Taking a Leap—And Finding Her Place
PRINCESS MAE DELA ROSA VISCONDE '18
BS in Biology, minor in Chemistry
Master of Public Health, Health Policy and Management, and a Certificate in Public Administration, Nonprofit Management from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.
Current Position: Program Manager, Stanford Cancer Institute
Princess Mae Dela Rosa Visconde '18 came to Saint Mary’s College from Hawai'i without ever having visited campus. (When she moved in, it was her first time in Indiana!)
While she arrived unsure of her surroundings, she was clear about one thing: she wanted to do work that mattered. Today, Princess works at the Stanford Cancer Institute. In this Q&A, she reflects on taking a leap, finding support, what she values most about Saint Mary’s.
What first drew you to Saint Mary’s, and what made you decide to attend?
I had never heard of Saint Mary’s until my college and career counselor suggested it. Notre Dame was on my list, but she felt a smaller school might be a better fit—so she pointed out Saint Mary’s. I thought, why not? When I received my offer letter, I noticed it was personalized, so I looked into it a bit more.
I knew I wanted a Catholic environment, and when I compared schools, Saint Mary’s was one of the most affordable options. It was also far from Hawai'i, which mattered to me. I wanted to branch out and experience something new. All of that led me to Saint Mary’s.
Did you know what you wanted to study when you arrived at Saint Mary’s? How did your path evolve?
I entered Saint Mary’s as a biology major and was pre-med. Up until my junior year, I fully planned to apply to medical school. But I remembered a professor asking me why I wanted to go into medicine. I said I wanted to help people. He told me there were many ways to make a difference—and medicine was only one of them.
Coming from a Filipino, Asian household, I had grown up believing successful careers were limited to doctor, lawyer, or engineer. Saint Mary’s helped me see beyond that. Through classes like Emerging Infectious Diseases, Medical Ethics, and coursework on public health and biotechnology, I discovered public health—and realized it aligned deeply with my values.
What came next after graduating?
I applied to Master of Public Health programs during my senior year and ultimately returned to Hawai'i because of cost. I was sad about leaving Saint Mary’s, but a campus minister encouraged me to trust where the Spirit was leading me.
Graduating during the pandemic was challenging, but it also revealed the importance of public health. I worked in contact tracing training for the state of Hawai'i and later led vaccination distribution sites. That first job taught me everything I could possibly know about the workforce, because I had to do everything and anything 24/7, and it felt like the world was depending on me at the time.
After that, I joined a national nonprofit serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. It was my dream job at the time and allowed me to build programs, lead initiatives, and serve the community that raised me.
Today, I work at the Stanford Cancer Institute in community outreach and engagement. I collaborate with physicians and program leaders to bring health education—like community breast health talks—directly to the public in ways that feel accessible and welcoming.
Courses I took at Saint Mary’s directly applied to my work. And beyond academics, I learned how to advocate for myself. A communications class taught us how to negotiate salaries and speak up professionally. That lesson stayed with me. I turned down early job offers that undervalued my experience—and that decision led to stronger opportunities.
How would you describe the value of a Saint Mary’s education?
Something a social work professor said has always stayed with me: co-ed colleges were built by men, for men, and hesitantly accepted women. All-women’s colleges like Saint Mary’s were built by women and for women.
Saint Mary’s puts women first. It empowers us, builds our confidence, and prepares us to lead. As an Asian woman, I learned how to advocate for myself in ways I don’t think I would have learned anywhere else.
I’ve been in the workforce for several years now, and the confidence, advocacy skills, and values I gained at Saint Mary’s are things I still rely on every day. That education stays with you for a lifetime.
QUICK TAKES
Favorite dining hall meal: Soup bread bowls during Lent
Favorite spot on campus: Labyrinth
Favorite tradition: Opening of the circle + final walk down the Avenue