Education Plan

What am I DU-ing?

I am currently a graduate-level occupational therapy student at Dominican University (DU) pursuing my final year in the 4+1 BS/MS Program. Throughout my time at Dominican, I have strived to maintain a GPA of 3.7 or higher, graduate with a BS in Occupational Therapy with Honors in 2021, and graduate with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 2022. In Spring of 2021, I graduated Summa Cum Laude. It is important to me to be involved on campus, which I have achieved thus far through work in the Student Success Center, Peer Mentoring, Digital Portfolio Fellowship, the Torch leadership program, and more!

Amazing Opportunities

Peer Mentoring

Beginning my sophomore year, I was hired as a Peer Mentor, a leadership role on campus designed to support first-year students in their transition to Dominican on a student-to-student level. I deeply value the support, guidance, and knowledge I received through my experience as a Peer Mentee and student enrolled in Mastering College during my first year, which inspired me to help make this experience meaningful to my fellow and future Dominican students by becoming a Peer Mentor myself. As a Peer Mentor, I co-facilitate a section of Navigating College, a class designed to help first year students develop the skills to be successful in college. I also meet with my mentees one-on-one to support them in a personal, safe environment.

Image of all of Dominican's Peer Mentors for the 2018-2019 school year

Image of Naomi Elvove, Director of Academic Advising (left); Patricia Lopez-Chavez, student worker (middle left); myself (middle right); & Stacy Davidson, Director of Career Services (right)

Academic Advising

& Digital Portfolio

I have worked as a work-study student in the Student Success Center (formerly known as the Academic Advising and Achievement Center) since my second semester of college. My work in the Student Success Center gives me the opportunity to help other Dominican students navigate their network of support on campus. In my role, I work at the office's front desk, take on special projects, support the Integrative Coaching team, and even get the opportunities to present what I do at different events and showcases on campus. Through this role as well, I have been able to support and help facilitate the implementation of Digital Portfolio, a key element of the Dominican Experience, onto campus. I currently co- lead lectures on the creation and expansion of Digital Portfolio.

Image of me leading a workshop on Digital Portfolio to first-year students

Torch

Before my freshman year, I was recruited to be a part of the Torch leadership program on campus. Torch is an academic leadership program which serves first generation and under-served students, prioritizing community, inclusivity, diligence, collaboration, empowerment, and giving back to others toward the common good. This past year I have become one of the executive Torch leaders who helped resurrect and rebuild the program when it was endangered. I now work with my co-executives to put on events, recruit new members, encourage active participation, and help students of marginalized identities become empowered leaders.

Image of myself (right) and Torch co-leader Vanessa Groppetti (left) assisting our roommate Katrina Mutchie (center) on move-in day 2017

Art

I have always had a passion for art, which led me to start pursuing coursework through the art department at the end of my freshman year. Painting and drawing are one of my most meaningful occupations and my favorite method of self care, and I am so grateful that I am able to engage in these occupations as part of my education at Dominican.

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