Alyson McGonigle, '15

January 26, 2015
Robins School student has passion for serving the community

Alyson McGonigle, ’15, has a passion for serving her community. Whether she’s in her hometown of Chester Springs, Penn., or at University of Richmond, the Northern transplant does her best to enrich the community around her while balancing her studies and training schedule.

McGonigle, a business administration major with concentrations in marketing and management, came to Richmond as a track and field recruit. “The moment I stepped onto campus, I knew Richmond was right for me. It was a place where I could combine my desire to be a competitive Division 1 athlete while attaining an excellent education. My father, who works in finance, was a big influence in my decision to pursue a business education. After I discovered the Robins School of Business and its reputation, the choice was simple. Ultimately, I chose both marketing and management concentrations so as to cultivate my creative passion and analytical skills to support a successful career in the business world.” 

As a dedicated student and athlete, McGonigle performs at a high level both on the track and in the classroom. “I’m a redshirt senior as I was injured during the fall of my freshman year and the spring of my sophomore year. Although injuries are unfortunate, I’ve seen the silver lining in getting to stay at Richmond an extra year. I was able to add a second concentration to my business administration major. I wouldn’t change my time at Richmond for the world.”

McGonigle shared her experience of the Robins School. “From the wonderful faculty and staff to the many career development opportunities and events, the Robins School provides us with the resources we need to succeed. My classes challenge me intellectually, push me out of my comfort zone and help me to build relationships with my peers and professors. Every single professor I’ve been fortunate to interact with has shown me that they are truly invested in our success. They’ve even gone out of their way to help me outside the classroom to support me and provide me with opportunities that will better my experience. This year alone I’ve had the opportunity to intern in the account management group at Professor Bill Bergman’s advertising firm, the Bergman Group, and to work as a research assistant for Professor Nancy Ridgway.”

McGonigle’s dedication spans not only school and sports, but also community service. “For the past three summers I’ve volunteered as a counselor at Camp PALS, a one-week overnight camp for young adults with Down syndrome. Every camper is paired with a counselor for the entire week during which we spend nearly all our time together. My experience at Camp PALS has been life changing. Working with people my age that have Down syndrome has taught me many life lessons that I apply every day. Whether I’m running, studying for an exam, working on a group project, or building relationships, I consciously strive to be a more patient person and a more effective leader at every turn as a result of my time with the campers. Every summer is a new and rich experience.”

During the school year, McGonigle balances volunteering with her schoolwork and training schedule. “On Fridays I try to visit the Little Sisters of the Poor St. Joseph’s Home to spend time with the great residents there.”

She looks toward her future. “If my last season goes well, I hope to continue competing in track for about a month after I graduate. Following that, I’ll return to Camp PALS for another week as a counselor. As for my long-term plans, I look to my time at the Robins School, which has had a huge impact on my career goals. I hope to continue pursuing account management because of the wonderful opportunity I had to work with Professor Bergman. Through my internships and education, I’ve been able to accumulate real world experience that will prove invaluable when I enter the workforce, and I can’t thank the Robins School enough for that.”