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STAC Stories

Kaley Pederson ’23

Kaley traveled across the country from her hometown in Southern California to study and play Division 2 Softball at the College. Kaley has valued the personal guidance of her professors, especially Dr. Deirdre Engels, who helped Kaley choose her career path. 

Gianna Landrum '23

When Gianna Landrum – a senior who will attend law school this coming Fall – first started her journey at St. Thomas Aquinas College, she instantly felt the connection to her peers and professors. READ MORE

Bruktawit Abebe ’25

As an international student, Bruk was drawn to STAC’s tight-knit community. “There is never a shortage of events and fun activities to take part in. The many resources, as well as the international student culture, have assured me I have a place here,”  Bruk says.

Tyler Robinson ’24

Experiential learning opportunities like internships offer students important lessons outside of the classroom and gave Tyler Robinson a preview of his future career as a physical therapist. Tyler decided to declare an exercise science major after realizing he wanted to pursue a field in which he could help people one-on-one.

Karla Zamora ’24

Karla has always had big ambitions, and with the guidance of her advisors at STAC, she decided to make the leap from an education major to follow her passion for the criminal justice field. She has her sights set on law and is studying to become an immigration attorney with a specialization in deportations.

Tristan Greenidge '25

When Tristan Greenidge was growing up in Ontario, Canada, he had dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. Although his vision for his future has changed a bit since then, his love of soccer led him to the states to study and play on the Men’s Varsity Soccer Team at St. Thomas Aquinas College.

Yesica Umana-Monzon '23

Yesica wants to make a difference in the lives of others by pursuing a career in social justice, and values classroom discussions about important issues such as racial injustice, poverty, and challenges in the criminal justice system. She is continually inspired by her professors, and is now considering a career in law.

Nicole Gysin '24

Nicole's passion for both mathematics and athletics inspired her to combine her studies at STAC in a double major. Through her courses, she’s been exploring how she can parlay these interests into a future career. As a student-athlete on campus, Nicole is also a part of STAC’s Cross Country and Track and Field teams.

Jamal Barnes '24

When Jamal arrived at STAC, he planned on pursuing a degree in psychology. However, in high school, he explored another interest which, combined with his love of sports, resurfaced in college and became the focus of his studies: digital media. READ MORE

Tchasky Mentor '25

Tchasky was already interested in accounting when he enrolled at STAC, however, participating in the Business Club and attending lectures delivered by professionals working in the field throughout his first year of college affirmed his career choice. READ MORE

Colleen Stevens

Colleen Stevens is a student athlete and honors program student who is passionate about her future career in environmental conservationism. She is an impressive biology major, who completed an internship with the Rockland Conservation and Service Corps (RCSC) last summer. READ MORE

Godson Nartey ‘22

Fueled by a childhood dream of helping others, Godson wants to be a medical doctor, specializing in the orthopedic field. He is also driven by another passion: “Many people don’t know that I am also passionate about singing opera...”

Demetre Roberts ’22

STAC’s Men’s Basketball player Demetre Roberts was recently named “Most Outstanding Player” of the East Coast Conference Tournament, one of numerous honors and awards this dedicated athlete has earned over the last four years.

Chanel Brodeur-Muir '22

Chanel Brodeur-Muir ventured 9,000 miles from her home on the North Island of New Zealand to begin her college journey at St. Thomas Aquinas College where she looked forward to studying biology and playing power forward on STAC’s Women’s Basketball Team.

DEANDRE SMITH ’22

When DeAndre Smith transferred to St. Thomas Aquinas College in his sophomore year, he knew it was the right decision.

“I fit right in as soon as I stepped foot on campus,” he says. “I made friends right away, and it felt like home.”

Tamana “Tami” Sarwari ’25

Tamana “Tami” Sarwari began working as a senior barista at the Noble Cafe in Sparkill, NY, last year, serving up artfully designed lattes and other coffee crafts to St. Thomas Aquinas College professors and students.

