Student & Alumni Spotlight

Ines Cenatiempo '10 | Spanish major

Works in the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Haven, CT. She is now the Victim Assistance Specialist for the district. In her current role, Ms. Cenatiempo oversees the Victim-Witness Unit of the U.S. Attorney's Office and is the first point of contact for federal crime victims.

Alison Hoag '16 | Spanish major

Currently participating in an Education Internship in Darien. “I could truly not be more pleased with my experience...at Sacred Heart. I felt that I always had guidance and was constantly surrounded by people who cared about both my academic experience and overall experience at SHU! I have gained tremendous mentors within this department who inspire me to be the best teacher I can be!”

Alexia Pappalardo '16

Recipient of a Certificate in Advanced Language Study (Italian), is currently studying law at the Western New England School of Law.

Hector Gutierrez '19 | English & Global Studies Double Major

Eve Papa ’19 | English Major

As an English major at Sacred Heart, I have been able to shape my undergraduate education in such a way that caters to my writing interests. Being primarily interested in screenwriting, I was able to add a Film and TV minor to create the perfect program for myself. This, in turn, led to my dream internship: working as a production intern with NBCUniversal. The experience was priceless and I was pleasantly surprised to discover how valuable an English major can be in the TV industry.

Additionally, being an English major opened my eyes to multiple forms of creative writing and in the spring of 2018 I had a poem published in Vistas Magazine. I was also able to discover a love for research in my literature classes and in the fall of 2018 I had a piece on Nathaniel Hawthorne and the modern debate of eugenics published in the SHU Scholar. Not only did my research experiences help me become published, but they also helped me hone my presentation skills through experiences such as the SHU Academic Festival and the College of Arts and Sciences Honor of Academic Distinction finalists’ presentation. To sum up my vast and positive moments with the English department is difficult, but I can say that I will carry these experiences with me through graduate school and the rest of my life.

Read Eve’s scholarly article on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story “The Birthmark”

Julia Fama '19 | English Major

Prior to entering college, I knew that there were two things that I wanted to do in life: become a teacher and write. Therefore, I chose to major in English as I knew it would prepare me for both careers. I could not be more satisfied with my experience with the English Department at SHU. The professors have pushed me to levels that I never expected I could reach.

In the fall of 2017, I was given the opportunity to write an interdisciplinary paper, in which I examined Temple Grandin’s strategies for including students with Autism in mainstream classrooms. This paper allowed me to practice my skills as an English major while conducting research related to the field of education. I was later able to have this paper published in the SHU Scholar.

To satisfy my desire to write, I enrolled in several Creative Writing courses and was then encouraged to pick up a minor in Creative Writing. The Creative Writing courses have helped me to develop skills and techniques that I will carry throughout my journey as a writer. My professors offered invaluable advice for each of my pieces and I am now in the process of seeking publication for a short story I have written. I credit my professors for helping me build the confidence I needed as a writer to reach this step.

I am happy to say that I will be returning to SHU for graduate school where I will continue to pursue a career as a secondary English teacher.

Viki Caputo '17 | English Major, Creative Writing Minor

Sacred Heart has allowed to me do things I have never imagined possible. The English department and the inspiring professors has let me pursue one of my biggest dreams: becoming an author. 

In November of 2016, I completed a three-year long project of mine. With the help of Dr. Sandra Young and Dr. Jonas Zdanys, I was able to finish writing my first book: “Trust Me: Through the Eyes of a Survivor.”  The book focuses on the truth behind various types of mental illnesses. Through a number of personal experiences and anecdotes, mental health is explored and explained in a deeper manner. This inside understanding of what mental illness is tells the reader an insightful and powerful story. The stigmas and myths of mental illness are identified, explained and corrected. This book sheds a necessary light on mental health, educating the uninformed and providing hope for those who suffer to find the joy and fulfillment in life.

On January 15th, 2018, my book will be officially published and released by Kharis Publishing. Without the love, help and support from professors, friends and family, this dream of mine would have never become a reality. Without Sacred Heart, this idea that I dreamt up one day when I was just a kid would have never taken flight. This accomplishment is going to be one of my biggest yet and I have the Sacred Heart University English Department to thank for their constant support and faith in me and my story.

Carrianne Dillon '15 | English Major

After graduating from Sacred Heart in 2015, I took a gap year before deciding to enroll in the University of Glasgow’s Masters in Fantasy Literature. The program in Scotland is brand new and is the only Masters certification in the world for this type of literature. My year, 2016-17, is the second one and we get to be the forerunners and champions of Fantasy as a valid and important genre in academic discourse. My cohort includes about 20 students from around the globe, all of whom have vastly different undergraduate backgrounds.

