Under the redesigned IT major at Dominican University, students will be able to take more specialized courses.
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has approved a redesigned information technology (IT) major at Dominican University that will allow students to take more specialized technology courses. NYSED also approved a new cybersecurity concentration within the IT major.
Ivan Rudolph-Shabinsky, Director of the Division of Business, Innovation, and Leadership, said that the revamped IT major is a stand-alone program, “We previously offered an IT major as part of our business program, which required a 9-course business core. Students in the new program will still be able to take business courses, but their requirements will be focused on courses in information technology, allowing students to delve much deeper into the field and into the four concentrations we offer: infrastructure, application development, cybersecurity, and public health informatics & technology “
The cybersecurity concentration will be offered through the Lower Cost Model Consortium (LCMC), which is a coalition of small and mid-sized colleges and universities that have committed to making college more accessible. Under the program, students take almost all classes on campus and then take three to five classes online through the LCMC for a concentration in specialized, high demand fields. Dominican University also offers concentrations in digital marketing, public health, and neuroscience through the LCMC.
September 20, 2023
Founders Week Keynote Address Inspires Students
Sr. Arlene Flaherty delivered the keynote address during the 2023 celebration of Founders Week at Dominican University.
Students attending the 2023 Founders Week kickoff event were inspired by the story of a 20th century Italian university student who has reached the first stage of sainthood. Alumna Sr. Arlene Flaherty, O.P., D.Min., delivered the keynote address on September 19, 2023, in the Lawrence Room of Rosary Hall. She spoke to students about the Dominican tradition and the short life of Giorgio Frassati, a Dominican lay person who cared for the poor and was committed to changing unjust social and political systems.
Sr. Arlene told students that questions such as “Why am I here?” and “What do I want to do with my life?” are critical questions that lead to choosing a vocation. She encouraged the students to think about how they will use their gifts. “Our country is at a crossroads. What will you bring to the work of making America a place of welcome, safety, and a country where all can thrive? To what effort can you add your support — healthcare, earth’s sustainability, children’s rights, teaching, care for the vulnerable, justice work, research? Where are you called to live and work in harmony with your nature?” she asked.
Sr. Arlene has a long, distinguished career working to further education, justice, and peace around the world. Her work has taken her to Haiti, Jamaica, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Ecuador. In Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria she documented the impact of war on children and refugees. She represented the Dominican Family at the United Nation’s Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, composing and presenting an oral argument that the war in Iraq and the implementation of crippling sanctions on Iraq constituted a violation of article 13 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
September 19, 2023
Rockland’s Five Town Supervisors Speak to Business Leaders at University
Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht, Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, Orangetown Supervisor Teresa Kenny, Haverstraw Supervisor Howard Phillips, and Stony Point Supervisor James Monaghan.
Business executives heard from Rockland’s five town leaders at the second annual Town Supervisor Forum, on Wednesday, September 23, 2023. The event was organized by the Palisades Institute of Dominican University.
Chair of the Palisades Institute, and former County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef, introduced the forum by pointing out that the Supervisors are in effect CEO’s of the “down home, real government” that people rely on. “You should know, if you don’t, that town government is where the rubber meets the road. It is the government that is perhaps the most important to our people – our citizens. It deals with building. It deals with zoning, It deals with police. It deals with parks and recreation. It deals with highways,” he said.
The participants in the forum included Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann, Haverstraw Town Supervisor Howard Phillips, Orangetown Town Supervisor Teresa Kenny, Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht, and Stony Point Town Supervisor James Monaghan. Among the topics discussed were the need for affordable housing, the fentanyl crisis, rising police costs, and the loss of civility in politics.
September 13, 2023
DU, M&T Bank, and BRIDGES Announce Initiative to Encourage Entrepreneurship
The “Unlocking the Small Business Potential” seminar will be held at Dominican University on September 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Dominican University New York, M&T Bank, and BRIDGES, all leading advocates for economic development and entrepreneurship, have announced a comprehensive three-part initiative aimed at unlocking the entrepreneurial potential in the Lower Hudson Valley. This initiative seeks to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and provide them with the necessary tools and resources to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape.