Payton Horan '22

Event coordinating has genuinely become second nature for Hospitality Management senior Payton Horan, as she couples interests with her academic studies each day. As an excited transfer student, Payton sought a school to better her studies with a community that would be a great fit for who she is. READ MORE

Angelique Julien '23

As a Childhood Education major, Angelique looks forward to a future educating the youth of tomorrow. Reflecting on the years she has spent preparing for her career, she says that St. Thomas Aquinas College is “a blessing” for which she “couldn’t be any more thankful. The people I have met on campus have been very welcoming since the beginning.”

Kathryn Cambrea '21

As Kathryn prepares to make a difference in her own career as a journalist, the Communication Arts major at St. Thomas Aquinas College has pursued many opportunities to build her portfolio and resume. In addition to publishing her editorial work, Kathryn enjoys writing creatively and co-edits STAC’s literary magazine, The Voyager. READ MORE

Sloane Carucci Peterson '22

Sloane appreciates how her day-to-day work connects directly with what she’s learned as a student in the Hospitality Management program at STAC, as well as special opportunities that working in the industry makes possible to give back to the community. “I will embrace every opportunity I am given, and I know I will be prepared thanks to my education at STAC.” READ MORE

Mark Keegan '22

Aspiring filmmaker Mark Keegan has had many opportunities to hone his craft and get hands-on experience in the field during his years at St. Thomas Aquinas College. Throughout his college years, Mark has been supported and challenged by professors, advisors, and administrators, and has even created content for STAC's Campus Communications office for various projects. READ MORE

Dante Brown '23

As an athlete, Dante Brown knows what it means to be part of a team. When he’s not out on the field, Dante applies his teamwork mindset to different roles on campus. Dante joined STAC’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) as a student mentor. He is also part of the Social Justice & Equity (SJE) Forum where administrators, staff, and students work to bring awareness to STAC’s diverse student body. READ MORE

Paolo Bruzzesi ‘23

Paolo Bruzzesi defines the characteristics of what a Spartan represents. As a rising junior studying Marketing and Social Media at STAC, Paolo already has impressive accomplishments under his belt. READ MORE

Juliana Mannine '23

Juliana has several favorite aspects to her experience at STAC. She appreciates the attention that students receive from their professors, and experiences teamwork between classmates in small class sizes.

George Nkrumah Meizah ’21

George says that he was attracted to STAC for multiple reasons, one of which being the attention that students receive from their professors. He also attributes his decision to being enrolled in STAC’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP).

Shaniya Warren '23

From the moment she stepped on campus, Shaniya Warren knew STAC was the right place for her. “I chose St. Thomas Aquinas College because I instantly felt welcomed when I visited the campus. The staff and faculty members made it easy for me to adjust to the college environment, and it is a home away from home.”

Anabel Garcia '21

After deciding to transfer to STAC, Anabel was not entirely sure what she wanted to study. Learning about STAC’s Psychology and Business programs, she knew the combination of knowledge from these programs would lead her to success. Her advice for incoming students: never lose sight of your goals and the person you are working towards becoming.

Jason Enriquez '21

Jason’s favorite course, digital marketing, has given him the opportunity to take part in a hands-on digital marketing simulation: “We did a project that allowed us to evaluate a brand and suggest improvements. This class was incredibly hands-on, and the material was enjoyable to learn." READ MORE

Taylor Trinidad '21

"I chose St. Thomas Aquinas College because it has a beautiful "homey" feeling to it. The School of Business makes being a business major so exciting, they give you a taste of all flavors of the business industry and the various avenues of where the degree can take us, as long as we work hard at it."

Jisa Jose ‘21

Jisa's growing interest in computer science inspired her to major in it at St. Thomas Aquinas College. “Computers are an integral part of everything we do,” she says. “The idea of using technology to solve problems always fascinates me.” READ MORE

Sean Leiper ’22

Working in the medical field has been Sean’s dream since he can remember. When he was in sixth grade his dream was to be a surgeon. Sean knew that he needed to find a school with “smaller class sizes, a great biology program, and the ability to gain real world skills and knowledge.” Sean immediately took to STAC's community-like atmosphere on campus and truly enjoyed “being able to develop and build relationships with professors.” 