As a graduate student, I am so grateful to the faculty of the English Department at Sacred Heart. The scope of the material taught, the patience and kindness of my professors and their unwavering belief in me prepared me to enter graduate school feeling confident that I would be on an equal footing with my peers. My professors taught me how to work with and assess different types of literature and theory, to be in control of my writing and to develop confidence and poise in my speaking abilities. They also introduced me to poems, stories and novels that have proven invaluable to my success here. I would not trade my experience at Sacred Heart for anything and I can think of no better place to send prospective students. 

When I return to Connecticut, I plan to pursue a career in education. In the meantime, I will continue traveling, eating, writing and enjoying myself in the UK. I have an informal journal blog and I am always happy to get comments, questions or book recommendations!

Michael Lenard '17 | English Minor

The English program at Sacred Heart has opened my eyes to a myriad of diverse perspectives that I otherwise would not have encountered. Ranging in topic, often with unique and exciting interdisciplinary twists, the English courses I have taken at SHU have been among my favorites in college. The department's professors are passionate, supportive, and encouraging, and my writing has become more effective as a result. Pursuing the English minor has challenged me to continuously polish and improve my communication skills. Combined with my business degree, I feel that the minor has opened up many doors for my future, including a plethora of career paths and graduate school opportunities.

Katherine Nichols '12 | English Major

I graduated from Sacred Heart in spring 2012. Directly following graduation, I attended Michigan State University College of Law to earn my Juris Doctor degree in spring 2015. Throughout my three years at MSU, I studied abroad in Poland and under a state court judge in Lansing. I also served as a mediator in MSU's Mediation Clinic and as a Law Clerk to a 501(c)(3) providing legal services specifically for those with disabilities. My favorite externship was working as a Student Attorney in Ann Arbor, which allowed me to practice family law exclusively for domestic violence survivors. This experience strongly influenced my decision to become a family law attorney. 

Being an English major helped me immensely in law school. I was able to read and comprehend material quickly because I was used to having to read novels in a few hours. The most valuable skill I learned was how to trace multiple literary themes throughout a novel, which in law school helped me to identify and pull together the right issues from different topics in a legal case. I also chose to major in English because I wanted to understand the motivations behind people's actions, which today allows me to relate better to clients from various backgrounds. 

I wholeheartedly enjoyed being an English major at Sacred Heart. One of the highlights was studying Irish Literature abroad in Dingle, Ireland during a summer session. It was memorable to read about a particular part of the country and then visit the actual sites. On campus, I led the English Club and organized an annual Bookstore Crawl in New York City to visit famous bookstores like the Strand. I was also involved with the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, attending two conferences at which I moderated a panel and presented my own work. The conferences gave me the unique opportunity to hear how others interpreted literary works I had studied in class from different perspectives. Many of my classmates who attended them went on to teach English or study it in graduate programs.

Currently I am an Associate Attorney at a small law firm in Michigan, and I very much enjoy my work and helping to build the practice. If you are thinking about law school, please feel free to contact me on LinkedIn!

Patrick Robinson '18 | English Major

At Sacred Heart, I am studying English literature and Theatre Arts. Since starting in fall 2014, I have been involved in nearly thirty theatrical performances, including both plays and musicals. Being an English major has given me the tools to better analyze and comprehend these performances. By reading great literature, I have gained a deeper understanding of human behavior, emotion and character. It has also made me more aware of structural elements like plot and setting. In my classes, I have studied a wide range of writers, from Henry David Thoreau to postcolonial authors like Kamala Markandaya. I have been extremely fortunate to work alongside the dedicated and inspiring professors in the department who have pushed me to achieve success in a healthy and comfortable environment. After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in acting.

Cristina Zangaglia '17 | English Major, Italian Minor

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a teacher. As I got older, I noticed that I had a real passion for language because I grew up in an Italian-speaking household. When I entered college, I chose English as my major because I always enjoyed reading and writing. Along with my Italian minor, I hope to earn my certification in both subject areas and fulfill my dream of teaching.

Throughout my time at Sacred Heart, my favorite courses have been those in my major. Although the content has been educational and interesting, the faculty are what make each course worthwhile. The professors are brilliant people and so good at what they do. Each one of them has shown a genuine care and respect for me as their student. Because they have supported me while pushing me to work my hardest, I have grown both academically and personally.

The major has allowed me to develop interpersonal skills through class discussions and I have gained a strong understanding of how to write and speak clearly and concisely. As a result, I was chosen to be a member of the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society last year. During spring semester of 2015, I also had the opportunity to study abroad in Rome, Italy. There, I was able to complete my Italian minor and take a Shakespeare course that involved traveling to Verona! The English Department will always hold a special place in my heart.