Graduate Student in TVI Program Awarded Statewide Scholarship

Emily Griffin smiling with shoulder-length straight blond har.

Emily Griffin ’21 was awarded a scholarship from the NYS Association for the Education and Visually Impaired (NYSAER).

A Dominican College student finishing up her master’s degree in the Teachers for the Blind and credits her sister who has multiple disabilities – including a visual impairment – with being one of the reasons she chose this profession.

“While we were growing up, she was home-schooled, so we always had different therapists and teachers – including teachers of the visually impaired – coming in and I loved how happy she was, how she loved school, and how her teachers knew her so well. That definitely made me want to do the same for someone one day.”

In addition, Emily was inspired by her mom,  who is a teacher of the visually impaired and very passionate about her job. Emily is employed as an itinerant teacher for Eastern Suffolk BOCES, working with students who are visually impaired in a number of different schools.

March 19, 2021

Palisades Institute Discusses Impact of COVID-19 on Women in Business

Tammy Jersey, President, TKJ Associates, was one of the panelists participating in the Palisades Institute forum on “The Impact of COVID-19 on Women in Business and Its Implications for the Future.”

The Palisades Institute held a Zoom panel discussion on “The Impact of COVID-19 on Women in Business and Its Implications for the Future” on March 10, 2021, as part of its continuing series on the pandemic’s wide-ranging effect on businesses.

Ivan Rudolph-Shabinsky, Director of the Business Administration Division at Dominican College and co-moderator of the event, said that the pandemic is creating a so-called “shecession.”  “It’s hit women harder than previous recessions.  When you look at every previous recession — it’s impacted financial markets; it’s impacted the goods-producing sectors where men have historically held the majority of jobs,” he said. “This pandemic has impacted pretty much the service sector most severely and that’s a sector that’s over-represented by women, so they’ve been hit in a big way there.” Rudolph-Shabinsky added that women have also been forced out of the workforce or had to adjust their work because of caregiving responsibilities for children.

The panelists all agreed that companies and businesses have had to be flexible and responsive to operate successfully through the pandemic.  When it comes to lessons we’ve learned, Tammy Jersey, President, TKJ Associates said, “I think one of the most important things that companies have started to do, and need to continue doing, is be open to new ways of operating, which means being willing to be flexible, being willing to hear new ideas and experiment with them, and to remove responses that might have been there in the past, like ‘no,’ and ‘I can’t,’ and ‘but.’”

Other panelists included Susan Gerard, Director, Human Resources, SUEZ North America, and Kate Wysokowski, Regional & Community Affairs Manager, Orange & Rockland.

March 10, 2021

Dominican College to Launch New Rowing Club

"Ivan

In fall 2021, Dominican College will launch a new Rowing Club, with men’sand women’s teams.  The club will compete against collegiate teams in the New York area, regional races including the New York State Collegiate Championships, and some national races – including the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia.

Coach Ivan Rudolph-Shabinsky is looking for interested incoming students and current students to join the Rowing Club and stresses that no experience is necessary.  He said there are many national team rowers who didn’t start rowing until college.  “This creates a wonderful opportunity for the late-blooming athlete who has not yet found ‘their sport’ to try rowing and know that, even if they start only in college, they have the possibility of reaching the highest levels of the sport,” he said.

Rudolph-Shabinsky, Director of the Business Division at Dominican College, is an accomplished rower and coach who began his career at Cornell University.  He continued racing as an adult – most recently winning a gold medal in a masters four in 2019 at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta.  He is also president of the Rockland Rowing Association, where he coaches youth rowers and competes as a masters rower.

Dominican College has partnered with Rockland Rowing to develop the Rowing Club.  Rockland Rowing is completing a new rowing center at Rockland Lake this spring that will include the new Crestron Rowing Pavilion, a low-profile eco-dock, and a buoyed 10-lane course.

Those interested in joining the Rowing Club, should click here for more information or contact Coach Rudolph-Shabinsky at i.rudolph-shabinsky@duny.edu.

March 4, 2021

Dominican College to Launch New Rowing Club

"Ivan

In fall 2021, Dominican College will launch a new Rowing Club, with men’sand women’s teams.  The club will compete against collegiate teams in the New York area, regional races including the New York State Collegiate Championships, and some national races – including the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia.

Coach Ivan Rudolph-Shabinsky is looking for interested incoming students and current students to join the Rowing Club and stresses that no experience is necessary.  He said there are many national team rowers who didn’t start rowing until college.  “This creates a wonderful opportunity for the late-blooming athlete who has not yet found ‘their sport’ to try rowing and know that, even if they start only in college, they have the possibility of reaching the highest levels of the sport,” he said.

