Outstanding Alum: Impact on the University of Hartford
Bobbi McNeil, a former radiology director at Hartford Hospital, served on the board of directors of The Women's Advancement Initiative, the university’s Board of Regents, Alumni Advisory Council, and the inaugural College of Education, Nursing, and Health Profession’s Board of Visitors. Although now retired, Bobbi intends never to retire from volunteering and philanthropic activity. She is dedicated to causes such as increasing scholarship availability for students and supporting programs that develop future leaders.
Bobbi has commented that she feels fortunate and wishes to pay it forward by helping others.
Among the groups and boards on which she has served are the Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers and My Sister's Place, a nonprofit agency that provides transitional housing for women and children in need.
At UHart, she has worked closely with the LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program by mentoring several students, and with the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz. Inspired by the legacy of Hartford College for Women, LEAD provides personal and professional development workshops, opportunity and resilience coaching, career readiness skills, community engagement opportunities, and a network of mentors. Founded by jazz saxophonist Jackie McLean, the institute has become one of the nation's premier educational jazz programs. Bobbi's friendship with program director Javon Jackson led her to become involved with the Amy B. Robinson Scholarship Fund, which supports jazz students.
Not one to sit still, Bobbi and her partner have traveled to 39 countries since her retirement a few years ago.