News Releases
Alumna does incredible job with latest Disney Pixar movie
Incredible doesn’t even begin to describe Kelly Bonbright’s journey from Dominican to Hollywood.
Leadership roles motivate student to pursue higher ed career
Emanuel “Manny” Cifuentes-Machado ’19 has received so many leadership opportunities and positive experiences at Dominican that the business and communications double major has decided to give back.
Business classes, activities prepare student for Miss California pageant
Whether she was attending business classes, working with friends in the Barowsky Students’ Association or speaking to perfect strangers in Toastmasters, Olga Kolin ’19 never imagined that the skills and confidence she gained at Dominican would lead her to speak on a big stage in front of thousands at the Miss California pageant.
Nursing student represents Dominican at national Up to Us summit
It was not until her senior year at Benicia High School that nursing major Elena Brown ’20 became active in student government. She wished that she had started earlier.
Recent Communications graduate worked NBA Finals in Oracle Arena
Kara New ’18 is feeling like she is on top of the sports world right now.
Veritas Cup winner forms friendships as RA, BFA in Dance student
As the recipient of the Veritas Cup, Erin McKay ’18 is appreciated and acknowledged to be a great friend of the senior class.
New study highlights value of on-campus social support
Supportive relationships with teachers, advisors, and other staff members help students to develop hope, a key factor that impacts a student’s ability to persist and succeed in college, according to a new study published this month by researchers from Dominican University of California and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Italy-bound business graduate eyes wine-making career
When Alexa LoGiudice, then a senior at Sacramento’s St. Francis High School, first visited Dominican, she immediately knew the fit was right.
Student-athlete OT major named Outstanding Student at Commencement
The recognition and support Anthony Sassano ’18 has experienced at Dominican has ranged from the President of the University to the President of the NCAA.
John Lithgow, Dr. Mary Yeager deliver Commencement keynote address
Stressing the power of relationship building, award-winning actor John Lithgow and his spouse, economic historian Mary Yeager, delivered the keynote address as Dominican celebrated Commencement 2018 on May 12 by conferring degrees on 479 students, including 326 undergraduates and 153 graduates.
Rivals turned friends from Hawaii now heading to law school
When David Nguyen ‘18 and Josh Rosenberg ’18 competed against each other in soccer for rival high schools in Hawaii, they had no idea they would carry the Aloha spirit to Dominican and become friends with the same aspirations to attend law school.
Federal grant supports nursery plant research at Dominican
The National Ornamentals Research Site at Dominican University of California (NORS-DUC) has been awarded a $513,000 federal grant to continue studies focused on eliminating quarantined diseases of nursery plants in order to safeguard plant health and the environment.
Retiring principal recalls life-changing decision to seek teaching credential
Whenever Skip Kniesche ’91 receives an application and resume from a Dominican student, he automatically places it on the top of a stack of teaching candidates on his desk at A.E. Kent Middle School.
BFA in Dance student inspired by opportunities, open-mindedness
As the senior class in the Alonzo King LINES Ballet BFA Program prepared for its final performances April 27-28 in Angelico Concert Hall, Erin McKay ’18 was reflecting on her decision to attend Dominican University of California.
Students participate in opening of national civil rights memorial
Cheyenne Sykes ’20 and Mariah Ashby ’19 were in Montgomery, Alabama where they were invited to attend the two-day grand opening of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration on April 26-27.
Dominican women's soccer hosts North Bay Fire Relief benefit event
Dominican University of California Athletics and the Penguins women's soccer program hosted a North Bay Fire Relief benefit quintuple header featuring other Bay Area college teams on Sunday, April 22, at Kennelly Field in the John Allen Sports Complex on the Dominican campus.
Psychologist's research focuses on power of mentoring in education
Supportive relationships with relatives, community members, and educators can help to level the playing field for first-generation students, according to a new study by researchers from Dominican University of California and Johns Hopkins University.
Washington D.C. attorney returns for Reunion Weekend awards ceremony
For Reunion Weekend April 20-21, Jennifer Morrissey ’88 had a lot of catching up to do.