Walter Ahlf '22

Now a junior at STAC, Walter says that gaming, and specifically his favorite series “Legends of Zelda: The Wind Waker,” inspired his interests in both computer science and the performing arts. READ MORE

Abagaile Kimbrell ’21

In the fall of her junior year, Abagaile decided she would pursue a degree in education, to teach high school physics. “Seeing my professors like Dr. Emanuel for example, be so passionate about learning was very eye-opening. She makes it fun and that really inspired me to want to provide the same feeling to students of my own one day,” she says.

Isabella Szklany ’21

Before she took the class Content Development for Public Relations, Isabella Szklany ’21 didn’t imagine herself baking cookies and handling PR for a local nonprofit that sends children with life threatening and/or terminal illnesses and their families on an all-expense paid vacation to ALL the theme parks in Orlando, Florida.

Timothy Henion '21

Timothy is an Honors Program student who hopes to work for a bank or financial firm in New York City upon graduation. Timothy shares, “I always take advantage of events going on around campus, from resume workshops to networking events. You never know where something could lead, but you have to show up and put yourself out there.”

Melissa Mounier ’20

“Ever since I was twelve, I have been writing stories." Melissa sees herself working as an editor for a literary magazine or publishing house. “STAC helped me to consider the different career options within my field of study, and really helped me decide what field within the writing industry I wanted to pursue.”

Suzanne Clarke ’21

Suzanne knew when she arrived at St. Thomas Aquinas College that she wanted a career that involved travel. Because of her international experiences and with the guidance of her professors in the School of Business, she decided to complement her Accounting major with a minor in International Business...

Gianna Galu '21

During Spring 2019, Gianna Galu ’21 and three other students spent seven days in the Dominican Republic on a medical mission ... READ MORE

Aliza Deen ’20

Aliza Deen loves anime, so when her English professor suggested making it the focus of a joint project, she jumped right in. ...  READ MORE

Luke Taplin

Luke Taplin ’20 grew up playing tennis in Auckland, New Zealand. In fact, it’s the sport that brought Luke to the states after he was recruited to play it at St. Thomas Aquinas College...

Tyiana Nunez

From the time she was in sixth grade, Tyiana Nunez knew she wanted to be an FBI agent. Since then, the Criminal Justice major has had many opportunities to see what her future career is like in real-time. She has investigated... READ MORE

Americo Acevedo

Americo Acevedo got a taste of what it’s like to work at a Big Four accounting firm courtesy of the Deloitte Pioneer Internship he landed during the summer of his freshmen year. For six weeks, he worked alongside partners and staff in Deloitte’s offices at New York City’s iconic Rockefeller Plaza and... READ MORE

Thomas Solimando ’20

Thomas Solimando is surrounded by family members who have dedicated their lives as first responders in their careers and as volunteers. Thomas upholds his duty to ensure a New Jersey community’s safety as a member of its police force since 2021.

Bridget Fenton Clark '04

Since Bridget joined Rockland BOCES in 2017, she has worked in various districts throughout the county, where she has launched and managed social media, rebuilt websites, and worked on other communications.

Jason Dore ’16

Shortly after entering the special education field, Jason Dore began volunteering with the New York Special Olympics and, for the past several years, he’s been assisting in the floor hockey tournament, medal ceremony, and other festivities.

Joseph Selchick ’14

As one of only four Bomb Technicians in Rockland County, Joseph Selchick is called upon for his expertise at all hours of the day and night and no day on the job is ever the same. As a student at STAC, Joe interned in Rockland County, splitting his time with the Town of Ramapo Police Department and the Clarkstown Police Department. READ MORE

Eldredge Blalock ’22

Eldredge Blalock knows firsthand the power that education has to change one’s life. As Hudson Link’s Development Manager, he oversees the program’s budget and donations, as well as outreach, grant writing, and events, such as an annual spring benefit dinner. READ MORE

Jerron Garrett ’17

Throughout his years at St. Thomas Aquinas College, Jerron Garrett had his sights set on pursuing a career in law. But in the last semester of his senior year, one elective in hospitality management got him thinking about his future and what he enjoyed doing most.

Justine Gizzi '20

When Justine enrolled at STAC, she planned on pursuing a career in business. It wasn’t until she began working as a tutor in STAC’s Center for Academic Excellence throughout her junior and senior year that she found a passion for helping others both academically and emotionally.