Part One: “Unlocking Small Business Potential” Seminar
Kicking off the initiative is a dynamic and informative half-day seminar “Unlocking Small Business Potential.” This seminar will be held at Dominican University on Friday, September 8, and will equip individuals with the essential knowledge, skills, and strategies to launch and grow a successful small business. Participants will learn from industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and experienced business mentors who will share invaluable insights, practical advice, and real-world examples. Topics will include business planning, marketing strategies, financial management, and navigating regulatory challenges. Individuals who have a disability, as well as minority, veteran, and formerly-incarcerated business owners, and those interested in starting a business are strongly encouraged to register for this informative session, which will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Part Two: Small Business Incubator and Case Competition
Participants in the “Unlocking Small Business Potential” seminar will have the opportunity to enroll in a six-week accelerated incubator and competition. This intensive program will provide hands-on guidance and mentorship, enabling entrepreneurs to refine their business concepts, develop robust business plans, and gain a deeper understanding of market dynamics. Throughout the incubator, participants will engage in a case competition, showcasing their innovative solutions to a panel of judges consisting of industry experts and community-based investors. The competition will not only provide invaluable feedback, but also offer participants the opportunity to secure seed funding and other essential resources to launch their ventures. The course will be held on Wednesday evenings (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) on Dominican University’s campus. Enrollment will begin in August and is limited to 40 participants, all of whom will earn credit toward an undergraduate or graduate degree. Further details are available from DUNY faculty member Matt Schiering, at matt.schiering@duny.edu.
Part Three: Enrollment in Dominican University’s MBA or MSOLC programs.
Recognizing the importance of continuous education and professional development, the initiative offers participants the chance to enroll in Dominican University’s prestigious AACSB accredited Master of Business Administration (MBA) or M.S. in Organizational Leadership & Communication (MSOLC) programs. These programs equip students with the advanced business knowledge, leadership skills, and global perspectives required to excel in today’s complex business environment. Through this partnership, aspiring entrepreneurs can benefit from a comprehensive academic foundation while accessing valuable networking opportunities and mentorship from industry leaders.
“We believe that investing in the next generation of business leaders right here in our community is a smart business decision; one that supports our mantra of ‘Doing Business Right,’” said Ivan Rudolph-Shabinsky, Director of Dominican University’s Division of Business.
M&T Bank, Dominican University, and BRIDGES are committed to supporting and fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Lower Hudson Valley. By providing access to educational resources, practical training, and real-world opportunities, they aim to empower individuals and create a robust network of successful entrepreneurs, driving economic growth and innovation across the region.
“M&T is committed to investing in the growth and development of emerging leaders in our community and we are proud to be able to support this program,” said Tyre Robinson, M&T Bank’s Tarrytown Regional President.
Carlos Martinez, CEO of BRIDGES, said, “We are thrilled to partner with M&T and Dominican University to bring a strong small business development curriculum to a broad group of aspiring entrepreneurs, and specifically to those representing populations that would benefit most from mentorship and compassionate counsel.” BRIDGES provides resources for people with a variety of disabilities and works to overcome barriers, stigma, indifference, and the quiet prejudice of low expectations.
Registration for the “Unlocking Small Business Potential” seminar is open and will be capped at 100 participants. Interested individuals can visit www.BridgesRC.org to secure a spot. Registration is $98.00, with waivers for those with economic hardships and/or disabilities handled upon request. For more information about enrolling in Dominican University’s MBA program, please visit https://www.duny.edu/mba/.
July 18, 2023
Professor Mike Kelly Receives Prestigious Golden Apple Award for 50+ Years of Outstanding Service to Education
The Mid-Hudson School Study Council has bestowed upon Professor Mike Kelly the esteemed Golden Apple Award, recognizing his remarkable dedication and unparalleled contributions to the field of education.
With over five decades of unwavering commitment, Dr. Kelly has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership and expertise in shaping the landscape of education. As the Director of Graduate Programs in Education at Dominican University, Dr. Kelly has played a pivotal role in elevating the institution’s education program to new heights. His knowledge, innovative methodologies, and passion have inspired countless educators and transformed the lives of students across the region.
Dr. Kelly’s contributions to the field have had a profound impact on the educational landscape, ensuring the provision of top-notch education for countless students. His guidance has shaped the minds and hearts of educators, empowering them to make a lasting difference in the lives of their students.
About the M.S. in Education Programs:
Dominican University’s M.S. in Education programs have been designed in consultation with educators and they are delivered by expert faculty who actively practice in the field. The curriculum is crafted to provide comprehensive knowledge and practical skills necessary for success in the education profession.
To accommodate the busy schedules of working adults, classes are scheduled every other week on Saturdays and Sundays, allowing for convenient participation. The program offers flexibility, enabling students to complete their coursework within a minimum of 18 months or extend it up to three years. All programs adhere to the University’s quarter system, culminating in the Master of Science degree (M.S. in Ed.) and eligibility for New York State Certification.
For more information about our M.S. in Education programs and how to apply, please click here
June 20, 2023
Alum Donates $1 Million to Dominican University
The Granito Center on the Dominican University New York campus.
