TUFTS PARENTS AND FAMILIES (TPF) NEWSLETTER | MARCH 19, 2026

Dear Parents and Families,

I hope your students are enjoying their Spring Break!

In this edition, meet Director of Athletics Ryan Pisarri, who shares insights from his first year at Tufts and his vision for Tufts Athletics—Go Bos! You'll also find information about spring networking events for students in this month's Career Corner; a student perspective on campus life from Jordan Gamret, A29; and Commencement 2026 details for families celebrating their graduating senior this spring.

Thank you to everyone who has shared family pet photos for Jumbo Pet Palooza—we're enjoying the submissions! There's still time to submit your pet photo; the deadline is April 6. 

Best wishes,

Carole McFall
Family Engagement, AS&E Student Life
carole.mcfall@tufts.edu
617-627-2797

Since joining Tufts in August 2025, Director of Athletics Ryan Pisarri has been getting to know the community and what makes Tufts so special. Pisarri says many people, including parents, have reached out to share ideas and support. “The foundation for any successful organization is really good people who care—and Tufts has that,” he said.

For Pisarri, having an infrastructure and a culture that supports student-athletes and allows them to reach their potential both on and off the field is paramount. His holistic approach to supporting student-athletes comes from his time as an undergraduate, playing football at the University of Pennsylvania. He credits that experience with preparing him for life after school. 

“There’s no bigger believer in the lessons that can be learned from college athletic experiences than me.” He highlights skills that student-athletes gain that are transferable beyond college, from time management to learning how to be a good teammate and navigating ups and downs.

“One thing that’s very clear about our student-athletes is they want to achieve the highest levels of success in the classroom and on the playing fields, they are competitive and used to succeeding," said Pisarri. He reminds students to have fun and enjoy their time at Tufts. “Our job is supporting them while they’re here, creating an environment that they want to be part of and that they feel they can reach their potential, and equipping them for what comes next.”

Pisarri wants to continue to incorporate Tufts Athletics into the fabric of the university by collaborating with colleagues across campus. “There are so many incredibly talented student-athletes, performing at a really high level so we want to showcase our Jumbo athletes," he said.

Pisarri also embraces the role that Tufts Athletics plays outside of varsity sports. “Students want to be active; it’s a big part of the college experience.” He's learning about the full range of club sports and intramural offerings and considering what other opportunities there are while making sure the resources and spaces are at a level that make it a good experience for non-varsity students who want to be active, play sports with friends, and compete.

Pisarri says the recent announcement of the new Aquatics Center is especially exciting because of the positive impact it will have on student-athletes, the Tufts community, and neighboring communities. He also notes a historic fall athletics season that included championships and advancing to finals for several Tufts teams. 

Highlighting great coaches, administrators, university support, and dedicated alumni, Pisarri emphasizes that Tufts Athletics is well positioned to build on its success and continue to ensure student-athletes have a positive, fulfilling experience. “Ultimately, our goal is to be the premier Division III athletics department in the country,” he said.

Pisarri grew up in New Jersey and returned there after college to work at Rutgers University and start a family. Moving to the Boston area has been a jumbo change, but he says he and his wife (also a New Jersey native) and three young children are having fun, the people have been fantastic, and it’s become more like home. Although, he admits “We still use Google Maps to get everywhere!”

Spring is a great time to get outside, maybe plant a garden, and if you're a Tufts student—build connections! SMFA's Portfolio Review Day on April 9 is one of several upcoming spring networking opportunities. Students can choose from the following events and RSVP to those that align best with their program and areas of interest. 

Communications, Marketing & Media Networking Night - March 25, 6-8 p.m.
Students receive advice and connect with alumni from organizations like GBH News, Fablevision, Charles River Media Group, NESN, and more.

J.E.T. Day (Jumbo Employer Thursday) for Pre-Law Students & Alumni - March 26, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. (drop-in event)

Green Careers Networking Night - April 2, 6 - 8:15 p.m.
Networking and career exploration for those interested in agriculture, food systems and policy, environmental justice, environmental engineering, sustainability, and other areas.