Dennis Knight '05

Since his childhood, Dennis has been a devoted comic book fan. Shortly after he graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Dennis joined Pronto Comics, a collective of comic book writers and artists who collaborate to create self-published works—and he’s been there ever since.

Laurie Child '15

Today, as the CEO of LO Media, a digital marketing agency based in Nyack, New York, Laurie assists clients with brand strategy, website design, marketing campaigns, and content creation. READ MORE

Catherine C. Skae, M.D. BS ’85

Teaching is important to Dr. Skae who says she “cares deeply about the education of the next generation of caregivers.”

Alli Said Rashid

Since Alli graduated summa cum laude, he has been working at Providence, Rhode Island-based Moran Cyber, a division of Moran Shipping Agencies, which offers information and IT security for shipping and port operations. READ MORE

Nicole DiGiacomo '16

Nicole DiGiacomo recently opened the doors to her own law practice in New City, NY, where she practices family law and domestic relations.

Sabrina Vargas-Greco ‘93

Sabrina Vargas-Greco graduated with a degree in Business Administration, but has spent her twenty-eight year professional career in local government because of a life-changing internship at STAC during her final semester.

Paola Garcia Cardenas ’12

Paola is a Cybersecurity Engineer at Bixal, a digital technology and communications firm that serves government agencies around the world. Her role day to day involves ensuring that the infrastructure of the organization’s systems is securely protected.

Madeline Cohen ’13

When Madeline Cohen first enrolled at St. Thomas Aquinas College, she had hopes of becoming an anchorwoman. But in an early video production course, she discovered she preferred to be behind the camera rather than in front of it.

Michael F. Mannese ’07

While studying at STAC, Michael knew he wanted to work in law enforcement. After majoring in criminal justice and history and earning his bachelor’s at STAC, Michael continued his studies and joined the New York City Police Department in 2008.

Candace Rivera '12

In October, Candace Rivera became a “Noogler,” a new Googler, when she started her job as Google’s executive and internal communications manager, providing communications support for the Core Data team.

Lt. Col. Joseph Winter '00

Before he could drive a car, Lt. Col. Joseph Winter was flying planes. He joined the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet in high school and remained active while he was a student at STAC. “STAC opened my eyes to the world around us and afforded me an opportunity to practice leading my peers, a skill that has paid dividends for my whole life." READ MORE

Kevan Ottochian '07

One of Kevan’s favorite aspects of his job is the element of unpredictability, despite the detailed day-to-day lesson plans he prepares for his classes. He encourages students to share their opinions and insights and, in discussions about current events, he challenges them to think critically, something he learned at his alma mater.

Brittany Barrow '13

Sixth-grade special education teacher Brittany Barrow says that one of the greatest rewards of teaching is the valuable lessons she learns from her students every day. Brittany creates lesson plans and teaches every subject at Kakiat STEAM Academy in the East Ramapo Central School District.“ No matter what, always persevere, even when things seem impossible." READ MORE

Doris Osei '20

The warm and welcoming community is among the reasons Doris chose to study at St. Thomas Aquinas College. While working toward her bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts, she made her own contribution to fostering STAC’s warm family environment. Doris discovered that working with students is a perfect fit for her so she assumed the title and duties of a Student Success and HEOP Counselor at STAC. READ MORE

Matthew Dybus '15

Matthew studied finance and economics at STAC’s School of Business, a path that set the foundation for his current role as a senior underwriter for Liberty Mutual. He was also active on campus, serving as a Student Ambassador and a Career Ambassador. “STAC has provided a tremendous, treasured opportunity of receiving a college education.” READ MORE

Garvenchy Nicolas ‘14

Garvenchy began his career as a personal banker and relationship manager for two leading banking institutions, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America...

Jonathan Clark '04

Starting out as a student at STAC, Jonathan was unsure of what career path he wanted to pursue. However, it wasn’t until he took his first communications course he realized that two of the things he loved, news and radio, could be a career. READ MORE

Morghan Sonzogni '18

“I chose St. Thomas Aquinas College because I fell in love with the Education Program. I enjoyed having the 5 year accelerated Master’s program as an option, and am overjoyed that I was able to take part in it."