Department of Commerce service officers meeting with business students
Eight Foreign Service Officers of the U.S. Department of Commerce were guest speakers at the “ACCESS ASIA: Healthcare and Life Sciences” business forum on April 19, in the Garden Room at Edgehill Mansion on the Dominican campus.
Honors student focuses on policy change for SCW Conference project
For her senior thesis Mujeres in Action, Samantha Hunt ’18 has applied the knowledge she gained from personal experiences in El Salvador; Tijuana; Washington, D.C.; and Uganda to research designed to bring awareness to female-led Civil Society Organizations and their plight to cause policy change.
Dr. Melba Beals address, awards highlight "Unity in Diversity Week"
As part of the Unity in Diversity spring schedule, civil rights leader Dr. Melba Beals, Chair Emeritus of Dominican's Department of Communications and Media Studies, delivered a keynote address on April 3 in Guzman Lecture Hall.
History major follows passion to land job in Walt Disney Family Museum
Sierra Najolia ’18 came to Dominican to study history and prepare for a career as a dentist. Half way through her freshman year she discovered that science was not her passion, so instead she followed her heart and pursued a career in the history field.
John Lithgow, Mary Yeager to deliver keynote address at Commencement
Dominican University of California is pleased to announce that the accomplished actor John Lithgow and his spouse, the eminent economic historian Mary Yeager will jointly deliver the keynote address at the University’s 2018 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12 at 10 a.m.
Students spend spring break in Patagonia for global conservation
In a spring break trip to gain perspective of their role in protecting the environment on a global level, students in Professor Vania Coelho’s upper division BIO 3505 International Field Biology class recently visited the Patagonia region of Argentina.
Student Summit on School Safety featured Stoneman Douglas graduate
Dominican University and Congressman Jared Huffman hosted a Student Summit on School Safety and Gun Violence Prevention on March 18. Bradley Thornton, a 2015 graduate of Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. participated in the event via Skype.
Biology major earns fellowship to conduct malaria research in Malawi
After spending last summer in the SSRP Amgen Scholars program at Stanford University studying coral reef organisms, Biology major Dimitrios Camacho ’19 will spend this summer as the first Dominican student in the UC Berkeley Minority Health Disparities International Research Training (MHIRT) fellowship program to conduct malaria research in Malawi.
Business students relish their rewarding Oxford Scholars experience
For Jake Quast ’19 and Sophia Stetson ’19, studying at the University of Oxford led them to experiences, friends, and opportunities that have enhanced their already rich Dominican Experience.
Reimagining Citizenship program info session at Novato City Hall March 6
Dominican University of California and the City of Novato will host an information night for high school seniors and their parents for the new Reimagining Citizenship program on March 6 from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Novato City Hall.
Zero Discrimination Day film and panel discussion at Dominican
Dominican’s Global Public Health Department joined with Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance and The Spahr Center to co-host a Zero Discrimination Day film and panel discussion on March 1.
Alumna thrives in pursuit of doctorate degree in physical therapy
Kelsey Lardner’s experience as a Biological Sciences major and volleyball player at Dominican served her so well that she is in pursuit of her doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Dominican receives PacWest Academic Achievement Award again
Dominican’s student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom. Since the University’s 2009 transition to NCAA Division II athletics, Dominican has led the Pacific West Conference in academic performance for seven out of the last eight years.
Panetta Congressional intern has impactful experience in D.C.
For Sayra Trejo ’18, a double major in Political Science and Communication/Media Studies, the opportunity to serve as a Panetta Institute Congressional intern during the fall semester was an ideal time for her to be in Washington, D.C.
Denise Lucy joins Marin General Hospital Board of Directors
The Marin General Hospital Board of Directors has appointed Dr. Denise Lucy, Founder and Executive Director of Dominican University of California’s Institute for Leadership Studies (ILS) and Professor of Business & Organizational Studies, as a new member of the hospital board.
Occupational Therapy professor presents autism research in Iran
Dr. Laura Greiss Hess, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, traveled to Iran in December to present her research and clinical experience focused on working with children diagnosed with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
MBA grad turns Capstone project into health care product company
The road to Rob Chase’s role as founder and president of NewGen Surgical traveled through Dominican in more ways than one.
