Celebrating 10 Years of Innovation and Management

The year 2026 marks ten years of innovation, inspiration, hard-work, and leadership education in the MS in Innovation & Management graduate program at Tufts Gordon Institute. Over the past ten years, 300+ students have graduated from Tufts with a greater sense of how to be a purpose-driven leader with the ability to solve real-world problems. 

This May, students, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered on a lovely Spring day to celebrate exactly what makes the MSIM special through mingling, prompted discussions, and dinner speeches.  

With cohorts that have an average of 30 students, there is a strong sense of support and camaraderie among the whole MSIM community; students stay connected with their peers and in touch with faculty even after graduation. In a true show of community - over 80 students and alumni from across all ten years of the program came back to Tufts’ campus on May 2nd to celebrate this momentous anniversary. 

Joining the 80 present on campus were virtual alumni attendees from across the country who were able to wave hello and give personal updates as they zoomed in from wherever they are currently located. 

"It warmed my heart to see our MSIMers together again, reconnecting with old friends and making new friends from across the years. We are lucky to have such a warm and caring community. Onward, and upward, it continues to be a joy seeing all our students build their lives with heart, and returning to Tufts to help sandpaper the next generation of MSIMers."

Kevin Oye, Executive Director of Tufts Gordon Institute and Director of the MSIM

Kevin led attendees in speaking about the idea of “Moving Forward”. He encouraged everyone to split off into groups with people they had never met before, where they shared advice with one another about how they have used what they learned in the MSIM throughout their careers. He also encouraged the groups to speak about how anyone may be feeling currently stuck or at a crossroads, so that they could give one another advice on how to motivate breakthroughs and continue moving forward. 

Jane Seminara, Senior Lecturer at Tufts Gordon Institute, led a separate activity where she reminded attendees of their shared history; she showed a brief video which included some of the poetry, films, and literature that all MSIM students encounter in the Unbounded Perspectives Graduate Seminar. In small groups, current and former students shared their most cherished memories of the MSIM program. 

The diverse backgrounds and broad range of work experience within the community encouraged meaningful discussion around questions such as "How have you grappled with personal and professional doubts and uncertainties over the years?" 

It was deeply moving and inspiring to hear about each person's journey. Jane ended the session with a poem titled "Adios" by Naomi Shabib Nye, which explores the ongoing “hellos and goodbyes” that shape the human experience.

"It was so inspiring to see so many present and former MSIM students spend the day sharing cherished memories and discussing the personal and professional wisdom they have gained through the years. The entire event was permeated by a common sense of hope and joy. I feel so privileged to know so many extraordinary humans who are helping to create a more just and compassionate world"

Jane Seminara, Senior Lecturer

Before, after, and during the sessions attendees had opportunities to mingle and continue conversations with those they hadn’t seen in years and many other peers they had never met.