Dominican University New York celebrated the Class of 2025 at the 71st Annual Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 18, 2024, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.
James J. Breheny, renowned conservationist and Director of the Bronx Zoo, delivered the Commencement Address. The Bronx Zoo, one of the largest and most respected zoological institutions in the world, is part of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), where Breheny also serves as Executive Vice President of Zoos and Aquariums. In that role, he oversees operations at all five WCS parks in New York City: the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, New York Aquarium, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo.
With more than four decades of experience in wildlife management and conservation, Breheny has profoundly impacted the zoo community and global conservation efforts. In recognition of his transformative leadership in zoological management, his deep understanding of animal behavior, and his unwavering commitment to biodiversity, Dominican University conferred upon him an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.
Other honorees included:
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Raymond H. Hill, M.E.M. – A philanthropist, businessman, and accomplished rower, Hill led COREvitas, a biotechnology firm focused on real-world data in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, to a nine-fold revenue increase before its acquisition by Thermo Fisher Scientific for nearly $1 billion. Hill, now an Operating Partner at Arsenal Capital, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
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Mardochee Julien-West, M.S., RBT – A Dominican alumna, Julien-West majored in English and co-led Verbal Asylum, Dominican’s poetry and open mic club. She currently serves as a Qualitative Research Analyst and Success Coach at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) while pursuing a Doctor of Management degree focused on community college policy and administration. She received the 2025 Badami Outstanding Alumna Award.
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Howard Goldin and Edward J. Frank – Vietnam veterans and co-founders of S.T.E.P. (Schools to End Poverty), Goldin and Frank have spent the past two decades building schools and orphanages in Vietnam, Jamaica, Honduras, and Ghana. Their efforts have created safe, nurturing environments for underserved children around the world. They were honored with the 2025 Veritas Medal.
A total of 371 students were awarded doctorate, master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees.
Associate in Arts
Maya Crittendon, Melissa Mercilus
Bachelor of Arts
Lixandra Marie Araujo, Nicolás Arrieta Guerra, Adriana Barnes, Sterling Barrientos Garcia, Isiah Christopher Benbow, Kyle Allan Bender, Jean-Luc Borge, Ellie Brouwer, Gabriella Alexa Capolupo, Christian Jeremiah Centeno, Alivia Chieca, Michael Cinquemani, James Conklin, Joseph Coppola, Wendy Cruz (magna cum laude), Kayla Isabel DeLeon, Thelie Delmond, Melanie Dominguez (magna cum laude), Michelle Duran, Brandon Alan Edwards, Jeffrey Argenis Figueroa, Shannon Charleigh Flynn (magna cum laude), Yolemar Francois, Nicole Franke (summa cum laude), Madeline Friedman (magna cum laude), Jessilynn Galgano, Daniel Garvey, Blaise D. Gilbride, Ty Gilligan (cum laude), Leilani Anais Gonzalez (cum laude), Alessandro Guzzinati (summa cum laude), Marquise A. Harris, Tiffany-Ann Hyatt, Nadjha T. Jackson, Calvin N. Jerome, Yecis Madeley Jimenez Aguilar, Tamala Johnson, Khadijah H. Kareem, Anthony Leak, Julia Elaine Leibman (cum laude), Josie Lettieri (cum laude), Robert J. Liriano Fermin, Ariana Lopez, Yaritza Lopez (magna cum laude), Alissa Madura, Yaneth Araceli Magana (cum laude), Alexander Daniel Martinez, Vanessa Elizabeth Mazariego (cum laude), Ana Cristina Mazariegos Alarcon (magna cum laude), Chloe McIntosh, Colm Martin McLaughlin, Alexis R. Merchan Bermeo, Tanasha Mills, Jazmine Molina, Yesly Elizabeth Morales (cum laude), Niccolo’ Moretti (magna cum laude), Devin Victor Morris, Margaret Newell (magna cum laude), Katie Novick, Erin O’Neill (magna cum laude), Erica Ortiz, Kaylyn Amaya Pabon, Shaylie M. Paula, Khaliya J. Reyes, Randell Reyes (magna cum laude), Patrick Armstrong Roderka, Kristine Romero, Ashley Veronica Schmitt, Sydney Strohmayer (summa cum laude), Morgan Pamela Stroud, Sean Kevin Sullivan, TJ Swaney (cum laude), Dayna Ruth Tidwell (magna cum laude), Melissa Varughese, Raysa Vasquez, Brandon Watson, Diego Armando Yupangui Lliguicota, Jesica Fabiana Yupangui Lliguicota
