“Not for School, but for Life”: Visitation Alumnae Share Advice for College and Beyond
Emily Wollan, VisLife Editor
The Sisterhood lives on as Visitation Alumnae share how their experience at Visitation has helped shape them into the person they are today. Despite a variety of different occupations and years of graduation, each alumna emphasizes the shared experience of Salesian Spirituality which is rooted in the Visitation spirit and one that still holds true to the present-day.
Maddy DeMeules ’10
What are you doing currently? Finishing up Law School at Harvard Law. Post-grad I will be clerking for two Minnesota judges (one state trial court and one federal trial court). Clerkships are like legal apprenticeships where you do a lot of reading and writing for your judge and learn about the legal process from the vantage point of the person making the decisions. How has your experience at Visitation shaped y...
Annette Okafor ’17
What are you doing currently? I graduated from Vis in 2017 and am graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison this spring with an Honors Major in Biology and minor in Gender & Women's Studies How has your experience at Visitation shaped your life? My science classes at Vis helped solidify my interest in STEM and are part of the reason that I chose to major in Biology...
Mary Brabeck ’63
What are you doing currently? I graduated from Vis in 1963. Currently, I am retired from work as a psychology professor and dean. I was at Boston College for 23 years (1980-2003). I was the Dean of the Lynch School for the last nine years of my time there. I was Dean of New York University's Steinhardt School from 2003 to 2014. I ended my teaching and research career in 2019 and retired as De...
Frannie Berigan ’18
What are you doing currently? I am currently a junior studying Social Work with a minor in Spanish at Creighton University. I graduated from Visitation in 2018. How has your experience at Visitation shaped your life? Visitation was a space where I made mistakes, failed, and broke, yet also the place that I had some of my greatest successes, lessons, and relationships. Visitation'...
Kathleen West ’95
What are you doing currently? I am a writer and teacher. My first novel was published in 2020 when I was 41 years old. I've since published another book, handed in a third to my publisher and am at work on my fourth. In the 20 years before I became an author, I was a full-time teacher. I truly love teaching, and now that I have two careers, I try to balance them by taking part-time and tem...
Shannon Witkowski ’90
What are you doing currently? I graduated from Visitation in 1990 and attended Marquette University- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. I started working in the medical device industry in 1994 and am still working here today. My devices have ranged from large lung volume machines down to 1mm implantable rings. Currrently, I am in the Research & Development Engineering Group and am the Tec...
Payton Foley ’17
What are you doing currently? I am a current senior at St. Olaf College majoring in Spanish and will graduate this coming May. Along with being a student, I am contracted virtually through the City of Chicago Public Health Department. I have worked since November as a Pediatric Case Investigator for COVID-19. Key aspects of my work include following up with parents of children who have rec...
Rachel Mairose ’03
What are you doing currently? I graduated from Vis in 2003, and I am currently the Executive Director/Founder of Secondhand Hounds, one of the largest animal rescues in the Midwest. We are a foster-based organization that rescues dogs and cats from high kill shelters and finds them amazing homes. We also provide low-cost veterinary services to underserved communities. Last year we officially opened o...
Isabella D’Aquila ’17
What are you doing currently? I graduated from Vis in 2017, and I’m currently finishing up my senior year at Saint Mary’s College! I’ll graduate with a double major in Humanistic Studies and Communication Studies at the end of May. While I’ve been at Saint Mary’s, I’ve worked in the campus Writing Center as a Writing Tutor. After graduation, I’m going to graduate school at the ...
Patricia Hampl ’64
What are you doing currently? I'm a writer and have published 9 books (2 poetry, 7 essays, and memoirs), as well as various pieces in magazines--The New Yorker, Paris Review, New York Times, etc. I graduated from Vis in 1964--wow, that sounds historical. I attended the Fairmount Avenue school, a magical place. How has your experience at Visitation shaped your life? That's easy...
Shelagh Mullen ’82
What are you doing currently? I started at Vis in 4th grade, and our class size was about 8 girls. Some of whom I still keep in contact with today! As High School approached, our class size grew, and I definitely still see most of my high school friends. The class of ’82 was a great class with amazing women! In college (University of Wisconsin-Stout) I studied Graphic Design, which I’ve bee...
Dana Tregilgas Johnson ‘68
What are you doing currently? I graduated from Vis in 1968 when its name was “Convent of the Visitation.” I am now retired from teaching mathematics and education (middle school, high school, and college). In retirement, I have written a book, “Will This Be on the Test? What Your Professors Really Want You to Know About Succeeding in College,” that is intended to help high school ...
Milissa Silva-Diaz ’90
What are you doing currently? I graduated from Visitation in 1990. I am currently the CEO of our family's 2nd generation 42-year-old business El Burrito Mercado, and it is currently owned and operated by myself, my sister, and my niece, and we are an all-women second and third-generation business. How has your experience at Visitation shaped your life? My experience is unique f...
