Your generosity creates
LIMITLESS opportunities
From students to alumnae/i to faculty, from academic achievement to study abroad, and from award-winning research to serving those in need, the Mount provides a place where the ability to achieve is LIMITLESS.
The 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio creates a hands-on and intimate learning community for Mount students.
Your support makes these stories possible.
100% of incoming students receive scholarships and financial aid, providing an opportunity for all students regardless of financial means.
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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Today’s Mount students embrace their LIMITLESS opportunities both in and outside the classroom. Whether they’re volunteering their time to serve those in need, spearheading clubs and activities for their peers, or engaging in academic research with faculty members, your generosity helps Mount students take full advantage of the wealth of opportunities on our beautiful 70-acre campus in New York City.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE ACROSS THE GLOBE KAYLA ORTIZ ’19 While most college students spend their summers soaking up the sun on the beach or working to save up money, Kayla Ortiz ’19 had a different idea of how to spend the summer leading up to her senior year— teaching English to underprivileged children in Ethiopia. Volunteering with the Vincentian Lay Missionaries, Kayla spent the month of July 2018 in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia immersing herself in the culture and food of a new continent. Kayla has participated in several week-long service outreach programs with the Mount’s Office of Mission and Ministry, including trips to Louisiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. She credits her peers and mentors at the Mount for encouraging her to step out of her comfort zone and explore the limitless opportunities to serve those on the margins around the world. A psychology major with a concentration in elementary and special education, Kayla’s trip to Ethiopia strengthened her love for teaching. While teaching English in Ethiopia was far different from the lesson plans she creates for the students she teaches here in the Bronx, she saw how valued and important teachers are in the lives of their students across the globe. “As a future educator, my passion for working with children in Ethiopia was one of the most rewarding service
outreaches I have participated in,” said Kayla. “This experience has allowed me to continuously learn to improve myself and mentor others by sharing my knowledge, skills and experiences.” Kayla will be continuing her education at the Mount as part of the five-year master’s program in multicultural and urban education. Following graduation, she aspires to have her own special education classroom, enabling her to give back to her home community in the Bronx.
FINDING PURPOSE IN AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM KATHERINE PEREZ ’19 When Katherine Perez ’19 arrived on campus as an eager freshman, she was ready to dive head first into four years of scientific and clinical study as a nursing major. But, Katherine always had another passion—a creative instinct that kept urging her to keep exploring her options in and outside the classroom. She even considered changing her major, but was unsure what the right move would be. Katherine’s curiosity led her to minor in communication where she asked herself: What would happen if I took a class in a subject that I actually liked? As Katherine answered this and other questions, her self-reflection led to a defining moment in not only her college career, but in her life. She knew her purpose was to use her talents to inspire and empower others.
With the support of the Mount community, she put her passion into action—she changed her major from nursing to visual arts and experimental media. Using the guidance she received from her professors and mentors, Katherine spearheaded several clubs and initiatives on campus, including: founding the Mount’s photography club, Through the Lens, reviving and organizing the student fashion show as part of the RAW fashion club, and bringing a chapter of the female empowerment organization WEBelieve to the Mount. Katherine credits the Mount for helping her find the confidence to follow her passion and embrace the limitless leadership opportunities available to her both on campus and beyond.
INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE AND CAREER EXPLORATION STEVEN HANSEN ’20 Steven Hansen ’20 is gaining valuable career experience working as an intern at Maspeth Federal Savings Bank in Queens. Steven has worked as a credit analyst intern for over a year now, using the information he has learned through the business program at the Mount to help him process loan requests and referrals. “It’s a lot of fun,” said Steven. “It doesn’t feel like I’m going to work each day. I’m learning so much, and I know this internship will help me in my future career.” In addition to his internship, Steven is involved in several other activities outside the classroom at the Mount, including volunteering as a member of the College’s Seton Service and Leadership Program and playing as an infielder on the Mount’s baseball team.
Steven is also a participant in the Mount Mentors Program, which matches driven students with successful alumnae/i , friends, and trustees of the College and offers them the opportunity to receive career guidance and exploration. Steven credits his mentor, John Caruso ’82, for keeping him motivated to pursue his passions in the accounting world. “John and I meet a few times a semester. He’s a role model for me, and shows me how important it is to network. You never know who might be your future boss!” Following his graduation from the Mount, Steven plans on expanding his education by pursuing a master’s degree and becoming a licensed CPA.
ALUM ACHIEVEMENT The Mount has prepared alumnae/i to reach LIMITLESS heights in their career fields. No matter where in the globe they find themselves, Mount alums give back to the community, become top innovators and creators, serve those in need, and, most importantly, live out the mission of the College in their daily lives. Your support makes these achievements possible.
MILLENNIALS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL JENNIFER BLATUS ’11
Jennifer Blatus ’11 had plans to be the next leading journalist for the New York Times— or so she thought. As a double major in communication and history, her interest in politics had always been chewing away at the back of her mind. She dabbled in a few positions in public relations before settling into a role working with local labor unions and non-profit organizations. However, Jennifer craved the thrill and fervor of the political world. So, this past summer Jennifer took a leap of faith, quit her job, and joined the Max Rose for Congress campaign as Communications Director.