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Alyssa DiFalco, KC Anola Gordon, Anna Murphy, Ava O’Brien (magna cum laude), Sydney Strohmayer (summa cum laude)
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Ashley Franchesca Almonte, Nicolás Arrieta Guerra, Ryan Bongiorno, Michael Brooks, Paloma Burgos, Ava Rose Carabetta, Kaitlyn Grace Carr, Mackenzie Abigail Chambers, Andreya Davis, Brikke Decoster (cum laude), Aaron DeGuzman, Steffy Espejo, R Lavien Eugene, Gabrielle Denise Faulcon (magna cum laude), Isaiah Figueroa, Alex Garcia Buil (magna cum laude), Josue J. Giron, Eric Greenwood (magna cum laude), Lucas Salvatore Guerrero (cum laude), Justin Jack Jaradeh, Jennifer Noemy Lemus Sandoval, Derek Martinez, Bipasha Mehn (magna cum laude), Kristin Mena, Thiago Odo Micki, Jonathan Morales Carpio, Niccolo’ Moretti (magna cum laude), Anthony Nigro, Leonardo Nikollaj, Simon Ostrowski, Diego Perez, Anish Pillai, Angelo Alexander Remigio, Alexander Reyes, Anthony Reyes, Edward Felix Richardson, Daren Rodney, Rose Maniola Saint-Preux, Lia Sarjveladze (magna cum laude), Jordan Scott (cum laude), Thiea Kneo Shea, Emmanuel Smith, Sabine Sørensen (summa cum laude), Abigail Thompson, Ryan Veras, Shareef Deon Zil
Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Sarah E. Breheny, Brianna Cangrob (magna cum laude), Jeramiah Baruch Deanta, Joseph DeRosa, Jason Scott Driz, Neihsah Goubotte, Adrianna Taisha Jeune, Anna Kaminskey, Jalaeya LaPorte, Irais Rubi Lozada (cum laude), Chidinma Ndukauba, Cyntia Yalexa Olivares, Tyler J. Piscopiello, Tyler Richman (cum laude), Emily Romero Barragan, Wesley Santos-Duran, Tariq Thompson, Felix A. Urena, Logan Valdes, Isabella Wysocki
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Rachel Elizabeth Abraham (cum laude), Kevin J. Antony (magna cum laude), Madison Bagatta (magna cum laude), Aniselli Batista (cum laude), Ashlei Jacquéline Beltran, Catherine Bermeo Ponce, Arianna Katherine Blanchard-Lorentz, Jon David Buyl (cum laude), Courtney Candullo (magna cum laude), Daniela Cantillo, Geneva Marie Carter (cum laude), Kylie Dela Cruz Catral (cum laude), Richelle Charity Causing, Briana Jane Celestin, Amber Madeline Coronel (magna cum laude), Danielle Corry (magna cum laude), Jillian M. Craig (magna cum laude), Kyle Dalida, Bryan Deleña Diaz (magna cum laude), Leah Dillon (cum laude), Kiera Margaret Doherty (magna cum laude), Sarah Elizabeth Doyle (magna cum laude), Mildred Veronica Emestica, Karl A. Francois (cum laude), Paula S. Franklin, Berli George (magna cum laude), Felicia D. Gorham, Kelly Harris (magna cum laude), Lea Jeannine Henke (cum laude), Beyli Hernandez, Isabela Hickey (cum laude), Sarah Madison Jones (cum laude), Samantha Joseph (cum laude), Sereena Joseph (cum laude), Jill Kanui, Lauryn Katz (magna cum laude), Stellar Sion Kim, Rafal Tadeusz Kita (summa cum laude), Alexandra Hope Klukosky, Jaayden Jordan Lafontant (cum laude), Abraham Latorre, JulieAnna LeBron (cum laude), Olivia Rose Levy, Juwon Lopez (cum laude), Jesmely Lopez Cruz, Estreyita Lucero, Kaleigh R. Lutkevich, Hailey Jeanne Maher (magna cum laude), Christine M. Matias (magna cum laude), Anthony V. Mecca (cum laude), Seraph Millar, Diana Leticia Minchala, Saury Nunez Diaz, Kevin Patrick O’Leary (magna cum laude), Tayna S. Paulino (cum laude), Sean Andre Philippeau, Daniel Alphonse Pinilla, Camila Polanco Dominguez, Leila Prevoit, Alexis Deana Rafferty (cum laude), Karryann Reyes, Mekayla Lauryn Robinson, Nathalia Rodriguez Gonzalez, Jorge G. Romero, Melanie Rose Rosario (cum laude), Giovanna Salcido, Sabrina Alejandra Sanchez, Rivka F. Sandel (cum laude), Angelica Daniela Sandoval, Nina Victoria Scanlon (magna cum laude), Delon Smith, Jordan Sunny, Jenipher Katherine Tamay, Kadijah Y. Tarawallie, Michelle S. Thomas (magna cum laude), Annmarie Traverse (cum laude), Jacob Vadakara, Sitara Caresse Vargas (summa cum laude), Lynda Iris Velez (magna cum laude), Melissa Veliz, Caitlyn Hanna Waletzky (summa cum laude), Paola Ward (cum laude), Renae Watson, Daisy Ann Wist (magna cum laude), Kaitlyn Zeeb (magna cum laude)
Bachelor of Social Work
