During her 35 years at Northeastern, Doreen Hodgkin developed a reputation as a can-do manager, rising quickly through three different departments, finally reaching one of the top positions at Khoury College as associate dean.

One of her proudest achievements was helping Carla Brodley, a former dean of Khoury, increase the percentage of female students in the college from 19 percent when Brodley arrived in 2014 to 26 percent when Hodgkin retired in 2018.

Hodgkin took great pride in calling the family of every female student accepted into the computer science program, a personal touch that colleagues say was one of the reasons that college attracted top female students, a trend that continues today. Hodgkin was always completely honest with admitted students; she wanted to make sure that the College was the right fit for them and would meet their long-term goals.

“Her warmth, coupled with the confidence she inspires in prospective students and their families, was crucial,” said Brodley. “People automatically trust her.”

Whether their issue is academic or personal, her door was always open to students—as long as they arrived with a Dunkin’ Donuts dark roast with two creams and one Splenda.

Her warmth, coupled with the confidence she inspires in prospective students and their families, was crucial. People automatically trust her. — Carla Brodley

In recognition for all Hodgkin did for Khoury students, parents of a recent graduate established a fund in her honor, the Doreen Hodgkin Student Emergency Fund. The recognition was something that took Hodgkin by surprise. “I couldn’t believe it. I was so humbled,” she said. She added that throughout her time at Khoury, she always worked across the University to help students who were struggling financially.

In addition to her can-do attitude, Hodgkin said that she “always embraced change, whether for myself or for the organization.” This quality served her well at Northeastern, a university that prides itself on constant growth and improvement.

Since retiring, Hodgkin’s drive to help others has continued. Along with other North Shore volunteers, she set up a local non-profit aimed at helping seniors stay in their homes for as long as possible. And she also pursued another lifelong dream…learning to play the banjo.