From First-Years to Future Leaders
Saint Mary’s Welcomes Largest First-Year Class in Decades
This weekend, Saint Mary’s College welcomes a massive first-year class to campus, one of the largest in decades. Numerous transfer students are also joining them. Planning to welcome this many new students to campus was months in the making, beginning with recruiting this group of talented and diverse women. Sarah Gallagher Dvorak ’99, dean of enrollment management and marketing at the College, discussed the team efforts that brought this class to Saint Mary’s.
"I couldn't be prouder of the entire admission team. Every one of these hard-working and tenacious people played a significant role in our enrollment success this year,” Gallagher Dvorak said. “We couldn't have done it without the rest of the Saint Mary’s community. I want to thank, in particular, our colleagues throughout the Student Enrollment and Engagement division, Student Financial Services, and Marketing and Communications.”
“It's been decades since we've welcomed a first-year class of this size. It speaks to the incredible work the College has been doing to provide the experiences and outcomes students and families are seeking today,” Gallagher Dvorak said. “The Avenue Experience and its curriculum-to-career focus provides exceptional support and preparation for our students as they prepare for life after graduation."
The incoming class of 480 students includes 29 percent students of color, 31 percent first generation students, and 26 percent legacy students. They hail from 35 US states and territories and three countries. Within these impressive demographics are students already making their mark: One is a published author, several are non-profit founders and entrepreneurs, and one student has conducted cancer research with Harvard and Yale professors.
The residence halls are more than a place to sleep—they are living, breathing classrooms where students practice empathy, resilience, and courage.
- Juls White, Director of Residence Life and Community Standards
Campus partners like the Office of Residence Life and the Student Government Association (SGA) have also worked to ensure a welcoming college experience through a variety of initiatives such as staff training and planning, culminating in the Belles Beginnings Orientation weekend—three days of programming to help students familiarize themselves with campus life, enjoy activities, and build community.
“Our residential education priority is to foster inclusive, supportive living environments where students develop the skills, self-awareness, and relationships that will shape them long after they leave Saint Mary’s,” said Juls White, director of Residence Life and Community Standards. “This year, our team has worked tirelessly to bring that vision to life—from organizing housing placements to planning intentional community-building efforts, and preparing student leaders to guide their peers through the many transitions that come with college life.”
According to White, resident assistants (RAs), returning leaders and mentors to Saint Mary’s students, spent the summer in workshops learning the four core goals of Res Life—Interpersonal Communication, Personal Identity, Community, and Diversity. “They’re not just here to respond to issues, they’re here to cultivate sisterhood, celebrate growth, and model what it means to live intentionally in community,” she said.
Student Government Association (SGA) president Ivy Munoz ’26 and vice president Kayli Zelinske-Mader ’26, met at BelleFest 2022 and forged a friendship that grew into a passion to lead and mentor fellow Belles. “One thing that makes Saint Mary’s College stand out from the rest is the bright and passionate community of students who walk the halls and sidewalks every day with smiles and hellos,” said Zelinske-Mader.
Belles Beginnings, the heart of move-in weekend, has kept Munoz and Zelinske-Mader, along with myriad campus partners, focused on creating a smooth transition to college life for incoming students. “One of the biggest things we’ve been preparing for is BelleFest,” said Munoz. “There’s been a lot of meaningful thought put into it because we want our incoming first-years and transfer students to really feel how strong the Saint Mary’s sisterhood and community are this year.”
Munoz and Zelinske-Mader are looking beyond orientation weekend in their roles with SGA: “We are working to shift away from being an events-heavy organization by implementing more lasting initiatives, hosting ‘office hour’ inspired tabling sessions, and becoming leaders in civic engagement by fostering partnerships with local organizations to strengthen our College’s commitment to social responsibility. We welcome all feedback and ideas on how we can improve Saint Mary’s College,” Munoz said.
White echoes the SGA leaders’ sentiment and her teams’ desire to create a welcoming living environment for Saint Mary’s students: “The residence halls are more than a place to sleep—they are living, breathing classrooms where students practice empathy, resilience, and courage. It is our hope that every student who walks through our doors this year will feel a sense of belonging, will be challenged to grow, and will come to recognize just how capable, compassionate, and powerful they truly are.”
August 21, 2025