¡Hola! My name is Starlight (José) Lain-Straus, and I’m currently an undergraduate student in the Education Studies Program at Dominican University of California.

Since arriving on campus as a student-athlete, I’ve found myself getting involved in more ways than I ever expected—from competing in athletics to leading a student organization. What started on move-in day has turned into an incredible journey of connection and growth.

Being active in clubs, committees, and programs has helped me build a name for myself here, and more importantly, it’s helped me grow as a leader. My involvement is a big part of what shapes my Dominican Experience.

As I reflect on my time as a senior at Santa Fe Prep, I have no regrets about choosing Dominican. Committing to a small private university in the Bay Area was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

I chose Dominican because of its close-knit, liberal arts environment and its excellent Education Studies program—perfect for pursuing my passion for teaching. I also wanted a fresh start, somewhere new, where I could grow independently and step outside the comfort zone of my high school graduating class. Dominican gave me exactly that.