B.A. in Criminal Justice, Dominican University

Carsen is a recent graduate of Dominican University New York Class of 2024, where he earned a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Carsen’s time at Dominican was marked not only by his academic accomplishments but also by his dedication as a pitcher on the University Baseball Team. In his freshmen year the team won the CACC Championship. As a student athlete, Carsen worked hard to find the right balance between academics and athletics and appreciated the mentorship that he received from Ryan O’Gorman, and the rest of the faculty at the University.

This year, Carsen has decided to return to Dominican University New York to continue his studies in the M.S. in Organizational Leadership and Communication program. While furthering his education, Carsen has also joined the Dominican University Staff as a Graduate Assistant Student Success Coach, in the Office of Retention and Student Success. Carsen is looking forward to helping students successfully navigate their personal and academic journey at Dominican University. Carsen’s unique perspective as a former student-athlete allows him to offer valuable insights and positive encouragement to those navigating the challenges of college life.

Beyond his role at the University, Carsen is deeply committed to community service. He actively volunteers his time with multiple fire departments as a firefighter and as an EMT Trainee, demonstrating his courage, dedication, and selflessness to serving others.

B.A. in Social Sciences, Dominican University

Daphne is a recent graduate of Dominican University New York Class of 2024. She has a B.A. in Social Sciences with a Minor in Communications and Concentration in Psychology. Throughout her undergraduate career, she was involved in many clubs including Rotaract. Daphne is bilingual, Ecuadorian, born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey. She is a first-generation college student. As the oldest of her siblings, Daphne has learned a tremendous amount of responsibility and patience. She is committed to education and assisting others achieve. She was inspired by Ryan O’Gorman and Dr. DiSiena to continue her studies in the M.S. in Organizational Leadership and Communication program at Dominican. She is hoping to gain more knowledge and acquire leadership skills allowing her to obtain roles in any higher profession. In September 2024, Daphne was selected as a Graduate Assistant Student Success Coach in the Office of Retention and Student Success where she supports students in their educational journeys. Through her role she is able to support each student improving their academic and personal paths.

M.A. in Secondary Education, Rhode Island College
A.P.D. (Advanced Professional Diploma) in Religion and Religious Education, Fordham University

Sr. Mary Ann Collins began her career in higher education serving as a Trustee at Dominican University, for over 20 years having graduated from the University when it was known as Dominican College.  She was awarded and accepted the Veritas Award in May 2005 in the name of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, founders of the University.

Sr. Mary Ann resigned from the Board of Trustees in June 2023 when she began working in the Office of Retention and Student Success as a Student Success Coach.  She has just completed her first year in that office.

B.S. Psychology, St. Thomas Aquinas College
M.S. in Organizational Leadership, Nyack College

Ryan  began his career in higher education when he joined Dominican College, now Dominican University New York, in July of 2004 as one of the Assistant Directors of Residence Life after just graduating from St. Thomas Aquinas College with a B. S. in Psychology. In December of 2016, Ryan graduated from Nyack College with an M.S in Organizational Leadership successfully defending his thesis titled, “The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy and Academic Motivation.”  Over the course of his time at Dominican as an Assistant Director of Residence Life, Ryan held several part-time positions which included Assistant Director of Evening and Special Sessions, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, and a Freshman Seminar Instructor. In addition, he began the Alternative Spring Break Program in 2007, Midnight Runs to NYC in 2006 to bring food, clothing, and toiletries to the homeless of Manhattan, and the Rockland County Colleges Relay for Life from 2005 – 2011 raising over $128,000 for the American Cancer Society. Both the Alternative Spring Break program and Midnight Runs continue to this day. 

In July of 2010, Ryan was appointed to Director of Residence Life and was responsible for the oversight of four full-time professional staff, two part-time staff, 26 Resident Assistants, and the resident population.

In July of 2019, Ryan was appointed to a new position at Dominican University New York, Director of Retention and Student Success, where he oversees the University’s Retention efforts as well as the Student Success Program. He is an adjunct instuctor in the M.S. in Organizational Leadership and Communication Program at Dominican, teaching, “Organizational Culture and Teambuilding” and “Strategic Planning and Leadership.” Ryan is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Concordia University Chicago.

In 2006, Ryan was a recipient of Rockland County’s Annual Forty Under 40 Program, a 2009 graduate of Leadership Rockland, the 2021 Recipient of The President’s Award and 2024 recipient of the Club Designated Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club of Pearl River, and the 2024 Leader of the Year for Leadership Rockland. Ryan was a Big Brother mentor for 3 years, immediate Past President of The Rotary Club of Pearl River, former Vice Chair of Leadership Rockland, a former Ambassador for People to People, a Board Member for Meals on Wheels Rockland, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County, conducts Midnight Runs to NYC giving food and clothing to the homeless in Manhattan and completed a Clean Water Project through the Rotary Club of Pearl River in the village of Sol Naciente, El Salvador in January of 2023.