Beyond the picturesque seaside location and built-in sense of community, the Misselwood Concours d’Elegance is known for another unique plus: proceeds from the event benefit the Inspire Scholarship, which expands access to college for high-achieving Endicott College students who are the first in their families to attend college.
We caught up with two recent Inspire alumni, KyRon Parker ’25 and Jalessi Aviles ’25, who have each turned their Endicott experience into the exciting beginnings of intentional careers, carrying forward the opportunity made possible by their scholarships.
KyRon Parker ’25: Turning Connection into Impact
Less than a year after graduating from Endicott, KyRon Parker ’25 is already excelling at the kind of work he once imagined doing. As an Outreach Caseworker with Key Program, Inc., he works directly with young people and families in their homes, guiding them through challenges that range from school attendance to emotional regulation.
“I help them understand that it’s okay to fail, and that figuring out how to do better is how they can achieve positive outcomes,” he explained. “The reward is seeing them do well—completing their goals, transitioning back home, reuniting with family, and doing better in school.”
It’s hands-on, relationship-driven work, rooted in the same instincts that shaped his time on campus.
“I always wanted to work with people,” he explained. “I was a tour guide and an Orientation Leader at Endicott. I connected with everyone really well, saying good morning, or opening doors, or sitting down with them at lunch.”
Parker’s path to his current Key Program role reflects the power of the Endicott Experiential Edge to inform the passions students develop while at Endicott. As a criminal justice major with a minor in political science, he began with an interest in law enforcement, but coursework and interning at the government relations firm, Demers, Prasol & Thomas, Inc. expanded his perspective, introducing him to the power of policy, advocacy, and early intervention.
“Working with the Revere Police Department and the FBI Human Trafficking Task Force made me think about the different roles within the criminal justice system,” shared Parker. “I met city counselors and realized directing policy can be really helpful if you want to see change.”
By the time he graduated, he knew he wanted to focus less on enforcement and more on supporting young people before they enter the justice system.
“Working with kids, you see how a lack of support or resources at home can affect how they do in school and in the community,” Parker noted.
Looking ahead, Parker sees his current work as a foundation for what’s next. He has returned to Endicott to pursue his MBA in organizational leadership and hopes to move into public service, where he can continue to advocate for communities and shape systems from within. He recently confirmed his first speaking engagement, promoting fair wages, sustainable funding, and pay parity for human services workers in the region at the Caring Force Merrimack Valley Rally at Northern Essex Community College.
Jalessi Aviles ’25: Creating a Career with Intention
The moment Jalessi Aviles ’25 set foot on Endicott’s campus, she knew her college choice had been made. Already a top prospect thanks to the seaside setting and powerful interior architecture program, Endicott won her over with the creativity of the student design projects she saw in the Walter J. Manninen Center for the Arts. Through four years of coursework and hands-on experiences, her love for her chosen career solidified.
“I always knew I wanted to be an interior designer, but my love for it really grew at Endicott,” Aviles shared. “It was fun to explore options outside of residential design, like retail, and I was able to find out what I definitely didn’t like, such as commercial design.”
Aviles’ current role with Boston Modern Staging + Design started with a connection forged when she proactively showed up to observe a staging project. The company’s owner offered her an internship spot, which later turned into a full-time position as an interior designer and rental coordinator.
Today, Aviles works on residential design projects while also coordinating staging and short-term furniture rentals, helping clients create spaces that are both functional and personal.
“The work can be very rewarding,” she shared. “Last week, I met with a family whose house had burned down, and they needed furniture right away. We were able to go in and redesign their new apartment and help their two little girls make that transition.”
Aviles credits Endicott’s emphasis on internships for giving her a crucial head start in the workforce, helping her feel confident working closely with clients on their residential design projects.
“You’re learning how to talk to different types of people, how to sell specific products, and how to make people happy,” she said.
Aviles loves her current role, but she is also building toward something of her own. She has begun developing an independent design brand and a bespoke gift-wrapping service, with aspirations to one day open a boutique that combines interior design services with curated home décor and styling.
As for the Inspire Scholarship, Aviles said it helped her do things like study abroad in Florence, Italy, which was one of the highlights of her time as a Gull.
“I’m very grateful,” she shared. “It pushed me to work harder, knowing that I had a support system of people who wanted me to succeed.”