U.S. News & World Report Ranks Dominican University New York a Top National University for Social Mobility
Dominican University New York has been recognized as a 2025 top National University for Social Mobility.
Dominican University New York has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top National University for Social Mobility for 2025. Ever since the new category was introduced in 2019, Dominican University has been recognized by U.S. News for improving the outcome of graduating college students.
In the National Universities category, Dominican University was ranked No. 51 for social mobility. It is among the top three private New York universities in the National Universities category recognized for social mobility. Top performers in this category are more successful than other universities at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded Pell Grants.
“Dominican University New York is so proud to be recognized, once again, for our efforts to promote social mobility among our student population,” said Manuel Martínez, Ph.D., President, Dominican University New York. “We believe that all young people, no matter what their economic background, deserve access to higher education. We also make sure that our students have the support they need to succeed in the classroom and graduate. A top-notch education at Dominican University will open many doors for our students to a successful future.”
Dominican University is considered a National University, which is defined as an institution that offers a full range of undergraduate majors as well as master’s and doctoral degrees. In addition to a wide range of undergraduate programs, Dominican University offers master programs in business, nursing, education, occupational therapy, and organizational leadership & communication. It also offers doctorate degrees in nursing and physical therapy. Dominican University is the only university located in Rockland County, New York, 17 miles from New York City.
Over the past several years, Dominican University has been awarded several large federal grants to enhance STEM programs, launch a new Public Health Informatics and Technology Program, upgrade technology on campus, and fund a new occupational therapy initiative.
September 24, 2024
Dominican University New York Names New President
Dr. Manuel Martínez from Mercy College of Ohio Will Become the First Lay President of Dominican University New York
Dominican University New York has named Dr. Manuel Martínez, Ph.D., as the new president of the University, effective July 15, 2024. Martínez replaces Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D., who retired as of January 1, 2024, after serving two separate terms as president, for a total of 35 years.
After Sr. Mary Eileen announced her retirement, the Dominican University Board of Trustees launched a nationwide search for a new president, with the help of the professional search firm AGB Search, and tapped Sr. Mary Hughes, O.P., Ed.D., to serve as interim president, while a permanent replacement was chosen.
“We are grateful that talented candidates from all over the country applied for the position and were interested in guiding Dominican University into the future,” said Steven Sabatini, Chair, Dominican University New York Board of Trustees. “Dr. Martínez rose to the top of the candidates because of his impressive academic and administrative experience in higher education and his knowledge of and commitment to a Dominican education.”
Martínez will be the first layperson to lead the University in its 72-year history. Since Dominican University New York was founded in 1952 as Dominican College, there have been five presidents who were all members of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt.
Martínez is the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Dean of Faculty at Mercy College of Ohio, a Catholic College which specializes in healthcare professions. Prior to arriving at Mercy College of Ohio in 2022, he spent 18 years at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio, working his way up from an Instructor of Spanish to Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, and finally Vice President for Academic Affairs. He has extensive experience working on programs aimed at increasing enrollment. Martínez also understands the importance of balancing the benefits of a liberal arts education with workforce development.
“I am so honored and grateful to be chosen as the next president of Dominican University New York,” said Martínez. “When I spent time on campus recently, it was very clear to me that Dominican University is a very special, welcoming community that is centered on student outcomes. I have always believed that institutions of higher education must be student-centered to be successful. For me, that means educating the whole person and providing both the professional, technical preparation and the soft skills that go hand in hand.”
Martínez holds a number of advanced academic degrees including: a Ph.D. in Spanish and Latin American Literature from the University of Cincinnati; a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Ohio Dominican University; a Master of Arts in Spanish and Latin American Literature from the University of Cincinnati; and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from the University of Miami.
“I am delighted that Dr. Martínez has accepted the position of president and I feel confident leaving Dominican University in his hands.” said Sr. Hughes. “Dr. Martínez is a terrific fit for this special community, and I believe the University will flourish under his leadership. He has extensive academic, enrollment, and financial experience, and is a genuine, thoughtful individual, as demonstrated during his meetings on campus. Since Dominican University is a Hispanic Serving Institution, it is also wonderful that Dr. Martínez understands the culture of many of our students and can communicate with their families in their native language.” Sr. Hughes said she will remain in her role as interim president until July 15, and expects to work with him to ensure a seamless transition.
“The entire Dominican University community is so appreciative of Sr. Hughes for providing stability to the University during this time of transition,” said Sabatini. “Sr. Hughes began as interim president in the middle of the school year, working long hours and making critical decisions. She quickly endeared herself to everyone on campus, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and board members. We are forever indebted to her and consider her part of the Dominican University family.”
Dominican University conducted an extensive search for a new president, widely advertising and inviting interested candidates to apply, after establishing a Presidential Search and Screening Committee and hiring AGB Search. Many candidates were interviewed by the Search and Screening Committee and three finalists spent a full day on campus, meeting with and answering questions from individuals throughout the Dominican University community who were then able to provide feedback to the Board of Trustees before the Board made its final decision.
June 3, 2024
Congratulations to the Class of 2023: Watch Their Commencement Highlights
Join us as we celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of the Class of 2023. In this video, you will see some of the best moments from their graduation ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at the Westchester County Center.
