to my studies. The athletic component of my graduate experience has been such an integral part of my personal growth and success in the program.
Brooke Becker, MBA, ’25G
Brooke also relies on the flexibility of Providence College faculty, stating, “the professors here at Providence College are willing to work with students who have multiple responsibilities. I think this is because many of them are adjunct professors who are out in the field themselves which makes them very understanding and flexible.”
Providence College offers myriad experiential learning opportunities. As Emily mentions, this is especially evident in the education programs.
While all my classes have a classroom observation component, two of my classes assigned tutoring field placements where we tutor students in literacy at two local elementary schools. We learned to administer assessments with these students and then create lessons based on their needs. After spending many weeks with these students, I have seen such growth in them because of the lessons we taught. I feel these hands-on experiences have given me a lot of perspective about being a literacy specialist and making a positive impact for these students.
Emily Diggle, M.Ed. in Literacy, ’26G
There are many factors to consider when comparing graduate institutions that align best with your interests, make you feel supported, and encourage you to pursue your goals. Emily chose PC for a multitude of reasons, “after researching the programs and making decisions about my field of study, I decided that PC would be a great fit. I liked that it was a great institution so close to home, and that they offer multiple options for master’s degrees within the education field.”
Brooke highlights the strong reputation of the Providence College School of Business and describes her appreciation for the post-graduate opportunities PC has to offer, “the program’s strong reputation and the college’s impressive alumni network presented valuable networking and career opportunities that were difficult to match elsewhere.” She also reminds us that the strong alumni network built as a graduate student is enduring,
When they say you are ‘Never Alone in Friartown’ they truly mean it. Friars are family for life.
Brooke Becker, MBA, ’25G
Emily says that the support she has felt from the campus community, especially coming from another institution, has made her experience so meaningful, “the professors will be there with you every step of the way, encourage you to reach out with any questions, and provide you with the assistance to be successful.” She notes that while the adjustment from a new school was daunting at first, she has truly enjoyed her time in the program. She says, “A concern of mine was being able to find my place somewhere new, and I can confidently say that there is a place for everyone at Providence College, no matter where you are on your career path.”