Dominican University New York has received a $1 million donation from an alum, who wishes to remain anonymous.
“We are indeed grateful for this donor, and all of our benefactors,” said Joseph Valenti, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, we are able to offer financial aid packages and scholarships that make an education at Dominican University affordable, even to first-generation college students who make up more than 30 percent of our student body”
All first-time, full-time freshman receive some form of financial aid at Dominican University. In addition, students leave Dominican with 27 percent less debt than the national average.
June 14, 2023
Women’s Lacrosse Captures First CACC Tournament Championship
The Dominican University New York women’s lacrosse team won the first CACC Tournament Championship in Program history.
The Dominican University New York women’s lacrosse team captured its first CACC Tournament Championship on May 7, 2023, with a double overtime victory over the Rams of Thomas Jefferson University 12-11.
Head Coach Rob Grella said, “Being able to win a CACC Championship is an unforgettable experience. This team has worked relentlessly over the past two years to become a top program. It’s a pleasure to coach such a humble and hardworking group of girls and I could not be more proud of them.”
Dominican got off to a strong start with a 5-1 lead after the first quarter. The Rams fought their way back in the second quarter by scoring three goals. The Rams used a strong third quarter to jump out in front over Dominican by scoring six of the first seven goals of the second half. Dominican ended the run with two late goals in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 10-8. Madelyn Grella and Grace DeStasio scored the first two goals for the quarter to tie the game at 10-10. With 8:44 remaining, the Rams got a one goal advantage. Dominican answered with the tying goal and the game entered overtime. In the second OT Period, Jenna Rigo made a pass to Grella who scored the game-winning goal to secure the title. DeStasio was named the Most Valuable Player in the tournament.
The Lady Chargers completed the season 17-2 overall.
May 23, 2023
Award-Winning TV Journalist Speaks With Students
TV journalist Sarah Wallace speaks with students at Dominican University on April 20, 2023.
Award-winning TV Journalist Sarah Wallace spoke with students about the highlights and challenges of her long career when she visited Dominican University. During “An Evening with Sarah Wallace” on April 20, 2023, Wallace also answered many questions from engaged students.
After 30 years at WABC-NY News, Wallace said she moved to WNBC-NY to join an expanding investigative unit. “That has always been my passion,“ she said. “I love breaking news. I love doing live reporting. But it’s the stories where I think that we can make a difference that are the ones that resonate for me.”
Criminal Justice Instructor Hilda Kogut, a former FBI agent, arranged for Sarah Wallace to come to campus, sat on stage with her, and asked her questions during the forum in the Lawrence Room of Rosary Hall. Wallace said her specialty is covering the stories of those who are wrongfully convicted.
Wallace has more than 30 years of experience as a TV journalist. In addition to earning 19 Emmy Awards for journalistic excellence, Wallace has been recognized with the prestigious George Foster Peabody award, two Edward R. Murrow Awards, and three Robert Greene Awards for Investigative Journalism from the Long Island Fair Media Council.
April 24, 2023
A Top Federal Official Visits Dominican University to Discuss Health Information Technology
Lisa Lewis of the ONC speaks to attendees at a panel discussion on the role of information technology in public health on March 29, 2023, in the Holt Room of the Hennessy Center.
A top federal official from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) visited Dominican University March 28 – 29, 2023, to check on the progress of the University’s new Public Health Informatics & Technology (PHIT) Program.
Lisa Lewis, Deputy National Coordinator and Chief Operating Officer at the ONC, explained that Dominican University was among just ten institutions nationwide to receive a grant aimed at increasing the diversity of students entering the growing PHIT field. “We wanted to see what those universities could do, the students they could reach, the difference they could make, the communities they could touch,” she said. “We also want to reach students that probably have never even thought about a career in public health or technology or informatics. And so the PHIT program was born from that desire.”
Lewis said she was excited that Dominican University, which received a $2.2 million ONC grant, was the only grantee looking at emergency services. She applauded the University and the Rockland County community for tackling difficult subjects. Two panel discussions were held in the Holt Room of the Hennessy Center during her visit. One discussion explored the use of information technology in emergency services. The other panel discussion addressed key public health issues facing Rockland County and how information technology can be part of the solution. Lewis said the vision of the ONC is better health enabled by data.
Among the things that the ONC is looking to change is that right now a person’s zip code is the greatest indicator of their health outcomes. “The fact that regardless of all the progress we’ve made, where I live will tell you more about my life expectancy, the quality of my health, the quality of my life, than anything else. And that’s where Public Health comes in. And that’s where the data and the informatics and the systems come in,” said Lewis.
