Navigates the Student Experience

The student experience is critical to a student's formation. How would you describe this at MDSA?

We have the privilege of educating women during one of the most critical growth periods in their development. It is a great honor and a great responsibility. As our student population is diverse, our student experience must follow. To unlock the potential hidden within each of our students, we strive to create an inviting and multi-faceted student experience offering a variety of options. We want our students to discover and experience new opportunities. We want them to meet challenges, to navigate obstacles, to manage successes, and to learn from failures within a guided and nurturing environment. Whether it be the arts, athletics, academics, faith, or other fields, we are committed to forming an experience to create knowledgeable, faithful, confident, and well-adjusted young women.

Why was the student experience introduced as part of the new MDSA Strategic Plan?

The student experience was included in the new Strategic Plan so that we could address the effects of the virtual learning environment during the 2020 and 2021 academic years. Many people were surprised this situation led to such a loss in a young person’s mental, spiritual, social, and emotional state. We needed to not only address this loss in their development, but also attempt to turn it around and gain back what was lost. Therefore, we decided to focus on revitalizing the student experience to help regain confidence, refamiliarizing them with communicating and interacting face-to-face instead of screen-to-screen, increasing their opportunities for effective interpersonal experiences, and inviting them to reengage. To that end, we decided to promote the “One 4 All” initiative. The challenge is for each student to strive to participate in at least one club, one faith experience, and one leadership opportunity all four years. Many students have taken the challenge seriously and the positive impact it has had on their demeanor has been nothing but remarkable.

How do co-curricular activities enhance the student experience?

Our young students can b ecome quite driven and hyperfocused. While these are good attributes, being too singleminded in one area can hinder growth and development in other areas. Co-curricular activities allow students to discover, play, travel, and broaden their worldview past the four walls of Mount de Sales or the small screen in their hand. Activities and clubs broaden our students’ experience of the world which spurs creativity and taps their sense of wonder. The hope is that through these experiences, they will begin to discover their God-given talents and ultimately, their vocation.

What is your wish for every MDSA student?

My wish is that every Mount de Sales student realizes that she is loved and made by God for a good and a specific purpose and to have confidence in her creative ability to become a great uniter and bridge-builder for humankind.

What are your interests and hobbies?

I enjoy spending time with my family, baking, traveling, and time outdoors.