EDISON, NJ (July 15, 2022) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has announced that Alexandra Filipkowski (Fairfield University ’22) and Jillian Risavi (Siena College ’22) have been awarded the 2022 Bob McCloskey Insurance MAAC Postgraduate Scholar-Athlete Scholarships.
 
Bob McCloskey Insurance (BMI) provides annual postgraduate scholarships to two former student-athletes from the league’s member institutions. The scholarship intends to promote and encourage academically and athletically accomplished student-athletes to continue their education by attending graduate school.
 
As part of the selection process, the committee evaluates athletic and academic achievements, as well as campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities, and demonstrated leadership.
 
“Alexandra and Jillian are the true models of MAAC sports when it comes to excellence in academics and athletics,” MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor said. “With the experience that they both possess; we know that they will be successful in their postgraduate education and future careers. The MAAC would also like to thank BMI for their continued support of the MAAC and higher education.”
 
Filipkowski graduated from Fairfield University this spring with a 3.88 GPA and a degree in Psychology. She will continue her postgraduate education at Columbia University this fall as she pursues a master’s degree in Public Health. She is a member of several honor societies including Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society, Alpha Epsilon Delta Honor Society, and Alpha Mu Gamma (Foreign Language Society). She also founded Fairfield’s first-ever Pre-Medical Club and was a student leader and volunteer in the Campus Ministry.
 
The Sharon, MA native served as an Epidemiology Researcher for the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine over the last two summers. She was a Spring Intern for Horizon Government Affairs on Capitol Hill and was the Head National Consultant for the American Heart Association.   
 
"I am honored to have been selected for the BMI scholarship,” Filipkowski said. “My coaches, professors, and peers have consistently and relentlessly pushed me to be my best in the classroom and on the field. If it wasn't for their support, I doubt I would be in the position I am today with the extraordinary opportunity to continue my education at Columbia University."
 
On the field, Filipkowski was a member of the Fairfield Women’s Soccer Team for the past four seasons. She also played on the Puerto Rico Women’s National Soccer Team where she competed in World Cup qualifying matches and international scrimmages. She is also a three-time MAAC All-Academic honoree.
 
Risavi graduated from Siena College this past spring with a degree in Psychology and a certificate in Community Development and a 3.69 GPA. She will continue her studies at the University at Albany next Fall where she will study Industrial Organizational Psychology. She was involved with Siena’s Center for Academic Community Engagement (ACE) Program where she helped conduct research to help improve addiction recovery systems throughout New York State.
 
As part of the ACE program, she helped create partnerships with non-profit organizations in the Capital Region. She did extensive work with Wildwood Programs and Friends of Recovery-New York. The Jamesville, NY native was also on the President’s List, Dean’s List and earned Siena’s Outstanding Academic Athlete Award.
 
"I am beyond grateful and honored to receive the 2022 Bob McCloskey Insurance MAAC Postgraduate Scholar-Athlete Scholarship,” Risavi said. “I am extremely excited to pursue my education and endure a career as a practitioner in psychology. I would like to thank my professors from Siena College and the administration of Siena Athletics for granting me such great opportunities. I would also like to thank my coaches and teammates on the Siena Women's Lacrosse team, who assisted me in discovering my potential as a student-athlete and support my endeavors with community-based work. I also wish to thank my family for their constant and unequivocal support. I am proud and humbled to represent the MAAC and Siena College as I continue my education.”
 
On the field, Risavi was a member of the Siena Women’s Lacrosse Team for the past four seasons and served as team captain during her senior year. She earned MAAC All-Academic honors and MAAC Academic Honor Roll three times each. In 2021, she was also named to the IWLCA All-Academic Honor Roll.
 
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 42nd year of competition during the 2022-23 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
 
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