Javier Muñoz Laguna, BS '17

Javier’s experiences indicate his affinity for helping others. “Being able to rotate through an integrated setting with many healthcare providers while having the honor to treat those who served our country" has been a highlight in Javier's career thus far.

Savannah Finver, BA ’16

Savannah Finver BA ’16 arrived at St. Thomas Aquinas College with a plan to earn her degree in childhood and special education and become an elementary school teacher. But when she discovered a new intellectual curiosity in her English and religious studies classes, her focus shifted to higher education.

Jules de Courtenay ‘18

“Each unique influence from fellow students and faculty, combined with its small-college compassion makes STAC stand far above other schools. I have found tremendous value in STAC’s ability to both broaden my mind and instill key values that allowed me to be successful and prepared for the workforce.”

Alyssa Hamilton, BA ’16

It didn’t take long for Alyssa Hamilton to return to the place that felt like home during her undergraduate years. In 2019, she came back to campus, not as a student, but as an adjunct lecturer in STAC’s English Department, teaching courses such as Writing About American Literature and Advanced Fiction Workshop.

Heather Palmer, BS ’16

Heather's interest in math evolved from her major in actuarial science—a discipline that applies mathematical and statistical methods to assess risks in fields like insurance and finance, which led her to a senior management position at Equitable Life.

William E. Wrightson 5th, ’16

Bill models the examples set by his professors in the classroom and credits the time he spent as an RA at STAC for developing other skills that have proven useful in his career, including an immediate comfort level standing up before a class to teach: “Dr. Shultz, Dr. Rothschild, Professor Golland, Dr. Murray, and Dr. O’Neill had a lasting impact on my love of English. I found their love and knowledge infectious and hope to instill that same spark in my students now.” READ MORE

Angela Santoro ’16

“I decided to pursue education because I wanted to teach children that learning can be fun and that they can do anything they set their minds to,” she says. “Once I took the first few education classes at St. Thomas Aquinas College, I knew that this was the right school and the right career for me.” READ MORE

Amanda Iacobellis '16

Amanda credits her professors in the English Department at STAC for reaffirming her career plans, holding students to a high standard, and for introducing her to new genres and authors. “Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have been when my students become sincerely invested in the piece of literature we are reading in class,” she says. 

Dr. Jerone Dunbar ’09

As the lead of future in-car technology UX research for both mainstream and luxury cars, Jerone’s role as the User Experience Research Lead at Honda allows him to spearhead design and conduct evaluative research for future vehicle infotainment systems. READ MORE

Courtney Gerver '17

When it came time for Courtney to pick a school, what drew her to STAC was the smaller class sizes, the ability to get to know the professors, and the Honors Program. During her first semester, Courtney immediately found her passion when she took her Introduction to Psychology class. READ MORE

Kathryn Baumgartner '15

For Kathryn Baumgartner, teaching was always a desired industry, and English was a field that greatly interested her. However, it was not until later on in her professional and academic career that she would realize a career as a Librarian would be the perfect fit.

Caitlin Zungoli '15

While Caitlin wishes she had more time for volunteering, she always has time for her alma mater: “I will give the school as much time and talent as I can so that other students can have the same exceptional experiences I did..."

Melissa Urena Castillo ’17

"The most rewarding thing about my career is seeing the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits Recreation Therapy has for my patients" ... READ MORE

Sarah Montello, BA ’16

Imagine researching 19th-century literature in one of the oldest libraries in Europe .... READ MORE

Ariana Carpentieri, BA ’18

Watching big ideas transform into manuscripts and ultimately bound volumes that land on bookstore shelves .... READ MORE

Nicki LiTrenta

Nicki LiTrenta knew she wanted to work at Bloomberg from the moment she visited the organization’s New York City’s headquarters with the STAC Business Club last year. While it took some serious perseverance, she has since made... READ MORE

Alexa Fox, BS ’13

Alexa Fox discovered her passion for optometry while shadowing professionals in the field as an honors student at St. Thomas Aquinas College. “I was pretty certain I wanted to pursue a career as an eye care physician and that decision was solidified after shadowing professionals in the field... READ MORE