Jennifer’s leadership in her role helped Max Rose defeat the incumbent. For Jennifer and the rest of Rose’s team, flipping New York’s 11th Congressional District was just a bonus. The campaign was about spreading Rose’s promise to represent the residents of New York and earning the trust of voters. Jennifer is just one example of an exceptional Mount alumna continuing to live out the mission of the College through her commitment to our common humanity. We are excited to see all she accomplishes in her new role as Media Strategist for Stu Loeser & Co.
FROM COLLEGE INTERN TO VICE PRESIDENT ENDY RODRIGUEZ ’03 In less than two decades, Endy Rodriguez ’03 has risen from college intern to Vice President of News at Telemundo 47, a division of NBC Telemundo, the leading provider of Spanish-language content in more than 100 countries. Under his leadership, Telemundo 47 has made history by sourcing the region’s highest rated late news program, regardless of language. In his position as Vice President, Endy ensures the integrity of his station, curating news for millions of viewers in the nation’s largest media market, while advocating for the New York Tri-State area’s Spanish-speaking communities. Throughout his career, Endy has led by example— encouraging and empowering those around him. Endy has modeled a fierce work ethic and a fervent devotion to journalistic excellence, mentoring aspiring news reporters and guiding them to be diligent, tireless, and hardworking professionals.
Additionally, in recognizing the station’s capacity for service to others, Endy has coordinated resources to launch initiatives such as “Rompe el Silencio,” which assists victims of domestic violence. Most recently, under his direction, Telemundo has produced unrivaled, daily reporting on the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and other impacted countries. His notable work, journalism, and storytelling has been recognized with more than a dozen New York Emmy Awards—a monumental accomplishment. The Mount honored Endy’s talent and success as an alumnus of the College by awarding him one of the 2018 Ad Laudem Dei medals, presented during Reunion and Homecoming Weekend this past October.
FACULTY ACHIEVEMENT Your contributions help grow our exceptional academic programs and enable us to engage renowned faculty members who enrich the lives of their students with LIMITLESS knowledge in hundreds of disciplines and concentrations. By inviting students to participate in their nationally-recognized academic research, sharing their passion for learning in the classroom, and mentoring students on future career paths, Mount faculty inspire a dedicated community of learners.
CORPORATIONS, CONSULTING, AND THE CLASSROOM FRANK MANZI In the two years Frank Manzi has taught as an Assistant Professor of Accounting at the Mount, he has left a lasting impression on his students. Recipient of the 2019 Teacher of the Year award, Professor Manzi is committed to helping his students excel both inside and beyond the classroom. “I was shocked to have received such an honor,” he said. “It felt good to know that students relate to my stories and work as an accountant.” Professor Manzi began his career at the College a few years back as an adjunct professor before accepting an offer to teach full-time. “I really enjoy teaching,” he said with a smile. “There’s nothing better than being able to share where I came from and inspire the next generation of leaders.” Outside his role at the Mount, Professor Manzi works as a consultant and financial advisor for several corporations. He believes it is critical to stay connected with the corporate world in order to bring his
experience into the classroom. “It’s important for your students to listen to you, but you have to remember to listen to them too,” he said. He credits his love for teaching to his laid-back and easy-going rapport with students. A teacher, advisor, and mentor, Professor Manzi embodies the mission of the College through his commitment to helping each of his advisees find their passions and excel down whatever career path they choose.
COMMUNICATION AT THE MOUNT AND BEYOND MICHELLE SCOLLO
Associate Professor of Communication Michelle Scollo is committed to fostering the potential of lifelong learners in her classroom—tailoring her teaching and mentoring to each individual student’s strengths, weaknesses, needs, and interests. Throughout her eight year tenure at the Mount, Dr. Scollo has taught content in the communication field, but has also helped students develop a set of skills, based in the liberal arts, to support them throughout their future careers. Dr. Scollo believes that one of the most rewarding parts about teaching is watching students put the material they learn in the classroom into practice at their various internships. “Our proximity to Manhattan enables outstanding internship opportunities in a variety of fields,” said Dr. Scollo. “With advising and support for internships within the major, as well as the College’s Oxley Center for Academic Advisement and Career Education, students often take full advantage of the limitless opportunities available throughout their undergraduate careers.”
Outside of the classroom, Dr. Scollo has been busy working on scholarship and research in the fields of cultural discourse analysis and the ethnography of communication. She served as the co-editor of a recently published book, titled Engaging and Transforming Global Communication through Cultural Discourse Analysis: A Tribute to Donal Carbaugh, and hosted an international conference of communication scholars at the Mount in June 2017. Most recently, Dr. Scollo collaborated with a Mount colleague in the psychology department, Dr. Katherine Alexander, and two Mount alumnae, Jaclyn Hahn ’18 and Nicole Quaranto ’18, to develop a mixed-methods research study on the cultural discourse analysis of introvert and extrovert terms. Dr. Scollo and her team presented their research in November 2018 at the National Communication Association Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. Throughout all of her work, Dr. Scollo is committed to the Mount’s mission of educating the whole person, empowering students in terms of their ability to learn, to achieve their academic and professional goals, and to do anything they set their mind to.
Your contributions to the Annual Fund allow the Mount to offer what few institutions can. Through the support of our alumnae/i and friends, the College will continue to grow its wealth of academic programs, expand its state-ofthe-art facilities, provide all students with scholarships and financial aid, and offer a variety of co-curricular activities. Your support enables our students to take advantage of the limitless opportunities at the Mount and beyond.
MAKE YOUR GIFT TO THE 2019 ANNUAL FUND BEFORE JUNE 30, 2019!
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