Albertus Magnus College Announces Plans for 102nd Commencement Ceremony

Donna M Carroll, Ed.D., president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU), will receive the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa and deliver the Commencement Address to the Legacy Class of Albertus Magnus College. Dr. Carroll began her career in student affairs. Several moves and promotions later, including appointments as academic dean and chief advancement officer, she returned home to New York to work at Fordham University. In 1994, she became the 10th President of Dominican University in Illinois, the institution’s first lay president and one of the youngest in the country. She describes her current position as an “unanticipated blessing” — to serve Catholic higher education at a national level. She’s also recognized as an outspoken advocate for immigration reform and the rights of undocumented students. She has received numerous academic, civic, and diocesan accolades for her justice-oriented leadership including the Strangers No Longer Award from the Archdiocese of Chicago. In 2022, ACCU honored her with the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, CSC Award, for her significant services and contributions to Catholic higher education.

Sean P. O’Connell, Ph.D., who faithfully served Albertus Magnus College since 1987 as a faculty member, mentor, and administrator — becoming the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty in 2013, also will receive the Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa. Throughout his more than three-decade tenure, Dr. O’Connell positively impacted the College, its students, and his colleagues in myriad ways. Among his many accomplishments: he oversaw the licensure or accreditation of 21 academic programs; oversaw the development and implementation of 11 grant-funded initiatives to support faculty development and student success; developed and launched the Flex program delivery format in the Division of Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS); and established the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. As a faculty member, Dr. O’Connell has been celebrated for his teaching excellence and scholarship — always a passionate advocate for faculty and academic enterprise. He also served in key leadership roles for initiatives such as strategic planning and NECHE reaccreditation.

The Centro San Jose Family Center in New Haven, Conn., is part of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Hartford, a nonprofit agency serving people of all faiths, backgrounds, and ages, and dedicated to providing essential services and support to individuals and families in need. Centro San Jose, which will receive the St. Dominic Medal, offers an early childhood program that provides a strong foundation for future success in the classroom and a lifetime of learning. Older students also have opportunities to improve their academic and social development in afterschool activities. And central to the center’s mission is a commitment to involving families so that they may grow stronger, more successful and live with the dignity that we all deserve. Accepting on behalf of the organization is Sylvia Velez, Director of the Centro San Jose Family Center.

Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership, Inc. (LEAP), a New Haven-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved youth by fostering leadership potential, is the other St. Dominic medal awardee. Founded in 1992 by educators, students, and community activists to address the historic disinvestments in young People of Color, LEAP creates a nurturing environment where young leaders mentor, educate, and care for children through year-round programs — leading to positive academic and social outcomes. LEAP is the largest youth-serving agency in New Haven, employing more than 300 young people annually and supporting their educational pursuits. Since its inception, LEAP has become a trusted community institution, serving more than 1,600 youth in 2024 — helping them to find their voice and become role models. LEAP provides young people with the tools they need to succeed in life - creating a positive ripple effect throughout the community. Accepting on behalf of the organization is Executive Director Henry Fernandez.