Students Build Homes During Alternative Spring Break
Dominican University students and faculty member Margaret Mulligan in Punta Gorda, Florida where they are helping build a home with Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity.
Dominican University New York students helped to build homes with Habitat for Humanity as part of the Alternative Spring Break Program during the first week of March. Seven students and a faculty member volunteered in Punta Golda, FL with Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity and seven students and two staff members volunteered in Wilmington, NC with Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity.
“Rooted in the University’s mission and pillars, the program focuses on service, leadership, and community,” said Director of Student Engagement Rachel Shaw. “Students not only contribute to important projects, but also return with a stronger sense of purpose, personal growth, and a deeper connection to the world around them.
Dominican University has offered Alternative Spring Break for many years as a way for students to use their break from classes to make a meaningful impact. Students have helped with a variety of hands-on projects, including new construction, repairs, and home improvement to support local communities where they travel.
March 5, 2026
BLAST Scholars Explore Career Options
Dominican University students learn the science behind making ice cream at Penn State’s iconic Berkey Creamery.
Dominican University’s BLAST biology scholars traveled to Pennsylvania State University at the end of February to meet with alumna and mentor Anna Acosta ’22, who is pursuing her Ph.D. in Food Science. During the visit, the Dominican University students toured the campus and got an inside look at the research laboratories and collaborative learning spaces. They also listened to a series of flash talks as graduate students spoke about the diverse paths that led them to their advanced studies.
“This experience allowed our BLAST scholars to see how a biology degree can open doors far beyond traditional pathways. Hearing directly from Anna and the graduate students helped our scholars envision themselves in those spaces and recognize that their journey can take many different and exciting directions.,“ said AnnMarie DelliPizzi, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, who accompanied the students on the trip along with Richard Flamio Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology,
The students also went to the iconic Penn State Berkey Creamery, where they explored the science behind ice cream production and participated in the process, including doing some hands-on “quality testing.”
The BLAST (Biology for Low-Income Aspiring Scholars in Training) Program provides scholarships to high-achieving, low-income STEM students and aims to increase student retention and success by linking scholarships with co-curricular activities, including academic support, mentoring, and undergraduate research. The students meet with scholars from other universities or industries to be exposed to different career paths.
March 3, 2026
Catholic Sisters Week: Kick-Off Presentation
Join us as we officially begin Catholic Sisters Week with a special Kick-Off Presentation celebrating the lives, mission, and lasting impact of Catholic Sisters.
Monday, March 9 | 3:00–4:00 PM Motherhouse, Huston Room
Catholic Sisters Week: Pizza & Trivia
Join us for Day 2 of Catholic Sisters Week with fun, food, and friendly competition at Pizza & Trivia! Enjoy complimentary pizza while testing your knowledge with trivia questions covering a variety of topics.
Bring your friends, form a team, or join one when you arrive. Whether you’re in it to win or just there for the pizza, this lively event is a great way to connect with the Sisters and the campus community. All are welcome!
Tuesday, March 10 | 4:30–5:30 PM Motherhouse, Huston Room
Catholic Sisters Week: Irish Soda Bread Bake-Off
Celebrate Catholic Sisters Week with a warm and festive Irish Soda Bread Bake-Off! Join the Sisters and campus community for an afternoon of homemade treats, friendly competition, and Irish cheer. Sample a variety of freshly baked soda breads, cast your vote for your favorite, and enjoy good company in a welcoming atmosphere.
Thursday, March 12 | 2:00–4:00 PM Motherhouse, Huston Room
CAB Spring Fest
Celebrate the end of the school year at the Chargers Activities Board’s annual Spring Fest — one of the biggest and most anticipated student events of the year! Take a well-deserved break from finals and join us on the Prusmack Quad for an afternoon packed with games, delicious food, inflatables, music, and nonstop fun with friends.
Whether you’re looking to relax, recharge, or blow off some steam before exams wrap up, Spring Fest is the perfect way to kick off the final stretch of the semester. Don’t miss this campus tradition!