Sports Careers Panel - April 6, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Hear from alumni leaders spanning pro sports media, marketing, live rights distribution, sports finance, and venture‑backed sports entrepreneurship from organizations including the NFL, NBA, PGA Tour, DIRECTV, Boston Legacy, and more.

SMFA Portfolio Review Day - April 9, 3 - 6 p.m.
SMFA students connect with the professional world and external hiring opportunities, receive feedback on their work and presentation skills, and continue to build connections.

Tufts University's 170th Commencement will take place on Sunday, May 17 at 9 a.m. To help you plan for this special occasion, information for your campus visit, including weekend events, the ticketing policy, and commencement day logistics are available on the Commencement 2026 website. We look forward to sharing this celebratory occasion with you!

Photo from a previous year's Spring Fling

It’s almost spring! The campus has been livelier as the snow has melted and the sun has returned. The Jumbos wasted no time getting outside on Prez Lawn and reading or playing sports on Res Quad during a few days when the weather reached over 70 degrees. It was an especially perfect time for a change as dreaded midterms arrived. Thankfully, shortly after, so did Spring Break—finally, a chance to get some much-needed rest and relaxation. 

During colder days, we enjoyed music at the Applejam live show, the Battle of the Bands, and the biggest, wildest, announcement ever: singer Zara Larsson will headline Spring Fling! This moment had Jumbos jumping for joy, having something amazing to look forward to after midterms.

Dates to Remember
March 14-22 – Spring Break

March 23 – Classes resume and Advising Period begins

Summer Courses Enrolling Now!
With in-person and virtual options, students can choose from a variety of courses to earn credits for their degree, explore engaging topics, or tackle a challenging course with the leisure of summertime. 

Last Chance for Senior Portrait Sessions
March 25 and 26
A free portrait session with Legacy Studios is the only way for your graduating student's photo to be included in the portrait section of the Class of 2026 Senior Memory Book. Your student can book their portrait timeslot online. 

Senior Commencement Fair in the Mayer Campus Center
April 8, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
A one-stop opportunity for seniors to take care of graduation needs as campus partners and external vendors involved with graduation will be on hand. Students can pick up their cap and gown (if they pre-ordered online) and graduation announcements, and shop the Campus Store's selection of Tufts and alumni merchandise. Note: Caps and gowns can also be purchased in the Campus Store starting April 8. 

Events and Opportunities for Parents and Families

Tufts Night at Pops—a Commencement Weekend Tradition
May 15, 8 p.m.
Join President Kumar and university leadership along with alumni, graduating students, and their families to celebrate the 124th Tufts Night at Pops at Symphony Hall in Boston.

Jumbo Pet Palooza—a weeklong digital campaign April 27–May 4
This spring, as students prepare for finals and review boards, we’ll share photos of Tufts families’ pets to bring some joy and stress relief to campus.

June Programs for High School Students
High school students can jumpstart their summer this June with one-week commuter programs offered by Tufts Pre-College Programs, including Mini Med School, Mini Dental School, and Financial Essentials, as well as exclusive sessions for College Prep 101 for Neurodivergent Students and Coding for Gaming. Applications due May 1!

Featured Stories from
Tufts Now 

Super Fast—and Steady—Wins the Race Women’s swimmer Madeleine Dunn, A26, named NESCAC Swimmer of the Year after stellar senior season

Tufts A Cappella Strikes a Chord With 10 groups on campus, there’s space for every student involved to find their rhythm

Resources for Your Student
There are many resources available to help your student sort through any personal or academic challenges.

Communications Archive
Emails to students and families are archived online. 

TuftsAlert
Enroll in the TuftsAlert system to be notified directly by text, phone, and/or email in case of significant emergencies affecting the Tufts University community.

Family Engagement