Brendan Griffin, Marley Nesta Abit Isidore, Victoria Nuesi, Yasmeyris R. Veras
Honors Program
Victoria Balboa (Bachelor of Science), Sabryna Mary-Cayla Carreon Cadavillo (Bachelor of Science), Erin Carr (magna cum laude, Bachelor of Arts), Domenica Rae DaCosta (magna cum laude, Bachelor of Science), Kathryn Ehrlinger (Bachelor of Science), Aaliyah Ellis (Bachelor of Science), Sydney S. Grandison (Bachelor of Science), Emma Kaszovitz (Bachelor of Science), Toni-Jo Lopez (magna cum laude, Bachelor of Arts), Lindley McCutcheon (magna cum laude, Bachelor of Arts), Yuliana Perez (magna cum laude, Bachelor of Science in Nursing), Nicolette Piscopo (Bachelor of Science), Jordana Rose Tomasetti (Bachelor of Science)
Master of Science Occupational Therapy
Angelena Dominique Cancel, Jessica Catalioto, Megan Catherine Geary, Renee Nicole Llanes Lago, Nicholas Martinez, Mark Edward Ayoo Menya, Nicole Morales, Samantha Rahman, Danaé Angel Roldan, Jewel Elizabeth Sanchez, Lindsey Marie Schuessler, Jonathan Matthew Seymour, Kerry Ann Tauken, Elena Vilanova, Eleni Zlatis
Master of Business Administration
Linda Milan Armao Peng (graduate honors), Angelina DiMarsico (graduate honors), Zachary Ian Gloskin, Jaden Honis, Marcus Wayne Jackson, Alicia James (graduate honors), Joshua Tejo Kaandorp (graduate honors), Qalib Ladhani (graduate honors), Alexander Niklas Lundvall (graduate honors), Nora Marie-Elizabeth Owens (graduate honors), Jennifer Rae (graduate honors), Ernst Samson (graduate honors), Anisha Varghese (graduate honors), Joshuel White
Master of Science in Education
Guillena Adolphe, Ashley Shannon Auguste, Justin Caloras (graduate honors), Joanna Chan (graduate honors), Stacey N. Davis, Shanecia Rianna Flemmings, Daniel Patrick Hartigan (graduate honors), Janelys Hernandez (graduate honors), Erini Kallivokas (graduate honors), Ashley Rose Lane (graduate honors), Chelsie Laudico (graduate honors), Jordan L. Maraia, Bailey Rose McGuire (graduate honors), Lilianna Papuli, Josephine Sassano (graduate honors), Rayna Mollie Schiering (graduate honors), Alexis J. Suarez (graduate honors), Molly M. Welch (graduate honors)
Master of Science Nursing
Libymon Abraham (graduate honors), Isabella Angel Acevedo-Circelli (graduate honors), Priya Anish, Sharon Kraba Baffoe (graduate honors), Claudia Mirto Charles (graduate honors), Dale Marie Cobey, Katea Dale (graduate honors), Stephanie Gyau Degraft (graduate honors), Kaitlin Marie Eckert (graduate honors), Rhea Dnysha Edghill (graduate honors), Connor Emmert (graduate honors), Catherine Ugochi Eze, Sebria Marie Farquharson, Jessica Danielle Fray (graduate honors), Maria Angelica Garcia (graduate honors), Sheila Gaughan May, Anisha B. George (graduate honors), Joanne Gonzalez (graduate honors), Jude Alex Jacob (graduate honors), Robin Levin Lopez (graduate honors), Priscilla Mais, Brianna McKiernan (graduate honors), Kavon J. McMillan (graduate honors), Clare Megahey (graduate honors), Shanniqua M. Mitchell (graduate honors), Maria Fernanda Munnelly Molano, Amy Newmann, Isabelle Osse (graduate honors), Sanny U. Paningbatan Jr. (graduate honors), Beatrice D. Pierre (graduate honors), Alena Regi (graduate honors), Emma Kate Silverman (graduate honors), Christina Sirera (graduate honors), Francesca Toni Zayas (graduate honors)
Master of Science Organizational Leadership and Communication
Cynthia Rose Castro (graduate honors), Daphne Eileen Cedeño Vera, Kubra Selin Copur, Joseph M. DiSiena (graduate honors), Kristinamarie Kaszovitz, David C. Kyvik (graduate honors), Stefano Libio (graduate honors), Noel Fernando Vasquez, Kaitlyn Anne Vatter (graduate honors), Madison Lynn Walker (graduate honors), Alexander Yang (graduate honors)
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Mini Chacko (graduate honors), Cynthia Annette Diaz (graduate honors), Jasmine Vingco Hackett (graduate honors), Sonia Joseph (graduate honors), Reneé Marrian Lewis-DuQuesnay (graduate honors), Surya Vettath (graduate honors)
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Migdalia Enith Berrio, Justin Black, Karina Nadine Borda, Alyssa M. Boudreau (graduate honors), Angelica Cuevas, Ariane Hasbrouck, Jadyn Jasmine Hermanns, Yeweon Kang, Sydney Lauren Kaplan, Young Kim, Nicole Sarita Kumar, Christopher Cosmo Lubrano, Kristin Miscia, Carlie Mullins, Ebshoy Naam, Calvin Wayne Novak, Sandy Osman, Juliana Marie Schraer, Nicholas S. Soares