Dominican University’s 69th Annual Commencement Ceremony Held on May 17, 2023
Inventor Dr. Victor Lawrence, whose discoveries led to worldwide access to the internet and HDTV, delivered the Commencement Address at the Westchester County Center
The Class of 2023 was celebrated during the 69th Annual Commencement at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY, on May 17, 2023. Inventor Victor Lawrence, Ph.D., whose discoveries led to worldwide access to the internet and HDTV, delivered the Commencement Address was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree.
Dr. Lawrence is a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, a former Vice President for Advanced Communications Technology at AT&T Bell Laboratories and Lucent Technologies, and the former Associate Dean and Charles Batchler Chair Professor of Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. He is now a Senior Research Scientist and Director of the Center for Intelligent Networked Systems at Stevens Dr. Lawrence holds 53 U.S. and international patents, is the co-author of five books and has published more than 100 papers. In addition to inventing technologies that have improved life around the globe, he is a tireless advocate for worldwide access to the internet, and committed to mentoring the next generation of inventors.
Other outstanding alumni and community members recognized during the Commencement ceremony include:
Sr. Jean Graffweg, O.P. ‘70 – Sr. Jean is the Migrant Head Start Director at House on the Hill in Goshen, NY, an early childhood and migrant seasonal Head Start center that serves the children of farmworkers in Orange County . She was awarded the Veritas Medal during Commencement. Throughout her 42 years of ministry, Sr. Jean has filled many roles at House on the Hill, serving as a kindergarten teacher, bus driver, and even a cook. The mission of House on the Hill is to provide comprehensive educational, health, social services, disability services, nutrition services, community partnerships, and family engagement to the children who are between two months and five years old.
P. Joseph Corless– Corless is a professional engineer with Corless & Associates, who has over 50 years of environmental and civil engineering activities, including construction management, general civil and municipal engineering. As a past chair of the Dominican University New York Board of Trustees, and a longtime trustee, Corless has volunteered to serve as Project Engineer to oversee the multiple facilities that the University has constructed during his time on the board. His expertise, hard work, and generous commitment to the institution have made the development of Dominican’s campus possible. Corless received an honorary Doctor of Science degree.
Daniel Colon, ’13 – Colon was awarded the Badami Outstanding Alumnus Award, a prestigious award presented to a young alumnus each year. Colon is a research and development specialist at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. He overcame a difficult childhood and knew education was the pathway to a better life. Since graduating, Colon has returned to Dominican University on several occasions to talk to our biology majors about his professional and personal journey. He also started an intern program, has mentored many Dominican University students and supported the hiring of Dominican graduates for entry level positions in the vaccine industry.
April 17, 2023
Dominican College is Now Dominican University New York
A new sign for Dominican University New York was unveiled by administrators.
Dominican College has been elevated to the status of a university, becoming the first university in Rockland County. Dominican College President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D., announced on May 18, 2022, that New York State Board of Regents has granted Dominican College university status and approved the name change to Dominican University New York.
“This is an important milestone in our history as we prepare to celebrate our 70thanniversary,” said Sr. Mary Eileen. “Changing our name to Dominican University New York brings formal recognition to the caliber of our academic programs. With our new name comes additional prestige and more opportunities for the school and our students.”
Dominican offers a range of undergraduate programs and graduate programs in nursing, business, occupational therapy, education, and organizational leadership and communication. In addition, it has the distinction of being the only institution in Rockland County to offer doctoral degrees – including Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Dominican has a strong academic reputation for its liberal arts, business, education, and health-related programs. Recently, Dominican added programs in finance, information technology, health sciences, and marketing. Dominican also caters to adult learners through programs in the evenings, on weekends, or online.
The news of the university status follows earlier announcements that Dominican had secured two federal grants, one from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the other from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Dominican was one of only 10 higher education institutions nationwide and the only one in New York State to receive the HHS grant and will use the funding to launch a new Public Health Informatics and Technology (PHIT) program this fall.
“The news about our university status coupled with the infusion of the federal funds will certainly raise the profile of our school,” said Sr. Mary Eileen. “Dominican University New York has a bright future that will serve more students from around the region and beyond.”
Dominican was granted university status by the New York State Board of Regents based on the fact that Dominican offers graduate programs in at least three of the following discipline areas: agriculture, biological sciences, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health professions, humanities, physical sciences, and social sciences.
Founded in 1952 by the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt, the College began as a two-year college for religious women to become educators. Over the years, the campus expanded to accommodate a growing enrollment and to welcome resident students. A number of new buildings were constructed including an athletics facility, residence halls, a dining hall, and a new academic building for health and science education. The most recent construction was the expansion of the Hennessy Center with a new gymnasium and fitness center. A new turf field is anticipated for 2023. Dominican has a total of 17 NCAA Division II sports teams, as well as a competitive rowing club and a new esports team.
Dominican has been named both a College of Distinction and a Catholic College of Distinction. On the U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Colleges List, Dominican was ranked #21 out of Regional Universities North for social mobility. It is also designated a Hispanic Serving Institution and was recognized as Military Friendly.
Dominican University New York moves forward with a renewed spirit and dedication to its mission to promote educational excellence, leadership, and service in an environment characterized by respect for the individual and concern for the community and its needs.
