Shannon Quinlivan is a senior transfer student from Pearl River, New York, completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. In her relatively short time at Dominican College, Shannon has already left an indelible mark of achievement. She has made the Dean’s List in both semesters at DC, joined the Criminal Justice Club, and completed two internships, the first with the United States Marshal Service and the other with the Rockland County Police Academy.
Among Shannon’s enduring interests is her concern for others, which has expressed itself in various volunteer activities over the years. She has painted treehouses for children in upstate New York, collected clothes for underprivileged families, volunteered at animal shelters, and taught religious education at her local parish. Through it all, Shannon has had to deal with her Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. As she notes, “There’s always been a negative stigma surrounding ADHD, but I’ve never let my disability get in the way of my ambitions. I believe it contributes to my fast pace when it comes to working and my ability to multitask (and my happy-go-lucky personality). What people would define as a weakness is my biggest strength.” There is no doubt that Shannon is a strong young woman and a very successful one, too.
After graduation Shannon intends to pursue a doctorate in Criminal Justice, focusing on her research interests of domestic violence, sexual assault, and drug abuse. Her career aspiration is to be a CJ professor just like her mentor, Dr. Tara Parrello, who heads the CJ Program at DC.
Favorite DC Moment: CJ Halloween trip led by Dr. Parrello to the Eastern State Penitentiary.