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Whether in the classroom or on the softball field, Emma Woodhouse set a standard for excellence while at Dominican. Among her many accomplishments, Emma earned the university’s highest student honor, the Mulroy Award, for her outstanding academic abilities and leadership skills. An aspiring physician, she credits Dominican for strengthening her work ethic. "Dominican instilled in me a drive for excellence in all I do."

After managing a Fifth Third Bank branch for three years, Marcos Hernandez, who received a bachelor’s degree in international business, turned to entrepreneurship, starting his own business consulting firm. “Dominican and their Honors program helped guide me through my journey as a first-generation college student,” he says. “They had great resources and everyone was always willing to assist in my development.”

As part of Dominican’s honors program, Isabela Flores found ways to continue her passion for learning while discovering new avenues to spark her curiosity. She also built a strong network of meaningful connections that helped her land a top internship with the global investment firm Guggenheim Partners. “You create a big connection and a big network thanks to the Mazzuchelli Honors Program by understanding how to be more prepared when it comes to resumes, graduate school or whatever your future holds.”

Natalia Prato’s resolute passion for helping others alongside an unwavering commitment to social justice defined her time at Dominican. 

As a student here, Natalia sought out leadership opportunities with University Ministry, where she utilized her Catholic identity and involvement to empower others to advocate for social justice. 

Today, Natalia continues to be a fierce advocate for marginalized voices as she relentlessly lives out our founders’ vision. “With the encouragement of the Dominican University community, we have the power to determine our own path and settle for nothing less than the best,” she says.

Ryan Barnett believes his experience in Dominican’s honors program helped him develop not only as a college student, but also as a person ready to take on the world after graduation. 

“Being in the honors program at Dominican is really helpful for whatever you want to do after you graduate, whether that's looking for a job or continuing your education. Having that honors program on your resume is great for potential employers and for potential schools that you're looking at."

Ryan now plans to pursue a post-graduate degree—and he’s confident the skills he learned while at Dominican have prepared him for “the next level of thinking.” 

At Dominican, Gabriel Allori continued to follow his passion for healthcare. As a student here, Gabriel was heavily involved with medical organizations around campus, including serving as the vice president of the American Medical Student Association. He also took part in the university’s Faith in the Vaccine initiative, which encouraged hesitant individuals to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and countered misconceptions about the shots. He’s now brought his passion for service into the real world, providing world-class patient care at Swedish Covenant Hospital.

“Grateful” is how Vincenzo Cerasuolo feels for his time in Dominican University's honors program. While here, the program challenged him in the classroom, allowing him to develop new skills and ways of thinking, he says. And it also provided pathways to high-impact on-campus leadership opportunities. "All of this has greatly prepared me for the next phases in my life,” he says. 

Iyleah Hernandez is driven by her desire to help others. While at Dominican, Hernandez, a first-generation student, earned the 2022 Dorothy Reiner Mulroy Award, presented annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic and leadership skills. Now, she’s working as a technology consultant at Ernst and Young while continuing to carry out the university’s mission.

Kat Moreno never even considered joining Dominican’s honors program. But Kat entered the program her junior year after an encouraging professor recommended her. Now years later, Kat knows she “made the right decision” for herself. “My brain was constantly stimulated by the honors courses. In the honors program, learning never stops. This constant learning is what makes the Mazzuchelli Scholars a great representation of just a portion of the Caritas et Veritas that is alive at Dominican.” Kat is completing her master’s in social work at Dominican and continuing to serve as an advocate for social justice.

Emma Bond forever cherishes the opportunity she had to study at the University of Oxford. The experience helped her further hone her writing skills and develop an entire portfolio of work. “Without the Oxford program, I wouldn’t have the confidence I have today with my writing abilities for creative writing or academic writing." The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was made possible through her participation in Dominican’s Honors program.

• Kelly Butler, production and stage manager, Redmoon Theater, Chicago
• Patrick Hughes, Clinical Assistant Professor of Neonatology at NorthShore University HealthSystem
• Sara Schwatken earned her PhD in counseling psychology from Iowa State University and is a psychologist and owner at Authentic Therapy of Iowa
• Willa Skeehan received a scholarship to pursue a master's degree in mathematical biology at Ohio State University.