Student Success
Alumni Success Stories CSP alumni are well equipped for a lifetime of career success in a variety of fields and communities. Here is a glimpse into how a pair of recent graduates have used their degrees to find meaningful careers while also making positive contributions in their communities. Read more alumni success stories online at csp.edu/why-csp/we-are-csp/
DOMONIQUE GILMER, BA '11 Secondary Education—Social Studies
ONIRIA GILLENWATERS, BA ‘19 Bachelor of Science Nursing
Domonique Gilmer is a 2011 secondary education (social studies) graduate who now serves as an assistant principal for Minnetonka High School.
As the daughter of two elementary school teachers, 2019 CSP nursing graduate Oniria Gillenwaters understands the value of education and lifelong learning. After beginning her nursing career in Mexico, Oniria switched gears and worked in human resources before ultimately returning to nursing school and a career she was passionate about.
“CSP’s location was prime for being an effective urban educator. I was able to get an authentic experience with different populations. One of the many advantages of small class sizes is the ability to get to know your professors, and I was able to keep many of those connections. I was able to come back and reflect on those experiences.'
CSP’s location was prime for being an effective urban educator. I was able to get an authentic experience with different populations. –Domonique Gilmer
Some of Gilmer’s favorite CSP memories include being a two-time Academic All-American and being a three-time NCAA National Provisional Qualifier. In addition, he earned the Brick-Building Service-Learning Award which is awarded to a single student who made service an integral part of their college experience through significant contribution to the community as well as demonstrated both breadth and depth of commitment to a community organization and social issues. Gilmer’s future goals include working to close the nation’s largest achievement gap and to eliminate inequalities in education and housing in his role as an educator. In addition to his work in the Minneapolis community, he continues to shape the Concordia experience for students and alumni through his involvement in the Alumni Advisory Council.
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“In 2017, I officially became a registered nurse and am currently practicing nursing at St. Cloud Hospital [in] the inpatient rehabilitation unit,” Gillenwaters says. “It has been a challenging but wonderful journey full of achievements and stories of success at personal and professional levels. All I can say is that I’m very happy to be back in the profession that I always wanted to practice.” Oniria knows that her CSP nursing degree has prepared her to take her career to the next level.
I feel confident, and I have built up strong communication and leadership skills that have helped me in my current practice. –Oniria Gillenwaters
“I feel confident, and I have built up strong communication and leadership skills that have helped me in my current practice. The RN to BSN program has helped me to define my next professional goals and achieve national certification as a rehab nurse, as well as to reach a clinical ladder Level 3. It has motivated me to sign up as a volunteer in a community health program through CentraCare. It has given me the skills to be selected to be part of the charge nurses team at my home unit in St. Cloud Hospital.”
