Student Affairs Administrator Bios

Dr. Patricia Rissmeyer
Vice President for Student Affairs

Dr. Rissmeyer serves as the senior student affairs officer at the College. She provides leadership and supervision to a professional team responsible for Athletics and Recreation, Counseling, Community Standards and Student Conduct, Community Service and Service Learning, Family Programs, Health Services, Mission and Ministry, Multicultural Programs, New Student Orientation, Residence Life and Housing, Student Activities, and the Jean Yawkey Center. Pat serves as Co-Advisor to the Emmanuel Student Government Association, on the President's Cabinet at Emmanuel and on the Coordinating Council of the Colleges of the Fenway.

Dr. Rissmeyer earned a Doctor of Philosophy in higher education from the State University of New York at Buffalo, a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Hartford. She holds mediation certificates from the State University of New York at Albany and at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Pat has researched, written and delivered presentations on parental involvement, student affairs and alumni relations, first-generation college students and African American student success. Currently she is studying the process of coeducation for formerly women's colleges.

Dr. Rissmeyer came to Emmanuel in 1996 from Canisius College where she served as the Dean of Students. The things that she enjoys most about Emmanuel are the College's rich history, the dedication of the faculty and staff to student development, and the multi-talented, generous and spirited student body about whom she frequently brags!

Dr. Joe Onofrietti
Dean of Students

Dr. Onofrietti (Dr. Joe as he is known on campus) arrived at Emmanuel in the summer of 2001 to prepare for the first coed class which arrived that fall. He served as Associate Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life from 2001 until 2004 when he was promoted to Dean of Students. As Dean of Students, Dr. Joe supervises the Assistant Dean for Community Standards and Family Programs, the Director of Residence Life and the Director of Health Services. In addition, he works with Family Programs, specifically Family Weekend and Family Orientation. One of the favorite parts of his job is advising the senior class and helping to organize senior week and commencement.

Dr. Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Rutgers University in New Jersey where he was a student leader and Resident Assistant, a Master of Education from the University of Vermont and a Doctor of Philosophy in higher education administration from Boston College. He has worked in Student Affairs at the University of California at Davis, the University of Maine, Framingham State University and Daniel Webster College (Nashua, NH).

In addition to his work in student affairs, Dr. Joe has taught personal and professional leadership in the Graduate Management Program at Emmanuel and in the Master's of Education Program at Salem State University.

Mary Beth Thomas
Assistant Dean for Community Standards and Family Programs

A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Mary Beth earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Emmanuel College and a Master of Education in college student development and counseling from Northeastern University. Mary Beth brings a variety of Student Affairs experience to her current role having worked in Admissions, Orientation and First Year Programs, Academic Advising, Financial Aid and Student Center Services at Emmanuel College, Boston University and the Higher Education Information Center, Boston.

As Assistant Dean, Mary Beth is responsible for overseeing the student conduct system, working closely with Residence Life staff and Campus Safety to ensure a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students. Additionally, Mary Beth works closely with the Dean of Students to plan and implement Family Orientation and Family Weekend programs. She is member of the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA), the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Kappa Gamma Phi National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society.

Outside the office Mary Beth enjoys the sea shore, a good book, long walks, good food (hence, the walks) and time with her family and friends.

MaryAnne Murphy
Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs

MaryAnne joined the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs in March 2006. An Emmanuel alumna with a degree in business administration, MaryAnne provides administrative support for Dr. Rissmeyer as well as for various programs and initiatives within the Student Affairs Division.

Prior to her current position at Emmanuel, MaryAnne served as Marketing Coordinator for a Boston-area architectural firm and has been a fitness instructor for the Greater Boston YMCA for more than forty years. She is the mother of four grown children and six grandchildren.