Rudolph-Shabinsky, Director of the Business Division at Dominican College, is an accomplished rower and coach who began his career at Cornell University.  He continued racing as an adult – most recently winning a gold medal in a masters four in 2019 at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta.  He is also president of the Rockland Rowing Association, where he coaches youth rowers and competes as a masters rower.

Dominican College has partnered with Rockland Rowing to develop the Rowing Club.  Rockland Rowing is completing a new rowing center at Rockland Lake this spring that will include the new Crestron Rowing Pavilion, a low-profile eco-dock, and a buoyed 10-lane course.

Those interested in joining the Rowing Club, should click here for more information or contact Coach Rudolph-Shabinsky at i.rudolph-shabinsky@duny.edu.

March 4, 2021

Healthcare Symposium Tackles Obesity

Joan Facelle, MD, moderated the 7th Annual Healthcare Symposium, “Obesityand Weight Gain During the Pandemic,” on February 23, 2021.

During the 7th Annual Healthcare Symposium, “Obesity and Weight Gain During the Pandemic,” a panel of experts discussed the “quarantine 15” and how obese patients fared with COVID-19.

Lisa Hirsch, MD, an Internist with Bon Secours Medical Group, stressed that obesity increases the risk of poor outcomes with COVID-19. “It not only increases the risk of severe illness, but increases the need for critical care services.  It triples the risk of hospitalizations, increases the risk of death, and although it is too early with the vaccine to know, other vaccines have had decreased efficacy with overweight people,”  she said.

Hirsh said that factors leading to pandemic weight gain included stress, boredom, gyms closing down, more accessibility to the kitchen, and an increase in baking. Her advice to lose the weight involved three steps:  motivation, plan, and compliance.

Other panelists included Jill L. Brodsky, MD, Pediatric Endocrinologist, CareMount Medical Urgent Care; Michelle S. Kleinman, Public Health Nutritionist, Rockland County Department of Health; and Robert Ranieri, Senior Vice President, Rose & Kiernan, Inc.

The symposium took place via Zoom on February 23, 2021, and was moderated by Joan Facelle, MD, Former Rockland County Commissioner of Health and Vice Chair of the Dominican College Board of Trustees.

February 24, 2021

Dominican College President Elected to Council of Independent Colleges Board

Photo of Sr. Mary Eileen O'Brien outdoors on the campus of Dominican College

Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D.., President of Dominican College, was elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the Council of Independent Colleges.

Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D., President of Dominican College, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), based in Washington, D.C.

The CIC is a national association of independent colleges and universities dedicated to supporting college and university leadership; advancing institutional excellence; and enhancing public understanding of private higher education’s contributions to society.

“The wisdom and dedication of the members of the Board of Directors ensure that CIC continues to address the issues of greatest importance to its member colleges and universities,” said CIC President Richard Ekman. “We are grateful to these busy and distinguished individuals for their generous service to independent higher education through CIC’s Board of Directors.

Sr. Mary Eileen is one of seven presidents of colleges and universities across the country who were newly elected to the CIC Board of Directors.

February 8, 2021

Dominican College President Elected to Council of Independent Colleges Board

Photo of Sr. Mary Eileen O'Brien outdoors on the campus of Dominican College

Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D.., President of Dominican College, was elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the Council of Independent Colleges.

Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D., President of Dominican College, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), based in Washington, D.C.

The CIC is a national association of independent colleges and universities dedicated to supporting college and university leadership; advancing institutional excellence; and enhancing public understanding of private higher education’s contributions to society.

“The wisdom and dedication of the members of the Board of Directors ensure that CIC continues to address the issues of greatest importance to its member colleges and universities,” said CIC President Richard Ekman. “We are grateful to these busy and distinguished individuals for their generous service to independent higher education through CIC’s Board of Directors.

Sr. Mary Eileen is one of seven presidents of colleges and universities across the country who were newly elected to the CIC Board of Directors.

February 8, 2021

Hospital CEOs Discuss COVID Vaccine at Palisades Institute Forum

Montefiore Nyack Hospital CEO Dr. Mark Geller assured those participating in a Palisades Institute forum on COVID-19 that the rapid development of the vaccines should not be a concern.  He stressed that  research and development about coronaviruses and Messenger RNA have been going on for years.  What was speeded up, Dr. Geller explained, was production of a vaccine that was targeted to this particular virus.  Dr. Geller cautioned against waiting to get a vaccine or trying to get one vaccine over the other.  He said both vaccines are safe and effective.

