Junior Elizabeth “Libby” Dellessio knows that college is the time to try different things. As a young student, she says it’s nice to have so many options, and she isn’t tied to one path.
Which is why she wasn’t afraid to transfer colleges after her freshman year.
Her goal was to find a smaller school closer to home. And, when she saw the beauty of the bluffs surrounding Saint Mary’s Winona Campus and saw how tight-knit the community was, she knew she’d found the right place.
She found that meeting new friends as a transfer student can be difficult, but her mom encouraged her to join things, telling her, “You don’t say no, make others say no to you.” So Dellessio started getting more involved, joining clubs and running for Student Senate, as well as serving as a hall representative for her residence hall — and it worked.
“I was making a lot of connections. It got smoother. Now I know a lot of people on campus, and I have so many friends,” she said. “Saint Mary’s is a welcoming community. I went to a smaller high school, and I had a great high school experience, so I knew people exceed better at a smaller school. If I went to a big college, I would have been forgotten. Saint Mary’s cares that transfers feel seen. People sometimes say attending a small school isn’t good. I see no negatives to it.”
Dellessio recently switched majors, from chemistry to philosophy.
“In our society, we’re missing out on a lot of free thought, especially with AI, and I want to be able to think for myself, instead of following what people say,” she said. “I love learning why we are good people or why laws are certain ways.”
Following graduation, she hopes to do some form of missionary work, learning from the De La Salle Christian Brothers, as well as family members who have served in the Peace Corps, that by serving others, you will find your path.
For now, Dellessio is taking advantage of opportunities at Saint Mary’s. She also works in admissions and started her own club. “I tell (potential students) how well you will be known. You’re going to build genuine connections.” She quotes Saint Catherine of Siena who said, “Be who you were made to be, and you’ll set the world on fire.”
“You’re going to flourish here,” she said.