Fletcher Jones Foundation Grant supports Digital Learning Lab
The Fletcher Jones Foundation has awarded Dominican University of California a $600,000 grant to establish the Fletcher Jones Foundation Digital Learning Lab in the Archbishop Alemany Library, President Mary B. Marcy announced today.
Environmental chemistry class inspires recent alum to new career
When Victor David ’17 arrived at Dominican, he thought he would one day become a neurosurgeon. One class and one professor helped him change his mind – and follow his heart -- and sent Victor on his way to a new and exciting career.
Research by Dominican professor examines State of Union Address
Reporters from USA Today and the San Jose Mercury News talked with Dominican University political scientist Alison Howard about President Trump’s first State of the Union address. Howard and colleague Donna Hoffman, professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Northern Iowa, have spent more than a decade studying how presidents use the State of the Union address to communicate with the public and request legislation of Congress.
Dr. Ruth Ramsey named Dean of School of Health and Natural Sciences
Dr. Ruth Ramsey has been appointed Dean of the School of Health and Natural Sciences (HNS) at Dominican University of California.
President Marcy elected to Executive Committee of CIC Board of Directors
Dominican University President Mary B. Marcy has been elected to the Executive Committee of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Board of Directors. President Marcy will serve a two-year term from January 2018 to January 2020.
Student broadcasters getting hands-on real-world experience
They sat side by side at courtside to broadcast Dominican basketball games in the Conlan Center this past season, but classmates Brandon Cadiz ’20 and Forrest Hunt ’20 came to Dominican from different directions to achieve their goals.
Madeleine Albright final speaker in 2018 Spring Lecture Series
Longtime journalist Maria Shriver, former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, activist Cecile Richards, award-winning novelist and short story writer George Saunders, and One Book One Marin honoree Arlie Russell Hochschild headlined the 2018 Spring Leadership Lecture Series at Dominican University of California.
Inspiring student immersion trip to El Salvador has farreaching impact
Three years ago, Lianni Castro ‘04, assistant director of Campus Ministry, volunteered to have her hair shaved to lead a “Bald for a Change” women’s rights fundraiser. She did so to benefit in part CoMadres, a committee of mothers and relatives of prisoners established in 1977 to discover the truth behind the disappeared and politically assassinated during El Salvador’s civil war.
Business of learning energized alum to return to Dominican for MBA
When it came time for Zach Norman ’11 to pursue his MBA, he had many options.
Dominican, City of Novato program focuses on reimagining citizenship
Dominican University of California and the City of Novato are creating a unique scholarship program in which students will receive a high quality college education while engaging with the community through local government. Students will gain both the intellectual capacity and the practical experience necessary to serve as informed, engaged citizens in their own community.
Students bring Shakespeare, social justice to San Quentin visits
English major Rebecca Van Horn ’18, Business major Nhan Pham ‘19, and Dance major Bri Wilson ’18 never imagined that their shared love of Shakespeare would lead them into San Quentin State Prison and captivate them with a revealing and rewarding connection to inmates.
Occupational Therapy alumni providing impact in community
The opportunity to earn two degrees from Dominican provided Sabrena McCarley ’04 and ’09 MBA with the education and foundation to be a confident leader, which she applies to her position now as Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) Chair for the Advocacy and Government Affairs Committee.
Nursing/OT students collaborate on program to support senior citizens
Samantha Naguit ’18 has always known she wants to be a nurse. Caring for others is in her blood.
Student-athlete fast-breaking into valuable business internship
When Xavier Williams ’19 came to Dominican from Southern California to play basketball, he embraced the team effort that surrounded him on campus. In addition to scoring on the court, he has scored a big internship off the court.
New study at Dominican identifies intervention to reduce coral damage
As rising ocean temperatures threaten the health and long-term survival of coral reefs, a new study by researchers from Dominican University of California has identified interventions that can substantially reduce the damage to corals during periods of high water temperature.