“When and if a vaccine is available to you – take it.  Don’t ask which one it is – take it,” said Dr. Geller. “The sooner we get to 80% vaccination of the community, the sooner we will return to normalcy —  in the economy, in our personal lives — until we get to that place of what is called herd immunity,”

Bon Secours Charity Health System CEO Dr. Mary Leahy also participated in the January 14, 2021 Zoom forum.  “Masks work. Social distancing works.  We believe the vaccine works and if we are just patient and continue to do those things we will be in a far better place by the end of this year,” she said. ”But we all have to do this together.”  Both Dr. Geller and Dr. Leahy expect the availability of the vaccine to increase in the near future.

About 125 people participated in the Palisades Institute forum, “Defining the Future:  The Impact of COVID-19 on Rockland County’s Healthcare System.”

January 14, 2021

TD Bank Supports Student Success Program

Kennee Torres is one of the students who benefited from the TD Bank grant by receiving a new laptop to use for schoolwork.

The TD Bank Charitable Foundation has awarded Dominican College a $5,000 grant to support its Student Success Program.  Students in the program who need laptops to do schoolwork are able to access them through this grant.

Kennee Torres, a junior communication studies student, is among the students who received a new laptop.  He is using it to do schoolwork and log into his classes remotely.  “It benefits me in a lot of ways,” he said.  “It’s much easier than having to use my cell phone.”

The Student Success Program provides regular enrichment labs and a “ReCharge” class that educates students on effective study habits, notetaking, time management, and personal finance.  The additional structure and support put students on a path to improved academic performance.

December 18, 2020

College VP Joins Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. Advisory Board

Joseph Valenti, Dominican College Vice President for Institutional Advancement, has joined the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC) Advisory Board of Directors.

The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC) announced on November 17, 2020 that Dominican College Vice President for Institutional Advancement Joseph Valenti has joined the HVEDC Advisory Board of Directors.

Mike Oates, President & CEO of HVEDC, said, “Developing a partnership with local educational institutions is important to grow the regional economy. We look forward to further developing a relationship with Joe and his team at Dominican College to help create and prepare a developed workforce that will keep skilled workers living and employed in the Hudson Valley.”

HVEDC is the leading economic development agency for the seven-county region of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan counties. The public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants, and real estate brokers.

Valenti said he looked forward to working with the HVEDC Board and has long admired their leadership skills and dedication to the betterment of the greater Hudson Valley community.

December 4, 2020

Forum Held on Doing Business in the Age of COVID-19

The four business leaders who shared advice at the forum “Defining the Future: The Shifting Business Landscape of the Lower Hudson Valley Region due to COVID-19” include Walter Goldman (top photo) Howard Hellman, Hal Roth, and Rob Mayer (left to right).

Four business leaders shared advice on how to survive and thrive during COVID-19 during a Palisades Institute Forum via Zoom on November 10, 2020.

Although businesses are dealing with health concerns and financial hardships, Walter Goldman of Goldkap Consulting Group in Suffern, NY, said there is a silver lining.  “From a business perspective, these are very exciting times,” he said.  “And I know when I say that, people are surprised by it, but the reality is that business entrepreneurs and business executives kind of thrive on disruption. They thrive on disruption.  They thrive on a changing marketing environment, which obviously there is.”

Goldman’s advice was to adapt to the new environment, innovate with bold initiatives and new services,  and look for efficiencies.  The others business leaders who took part in the discussion, “Defining the Future: The Shifting Business Landscape of the Lower Hudson Valley Region due to COVID-19”  included Howard Hellman of All Bright Electric in West Nyack, NY; Rob Mayer of Autopro in Spring Valley, NY; and Hal Roth of All Recycling, in Newburgh, NY.

November 10, 2020

Biology Students Get Career Advice From Regeneron Scientists

Regeneron scientists gave students career advice on Zoom as part of the Regeneron Day for Doing Good.

Scientists who work at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. shared their educational background and career paths with Dominican College biology students during a Zoom panel discussion on Monday, October 26, 2020.

The advice from Lyndon Mitnaul, Ph.D., Senior Director, Research Program Management at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., was to be exposed to a lot of different careers so the students could find where they would “fit” best.   Mitnaul told the students he had a “take-home lesson” for them.  “Make your future where you can make a difference.  I think that’s really the take-home,” he said.  “There’s a lot of opportunity where you can play a role if you are interested in drug discovery and development.  You just need to find out where you can make that difference.”

The panel discussions with students are part of Regeneron’s Day for Doing Good project where Regeneron employees volunteer in the local community.  Volunteer New York! and the Dominican College Career Development Center coordinated the event.

October 27, 2020