Dominican University offers a PHIT concentration in the Health Sciences major and Information Technology major, as well as a PHIT minor and a PHIT certificate program. For more information on the program, contact Assistant Professor Carrie Boericke at carrie.boericke@duny.edu.
March 29, 2023
Biology Students Research Work Published
Madison Newman
Three 2022 biology graduates have had the research they completed at Dominican University New York published in Microbiology Resource Announcements, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology. Bernadette Connors, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, said students Madison Newman, Darlenys Sanchez and Anna Acosta studied the impacts of pollution in our local waterways and the persistence of potentially harmful bacteria in the water. The students worked in summer 2021 and throughout the 2021-2022 academic year on the research. The work was supported by a National Science Foundation grant to Connors (award #1950018).
Darlenys Sanchez and Anna Acosta
Connors said students who work on research projects at Dominican University have a unique opportunity to understand science from the perspective of research scientists. It is particularly impressive that the students had two articles published. “Publishing in a peer-reviewed journal means that other scientists in the field have recognized the quality and value of this work,” she said. “These publications not only promote science but are necessary to advance students in the STEM field, be it the workforce or graduate school.”
Two of the students, Newman and Acosta, will start their Ph.D. in fall 2023. Newman presented the work at the Beta Beta Beta NE1 regional convention at Elmira College in 2022, earning second place in the poster category. She also presented the work at a joint lab meeting at UMass Amherst with the Ma Lab. The papers published were titled “Taxonomic Profiling of Microbes in Glyphosate-Treated Sediment Microcosms” and “Amplicons, Metagenomes, and Metatranscriptomes from Sediment and Water.”
March 19, 2023
Lady Chargers Win 2023 CACC Championship
The Dominican University New York women’s basketball team after winning the CACC Championship Tournament.
The Dominican University New York women’s basketball team won their second Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Women’s Basketball Championship in the last three years after defeating the top seed from the north division, Post University, 63-54, on March 5, 2023, The final game in the Championship Tournament was played at the Gallagher Athletic, Recreation and Convocation Center on the campus of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Cayla Howard (Naugatuck, Conn.) poured in 21 points and eight rebounds to lead the Lady Chargers in the victory. Alexis Suarez (Poughquag, N.Y.) added 14 points, while handing out seven assists, grabbing five rebounds and swiping a pair of steals, as she was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Tanasha Mills (New City, N.Y.) followed with 13, as those three — along with Chidinma Ndukauba (Brooklyn, N.Y.) — were named to the CACC Women’s Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team.
Dominican held a 33-26 lead at halftime and led throughout the second half. Post, though, didn’t fold and pulled to within two at 54-52 with 2:30 remaining on a three-point basket from Haines. However, the Lady Chargers countered by scoring the next nine points including seven from Howard on five throws and a layup with just :28 left. The closing surge sealed the win and Dominican’s championship celebration.
The Lady Chargers held a narrow 11-8 lead after the first 10 minutes, but then went for 22 points in the second quarter in building the seven-point lead at the break. The teams played to a 12-all ledger in the third quarter before Dominican’s closing surge capped it.
Dominican was a hot 7-of-13 from beyond the arc including Mills‘ perfect 3-for-3 clip from deep. Howard was 2-for-3 as well.
March 10, 2023
Dominican University Secures $1.98 Million Federal Grant for Enhanced Technology
Russell Diaz, Chief Information Officer, works with student intern Romauld Alexander in the IT skills lab.
Dominican University New York has been awarded a $1.98 million federal grant to provide the campus community with enhanced technology, increased broadband access, and additional IT training and support. The grant is part of the Biden Administration’s Internet for All initiative and comes from the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
The NTIA announced that 61 minority-serving colleges and universities across the country received grants through the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. Dominican University New York was the only institution of higher education in New York State to receive a grant.
“We are so grateful to have secured this grant which will enable us to fund technological improvements on campus and will greatly enhance the educational experience of our students,” said Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D., President, Dominican University New York.
The project entitled “DU Connections: Building Broadband and IT Capacity” has a number of components.
Wireless access on the Dominican University campus will be improved with the addition of wireless access points.
The University will purchase hotspot access equipment, Wi-Fi extenders, and headphones to be lent to students for long-term use.
Additional IT staff members will be hired to offer technological training and support to students, faculty, and staff on internal systems such as Jenzabar, Blackboard, the DUNY app, and other software packages that support the educational mission.
Video cameras and podcasting equipment will be purchased to facilitate experiential learning with technology on campus and enhance remote learning.
Additional student interns will be hired in the IT office to offer additional assistance to the DU community and to strengthen their skills.
These activities will be developed and administered by a project leadership team that will be led by Russell Diaz, Chief Information Officer.
