BFIT Board of Trustees Elects Five New Members

March 31, 2021

BFIT has made five additions to its already robust Board of Trustees. These individuals represent a strategic addition by the college to strengthen BFIT’s leadership, expand our educational offerings, and better position to college for a successful move to Roxbury’s Nubian Square.

Mary Churchill, PhD, is the Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement at Boston University, where she manages strategic partnerships, including the college’s relationship with Boston Public Schools. Dr. Churchill is an international voice for social justice and change management within higher education and has spent her career advocating for diversity and inclusion in higher education, particularly the promotion of women and people of color. Churchill and her partner, Ernesto Valencia, live in Roxbury with their teen son, who attends Boston Public Schools. She is active in the Roxbury community, where she leads her neighborhood association and has served on the boards of local nonprofits, including Dudley Square Main Streets and Project Hip Hop. In February, Churchill was selected as the Chief of Policy and Planning for incoming Mayor Kim Janey’s senior leadership team. She earned her PhD in Sociology from Northeastern University.

Stetson Marshall is an educator, entrepreneur, and President and CEO of Comprehensive Consulting Group LLC (CCG), a management consulting firm with core capabilities in risk advisory and program management. With over a decade in experience creating, developing, and leading risk-based audit functions across local and state government and financial services; Marshall’s passion for compliance and risk management is mirrored by his passion for education, sense of community, and affinity for giving back. Stetson has served on the Board of Directors in the capacity of vice chair, treasurer, audit committee member, and finance committee member, and development committee chair for several non-profit organizations. He is earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Robert Morris University in Illinois, and his MBA in Accounting from the Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University.

Chenita Daughtry, PMP, is a Senior-level IT Project Manager at Abacus Technology Corporation with over 20 years of experience in the areas of project management, quality assurance, and software engineering. Her current role at Abacus is draws from her deep knowledge and leadership in the areas of process improvement and implementation management. She is passionate about the fields of technology, healthcare, and higher education. Daughtry has a strong commitment to community based service and is active with several civic organizations including Jack and Jill of America, The Links, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics from the Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College at Baton Rouge, and her master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Georgia Institute of Technology. Daughtry is a recipient of the UNCF Rising Star Award and the YMCA Black Achiever Award and lives in Roxbury with her husband and two children.

Marisa Meldonian, MPH, brings 14 years of leadership and nonprofit experience to the BFIT Board of Trustees after serving as COO for the Lewis Family Foundation, where she oversaw grant making to over 50 organizations in Boston, driving strategic planning and organizational development to further economic and educational advancement for communities of color. Meldonian has spent much of her career focused on community health programs and pathways for economic mobility both in Boston and abroad and brings a unique perspective and holistic approach to building healthy and thriving communities.  Originally born in Colombia, Meldonian grew up in Acton, MA and attended Denison University for her bachelor’s degree in International Studies and History. She has served on the BFIT Board of Directors since 2018. As a proud public education graduate, Meldonian is a staunch believer that equity is the key to ensuring access to high quality education regardless of background or zip code.

Paul Macrina is President of Paul Macrina Electrical Contracting, INC, a locally owned, full-service electrical contracting firm with expertise in electrical design, specification, and installation for residential and commercial buildings. Servicing the MetroWest and Boston area for over 20 years, Macrina leads a team of versatile and reliable licensed technicians known for their experience and top-quality service. Macrina is a 1982 graduate of BFIT’s Automotive Technology program.

“Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology is in the process of preparing our state-of-the-art campus in Roxbury’s Nubian Square, in addition to already bolstering our academic offerings to better meet the needs of our organizational partners and upcoming industry trends, and strong leadership will be essential during this transition” said Aisha Francis, CEO of BFIT. “The work ahead will require strategic guidance, relationship-building in the Roxbury community, and further expansion of our business partnerships; and I am so excited to have Mary, Stetson, Chenita, Paul and Marisa join our board of trustees to bring their expertise to these opportunities.”

“These fantastic additions to our board of trustees strengthen our leadership team as we focus on expanding our community relations, strategic partnerships and development,” said Jed Nosal, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Their collective experience in community engagement, strategic planning, and entrepreneurship perfectly aligns with BFIT’s goal of expanding our 21st century technical education programs to meet the future needs of our industry partners as well as the needs of our community. We are so glad to have them join our board.”

Serving 54% first generation students and 74% students of color, BFIT’s programs are focused on skill-building in areas that have strong workforce needs, even in an economy with higher unemployment. The college became the first higher education institution in Massachusetts to sign on as a certified Apprenti training partner and announced the expansion of its dual enrollment agreement with Boston Public Schools. In 2019 the school announced its plans for building a new campus in Roxbury’s Nubian Square. Read more about the move at www.bfit.edu/movetoroxbury.

About Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Founded in 1908 in Boston, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology is one of New England’s oldest colleges of technology. Started with a bequest from Benjamin Franklin and a matching gift from Andrew Carnegie, the private non-profit college offers an affordable education for people seeking technical careers. BFIT is an affordable, urban college serving the Boston region and committed to student success and career readiness in technology fields. Through personalized support, hands-on learning, and industry-informed curricula, BFIT prepares graduates for work, life-long learning, and citizenship. For more information, please go to www.bfit.edu.