Grace Diaz


B.S. in Human Services (2009) M.S. in Human Services (2011)


(Organizational Management and Leadership Concentration)


t SHS Boston Campus


t State Representative, Rhode Island General Assembly


t Community Research Project: Discovered high frequency of diabetes among African Americans and Latinos in her community. Established outreach organization to assist Latinos in managing diabetes.


t Five children, three grandchildren


When Grace Diaz immigrated, she never imagined that she would become the first Dominican-American woman elected to state office in the United States.


“I arrived with $40 and two dresses, and my English was very limited. But I was determined,” Grace says. She worked her way up through less prestigious jobs than she had held in the Dominican Republic. All the while, she was vigorously involved in her community, which resulted in a groundswell of encouragement for her to run for the state legislature. Against the odds, she won the election over an incumbent.


“When I was elected, I had little confidence to speak from the floor of the General Assembly. I was in the company of lawyers, business people, and other professionals. I needed to raise myself to a new level,” she says.


Grace credits her education at Springfield College School of Human Services for helping to build her knowledge, skills, command of English, and self-assurance to be an effective legislator. “The students and faculty became like a brotherhood, encouraging me to go on.”


As a legislator, Grace is committed to issues affecting all state residents, including minimum wage increases, workers compensation guarantees, high school dropout prevention, child care affordability, racial profiling, mortgage lending practices, tuition for undocumented people, and more.


“I love what I do. I’m turning things around for my community. I give people a voice,” she says.


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Master of Science in Human Services: Alumni Profile


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