April 30 | 2:30–5:00 PM Doering Quad
Cupcakes & Kudos
Honoring Freshman inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.
Stop by our Dominican University Pop-Up Shop for a convenient, one-day shopping experience right on campus! Browse a curated selection of DUNY essentials, spirit gear, accessories, and unique items perfect for showing your school pride or picking up a thoughtful gift.
Whether you’re treating yourself, grabbing last-minute supplies, or just curious to see what’s available, there’s something for everyone!
March 17 | 1:30–4:30 PM Granito Center, Room 202B
AI: From Tool to Teammate
Palisades Institute Forum Presents: “AI: From Tool to Teammate!”
AI isn’t coming. It’s here. Many organizations find themselves overwhelmed by a constant stream of new tools without a clear plan for implementation.
In this session, we’ll cut through the hype and focus on what works, especially for small businesses and nonprofits: where AI can automate routine work, where it can amplify decision-making and marketing, and what changes when systems begin to act on your behalf.
Join us for a dynamic one-hour forum featuring a keynote from a national AI strategist, a live demonstration of agentic AI built right here at DUNY, and a moderated panel on what it means to lead in an AI-driven world. Our discussion will include:
• AI as a growth engine for your organization
• AI as an operational assistant and decision-maker
• AI as a brand amplifier, and what thoughtful adoption looks like
• The ethical questions every leader needs to be asking
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to move beyond basic tools, this forum offers a rare combination of strategic vision and live, real-world proof.
🌟 See a DUNY student’s agentic AI platform demonstrated live. This is a real proof-of-concept in action.
Preview: Meet a Speaker Before the Event
DUNY business student Tommaso Falchi built an agentic AI tool for small businesses — and he’s sharing it live on March 23. Listen to a preview interview hosted by student-intern Juliana Battaglia and co-hosted by Matt Schiering.
Alex will walk through how businesses evolve from basic automation to full AI integration — and what separates companies that experiment from the ones that truly transform.
▼ Full Bio
Alex Ruiz is a strategic leader and business builder who helps organizations move AI from a “trending topic” to a practical tool for growth. As the founder of ART X MACHINA, he works with both established companies and AI startups to turn new technologies into clear business strategies and everyday ways of working.
With over 20 years of experience in digital transformation, Alex has led multi-million-dollar portfolios for agencies and consultancies, overseeing strategic work for iconic brands such as Nestlé, American Express, and Anheuser-Busch InBev. He is known for his ability to simplify complex changes — whether helping a Fortune 500 company save $15 million through more efficient partnerships or building his own startup agency from the ground up and scaling it to $17 million in annual revenue.
Today, Alex focuses on “AI-readiness” — identifying where AI can solve problems, redesigning workflows to support human teams, and creating the playbooks needed to launch new products. He currently serves as a strategic advisor for AI platforms like MeetSynthia™, helping shape their product stories and launch plans.
A graduate of Cornell University, Alex served on the Cornell Dyson School Alumni Advisory Board and regularly returns to the classroom as a guest speaker to help students and business leaders navigate the future of work.
Live Demo: Agentic AI in the Wild
Tommaso Falchi — DUNY Business Student
Tommaso will showcase his agentic AI-driven business platform, demonstrating what it looks like when AI becomes an operational teammate inside a real business.
Panel Discussion: Strategy, Ethics & What’s Next
Alex Ruiz & Gwen Daugs, Ph.D. — DUNY Philosophy
A moderated conversation on where agentic AI is heading, what businesses should avoid, and how our values need to keep pace with the technology.
Event Details
Date: Monday, March 23, 2026
Check-In: 11:30 AM
Program: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Location: Granito Center of Dominican University New York 3 Campus Dr, Blauvelt, NY 109132
Experience the AI technology our student-entrepreneur will be showcasing at the event.
Simply tap the link below or give us a call at (845) 671-5746
to secure your spot!
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