Maeve Berigan ’17
What are you doing currently? I graduated from Vis in 2017. I am currently a graduating senior at Marquette University, studying Speech Pathology and Audiology. I am going to graduate school here at Marquette to get my master's in Speech Pathology and Audiology. How has your experience at Visitation shaped your life? Visitation not only taught me how to be a great student, but it taught ...
Kate (Armstrong) Pico ’98
What are you doing currently? I graduated from Vis in 1998 and went to Boston College. I then went to Creighton for Medical School. I am currently an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hand and wrist surgery. I work for HealthPartners at Tria and Regions Hospital. I met my husband in medical school and we have three wonderful kids. My inspiration to go into medicine has always been my da...
Amy Goldman ’82
What are you doing currently? I graduated from Visitation in 1982. My current occupation is as Chair and CEO of the GHR Foundation. GHR Foundation supports people and their limitless potential for good. We work in the areas of health, education, and global development. In my role, I oversee strategy for all of our programs, our investments, and our external partnerships. How has you...
Helayna Sjoberg ’16
What are you doing currently? I am currently in graduate school pursuing my Master's of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology (yes, I did pick epidemiology before a pandemic broke out!) at the University of Minnesota. I graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2020, and I graduated from Vis in 2016. How has your experience at Visitation shaped your life? I am always grateful f...
Kiara Jones ’17
What are you doing currently? I graduated in the class of 2017 for Vis. I’m a senior American Studies major with a concentration in Management at St. Olaf College, and I work as a student writer for the school’s marketing department. I’m also a dance instructor at a small studio down here. In addition to that, I’m a musician and hope to expand my career. After graduation, I plan to...
Aleah Felton ’16
What are you doing currently? I’m a 2016 grad from Vis! After a pretty quick turn of events, I ended up switching from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, attending Gustavus Adolphus College in the fall of 2016. I graduated in 2020 with my degree in Communication Arts, Literature Teaching, which is just a fancy way of saying Secondary English Education. I’m now working as a 10th and ...
Patty Boo-Pryor ’84
What are you doing currently? Graduated from Vis in 1984. Attorney/philanthropy strategist/author; recently published Love Moves Us Forward: reflections on kindness, connection, and peace based on the teachings of Saint Francis de Sales as a tribute to the Visitation Sisters; currently launching Heart House Press to promote reflection and connection (look for it on social media :) Ho...
Abby Misukanis ’05
What are you doing currently? My name is Abby Misukanis. I am a 2005 graduate of Visitation. I went on to Saint Catherine’s University after graduating and earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with a Middle School Specialty in Mathematics. I am in my 10th year of teaching. I currently teach 5th grade at Dayton’s Bluff Achievement Plus Elementary School in Saint ...
Samantha Plante ’17
What are you doing currently? My name is Samantha Plante, and I am a part of the Visitation Class of 2017. Currently, I am a fourth-year undergraduate at the University of Chicago, studying Global Studies with a concentration on Human Rights. Next year I will be working for a non-profit in Washington D.C. dedicated to the reproductive healthcare of incarcerated women with plans to attend law s...
Aalishba Ahmad ’19
What are you doing currently? I graduated from Vis in 2019, and I'm currently wrapping up my Junior year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I decided to study Community Health with a concentration in Health Planning and Administration, with a minor in Business, on a pre-medical track. I'm excited to wrap up my undergraduate degree a year early, so I can complete my Master of P...
Amy Rivard ’87
What are you doing currently? I am currently the 4th-grade teacher here at Vis. I graduated in 1987 with a class size of 77 girls which was at that time, the largest graduating class. How has your experience at Visitation shaped your life? Visitation holds such a special place in my heart; the bonds of friendship, the joyful presence of the Sisters, and the Salesian virtues hav...
Faith Geis ’20
What are you doing currently? I am a 2020 grad from Visitation. I am just wrapping up my freshman year at Creighton University in Omaha, NE. I am studying business management and theology while working on campus as a tour guide and being involved in the freshman leadership program. How has your experience at Visitation shaped your life? I have seen how countless experiences at Vi...
Brigid Ryan-Ling ’97
What are you doing currently? I graduated from Vis in 1997. I started my own marketing consulting business (Ryan-Ling, LLC) in 2006, and I work with a host of amazing businesses around Minnesota, helping them with their marketing communication, branding, and business growth needs. I also founded a company with my husband called TackleBar, which is a youth football product company. The ...
Elizabeth Wollan ’15
What are you doing currently? I currently work as a legal analyst at a law firm in Washington, D.C., where I help attorneys in matters of anti-corruption and international white-collar crime work. This fall, I will be transitioning to graduate school at Georgetown University, where I will be studying international conflict negotiation and resolution, foreign policy, and international law in...
Allie Rangel ’04
What are you doing currently? I graduated from Vis in 2004. I’m currently a Creative Director at Bold Orange, a customer experience agency in Minneapolis. How has your experience at Visitation shaped your life? I was a Vis lifer. Having spent 14 years there shaped me in numerous tangible and intangible ways. Visitation helped build my confidence, taught me the importance of com...
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