Student Life Director
Emily Marchese
Introduction:
Hello! My name is Emily Marchese and I am the Student Life Director for Encuentro Dominicano. As Student Life Director, it is my job to help Creighton Students experience Dominican culture safely and meaningfully. The name Encuentro Dominicano translates to "Dominican Encounter," and in that spirit, one of my main goals is to help Creighton students understand, feel, and connect to what surrounds them in the Dominican. Students will spend time conducting service projects, enjoying cultural excursions, and reflecting individually and communally. They will also participate in two ten-day immersions, during which they will stay with caring, Dominican host families.
Above all, my priority is the well-being of the students. I will work with student to make sure they are well-informed and prepared to keep themselves safe and healthy, and will be readily available as a resource and a source of support.
Education:
Master of Science in Nonprofit and NGO Leadership, University of Pennsylvania, 2011.
Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Hispanic Studies, Boston College, 2007.
Background:
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I lived in the Dominican Republic in a small campo outside of the city of Cotuí -just a short two-hour trip southeast of Santiago. While there I worked as a Healthy Families volunteer educating women, teens, and children about healthy living practices. I also developed a deep love of the country and the culture: the music, the dancing, and the dominos!
I am an alumna of Boston College, where I studied English and Spanish. It was also at BC that I first developed a passion for international development and a commitment to the Jesuit principle of being a Woman for Others. I first put this into practice during the summer after my junior year, when I traveled to Venezuela to volunteer in a small village on the Brazilian border. During my junior and senior years at BC, I served as a Resident Assistant in two different freshman residence halls, and thoroughly enjoyed being a confidant and a resource to over 100 young women.
I have a large family which includes my parents, three siblings, and two beautiful nephews. I am originally from Rochester, New York - where much of my family still lives. Most recently, I was living in Philadelphia, PA while completing my master's degree at the University of Pennsylvania. I love cooking, movies, and exploring new places and cultures. I am more than happy to be a resource here in the DR, and welcome any questions you might have!