Career Outcomes

Laura Sonday ‘19

MARKETING AND SPANISH MAJOR

Laura is a media and marketing coordinator for Bleachr, a mobile sports app startup company based in Downtown Minneapolis.

As part of the marketing team, Sonday started her new job by going to four professional tennis tournaments across the country, beginning with the Hall of Fame Open in Newport, R.I., the only grass-surface tournament of its kind in the U.S. Currently, Bleachr creates apps for tournaments in four different countries: U.S., Canada, France, and Switzerland.

Ricky Palermo ’16

PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJOR

With diploma in hand and dreams of becoming a sport commentator, Ricky Palermo hit the golf course last summer. He was working a post-graduate internship covering a range of communication functions and social media at tournaments for the American Junior Golf Association. A year later, Ricky is on his way to achieving his dreams, working as a production assistant for Fox Sports North and as a play-by-play announcer and host for North Metro TV in Blaine, Minn. Going to a small college meant opportunities to get involved and lead. Ricky served as Student Senate president and campus sports announcer, and directed an award-winning video against sexual assault. The former manager for the Saint Mary’s team now says he’d “like to work my way up through the baseball minor leagues, but the PGA tour would be just as cool.” 

Allie Thiel ’16

BIOLOGY PRE-MED MAJOR

Allie Thiel managed to “do it all” as a student. Along with a challenging major, she played french horn and ran for the cross country and track teams. She completed the prestigious Mayo Innovation Scholars program with Mayo Clinic, and conducted cancer research supported by R&D Systems and the Beta Beta Beta National Honor Society. Allie was named the top oral presenter at the 2016 Winchell Symposium at the University of Minnesota, and she was invited to present her senior thesis cancer research at the Beta Beta Beta national convention. She is currently a patient care technician at a medical center in Hinsdale, Ill., with plans for medical school to specialize in internal medicine.

Katie Leisen ’15

BIOLOGY MAJOR

Katie Leisen was always drawn to a career in science, enjoying the hands-on work and the potential to truly help people.

Now a research technologist at Mayo Clinic, Katie is well on her way. Having seen members of her family grapple with Alzheimer’s, she sought out a senior-year internship at Mayo’s Anesthesia Department lab, where Alzheimer’s research was being conducted. Leisen knows she wants to obtain her Ph.D. and eventually continue research in Alzheimer’s. “You need to find that passion that wakes you up in the morning every day,” she says, “and I have.”

Manire Vaughn ’15

HUMAN SERVICES AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJOR

Now attending law school, Manire Vaughn’s interest in becoming an attorney was influenced by the hands-on experiences Saint Mary’s provided.

Interning at both the Winona County Attorney’s Office and the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department, he educated senior citizens about elder abuse and coordinated partnerships and events in recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Says Vaughn, “I realize that as a college-educated person, I have the unique privilege of using my education to foster change in policy, legislation, and systems.”

Preston Black ’15

SPORT MANAGEMENT, SPANISH, BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE AND ANALYTICS MAJOR

Preston Black ’15 landed a job with the Los Angeles Rams just two months after graduating from Saint Mary’s University.

As a data analyst and business intelligence coordinator, Black works in a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and deals with all aspects of business for the Los Angeles Rams, from concessions to ticket sales to sponsorships, linking all aspects of the business, from finance to customer service, so each area is in communication. 

Julianne Bartosz ’13

SPANISH AND PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJOR

As coordinator of public relations for the Chicago White Sox, Julianne Bartosz ’13 contributed to first baseman Paul Konerko’s nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award (which he co-won and was awarded before Game 3 of the 2014 World Series).

In her dream job, she also worked on the script for a pre-game ceremony honoring Yankees legend Derek Jeter on the afternoon of his last big league game at U.S. Cellular Field.

Zachary Cizek ’11

MARKETING MAJOR

An entrepreneur and self-proclaimed foodie, Zachary Cizek ’11 turned his love for sandwiches into a successful food-stand business based out of Chicago. From there, Cizek created Bollito’s Tuscan Red Sauce, now sold in Chicago and in all 56 Midwest Whole Foods Markets.

Currently Cizek has plans to launch additional sauce varieties and also to expand into the salad dressing market. 

George Stephenson, J.D. ’80

EDUCATION MAJOR

A Chicago native, George Stephenson graduated from Saint Mary’s with a degree in education and went on to attend law school at William Mitchell.

He has served admirably as an attorney and federal defender for the City of Saint Paul and was appointed and re-elected as judge for the Ramsey County District Court. He is an active volunteer and mentors young lawyers and those interested in a career in law.

Celeste Williams ’80

THEATRE MAJOR

A professional actress and theatre professor, Celeste Williams’ Chicago credits are numerous.

She is a member of the Columbia College theatre faculty and has twice received the “Best Featured Actress in a Play” award from Black Theater Alliance Awards, Inc. Williams’ acting career began on a much smaller stage at Saint Mary’s where she received her degree in theatre.

John McDonough ’75

Under John McDonough’s leadership, Forbes has called the Chicago Blackhawks “The Greatest Sports Business Turnaround Ever.”

McDonough’s tenure as President and CEO has corresponded with the Chicago Blackhawks winning Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013, and 2015—the first organization in the NHL’s salary cap era to capture three championships. The university community is regularly inspired by McDonough, a Saint Mary’s communication arts major who continues to support Saint Mary’s in many ways.