The Legacy Lives On: Make an Impact Through Volunteering

“Volunteering in the Tufts Admissions Network, I feel like I'm contributing not only to the Tufts community but also to my local community.”

A Legacy of Kindness, Reignited

On her son’s accepted students day, when Lisa Nolan heard a Tufts University admissions officer say they try to choose students not just for their accomplishments but also for their kindness, it brought tears to her eyes. It reminded her of everything she cherished about the university—and sparked her desire to help carry forward that same kindness and welcoming spirit for future Jumbos.

Focused on her career and family in the years after graduation, Lisa didn’t start volunteering with the Tufts Admissions Network (TAN) until her son was attending Tufts. Yet, her story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to reconnect and that alumni play a vital role in shaping Tufts’ future.

A Tradition of Tufts Pride, Passed Down With Purpose

“I'm sure my dad was telling me about Tufts before I learned how to talk,” Lisa says with a grin. Her father, a member of the Class of 1956, remained an active alum for decades. "[When I was little], Tufts and college were synonymous for me. It was like college is Tufts because that's what I always heard about.”  

After hearing her father’s stories and growing up with many family friends from the Tufts community, Tufts was already on Lisa’s radar when it came time to choose a college. Her family was clearly a cheerleader for Tufts, but it was just one of the many reasons Lisa decided to go there. In high school, Lisa considered other colleges, but she was still drawn to Tufts for its liberal arts foundation, rigorous academics and excellent faculty, beautiful campus, and, most importantly, its diverse, curious, and welcoming student body. She thinks those same factors influenced her siblings, her son, and her nephew when they too opted to attend Tufts. 

She recalls visiting the campus: “Everywhere I went, there were students outside hanging out, doing lots of different things—from playing frisbee, to huddling over group projects, to signing students up for volunteer activities. It was a community, but it was very diverse. No matter what you're interested in, either academically or socially, there's a spot for you at Tufts.”

Lisa also appreciates that students at Tufts actively pursue intellectual curiosity. 

“I think the student body is all connected in a real desire to learn. Not necessarily about getting the best grades, although certainly that happens when you bring together so many accomplished students, but they have a genuine interest in tackling challenging academic issues and leveraging Tufts’ offering to really expand their intellectual horizons.” 

From Political Science to Policy Change

Lisa entered Tufts thinking she might become a journalist. However, after taking distributional requirements courses, which encourage students to examine different academic areas, she discovered her true passion for political science. "It dawned on me that what I was interested in were the topics [themselves], not so much the writing about the topics," she says. 

Tufts equipped her with the writing and analytical skills she needed to succeed in a demanding policy career, from challenging her to argue both sides of an issue in political science courses to refining her clarity and brevity in writing-intensive seminars. Those early lessons taught her how to think critically, structure complex ideas persuasively, and communicate with purpose—skills she would later use to influence national policy and advise top lawmakers.

“I learned how to be a good writer and how to be a good thinker. And those two things have carried me through ever since I graduated.” 

After graduating from Tufts University in 1983, Lisa earned a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She spent a decade working in Washington, D.C., including roles at the White House Office of Management and Budget and as a chief budget advisor in the U.S. Senate’s Majority Leader's Office. “Being able to communicate clearly was very important,” she shares. “[When then-outgoing Senate Majority Leader] George Mitchell ... talked about the accomplishments of his staff, he commented on my ability to straightforwardly convey to senators ... complex budget information. I think that really underscored the value of some of the communication and analytical skills I learned at Tufts.”

After D.C., Lisa moved back to New England and continued to work in government. For the last 10 years, she’s been at a non-profit that strives to improve healthcare affordability, access, and quality for consumers and businesses.

Volunteering With the Tufts Admissions Network

While Lisa focused on her career and raising her family, Tufts remained in the background—a beloved memory but not a daily presence. “I think what really roped me back in was when my son went to Tufts,” Lisa admits. “I kept seeing all the wonderful things about Tufts again through his eyes.” Witnessing how her son thrived at Tufts, a welcoming community that encourages students to find their own path, reignited her connection to her alma mater.

Lisa felt an unexpected wave of emotion when her son graduated. “I was sad,” she says. “I was grieving that I was leaving Tufts again.” She realized that it was time to reconnect and give back. “I have to maintain this connection,” she thought. “And that's when I started looking for other ways to get reinvolved.” 

Lisa began volunteering with the Tufts Admissions Network, a program that pairs prospective students with alumni interviewers. At first, she conducted just a few interviews. Today, she serves as the TAN chair for Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Why Alumni Interviews Matter

“[Being an alumni interviewer] is about being a supportive resource for the applicants and a friendly face [that helps them learn more about Tufts],” Lisa explains. “These kids are very impressive, and I try to help flesh out their personality a bit and give the admissions committee more insight into these applicants, beyond what’s in the four corners of their application.”

For Lisa, being part of TAN is fulfilling because it allows her to strengthen the Tufts community she loves—one rooted in kindness and inclusion. Through each conversation, she feels she’s not only supporting a prospective student but also advocating for the kind of campus culture she believes in. 

As a regional chair of the Tufts Admissions Network, Lisa’s responsibilities include coordinating interviews for dozens of students with alumni volunteers, as well as conducting some interviews herself. She strives to incorporate a mentorship element into the admission interviews, making the process more beneficial for both the applicants and alums. "When possible,  I try to match students with alumni who share a common academic interest, so that they can discuss relevant offerings and opportunities at Tufts, but also perhaps touch on broader academic and career goals, if that’s something the applicant’s interested in discussing. " 

A Mentor in the Making

During admission interviews, Lisa found that some applicants are really interested in learning more about specific academic or career options. "Students have asked 'How did you get into policy work?' or 'What advice do you have for someone interested in government?' I enjoy sharing insights that can help students navigate their path.” As a firm believer in the power of mentorship, Lisa is excited for another opportunity to connect with Tufts and give back to the community. 

She now has her sights set on The Herd, Tufts' alumni mentoring platform. She sees it as a natural next step to supplement her work in the Tufts Admissions Network. “Mentoring relationships can provide so much value and support for those embarking on careers or looking to pivot to different fields or positions. And through The Herd, Tufts has created a structure for alums to easily step into mentorship roles with fellow Jumbos. That's something I hope to pursue in the future.”

A Message to Fellow Alumni: It’s Never Too Late to Reconnect and Give Back

“Not only am I helping my alma mater, but hopefully I'm helping some young people in my local or regional community. And it's been great over the years.”

• Lisa Nolan, J83

Lisa’s advice to her fellow Jumbos is simple: Start small. “The best thing about TAN is that, for people who are thinking about volunteering,  you can sign up to do just one interview. You don’t have to commit to multiple interviews or help organize a big event. But one interview—conducted from the comfort of your home via Zoom—can help a student get exposure and give you a connection back to Tufts.”

Through her alumni involvement, Lisa has also expanded her own Tufts network, connecting with other Tufts graduates whom she hadn’t known as a student, and forming new relationships across class years. 

It’s never too late to reconnect. And when you do, you might just find a world of ways to contribute to the Tufts community that you cherish. Explore alumni volunteer opportunities and discover how you can make a difference, just like Lisa.