University of St. Thomas

Danielle Hansen, Class of 2004

Why did you want to go to the University of St. Thomas?

As a junior in high school I had completed a large amount of research on colleges and universities. One of the most important attributes that I considered when looking for a university was the mission and application of that mission in addition to the core curriculum. At UST, the value of giving back to the community was rooted in everyday education. Students were provided with the opportunity to help in numerous ways including: mission trips, volunteer hour degree requirements, tutor/mentor programs, and service learning just to name a few. I wanted to obtain a multifaceted education that allowed me to give back to the community which is what UST provided for me.

How did your time at St. Thomas change the way you look at or interact with the world?

At UST, I was provided with the opportunity to further expand my education in numerous methods including both inside and outside the classroom applications. As an undergrad, I worked closely with Adams School of Immersion, a Spanish Immersion school, to not only further my Spanish speaking skills but also to give back to younger generations. Thereby expanding both my realm of learning and theirs. In turn, I had the ability to meet and interact with people of various diverse backgrounds including international students thus broadening my perspectives and increasing my cultural knowledge beyond the classroom.

In turn, I was able to partner directly with Dr. Marsnik of the Legal Studies in Business Department on a Collaborative Research Inquiry Grant. In this realm, I was able to work directly with a prominent business/legal professional at UST to conduct research entitled, "Women’s Reproductive Rights in the Americas: Myth or Reality? A Comparative Analysis of Laws in the United States, Argentina, and Mexico." This allowed me to combine two of my three majors into my research. I was able to use my Spanish language skills to conduct research in Spanish (thus providing me access to many resources that would not have been available if I had only spoken English and making it possible to pair directly with Dr. Marsnik to learn and understand the legal research process, presentation, etc. In turn, I was invited to speak at the Academy of Legal Studies in Business and present my research at their annual conference in Ottawa, Canada.

Without Dr. Marsnik, none of this would have been possible. She is a professor that continually goes above and beyond her role as a professor. Without her, my UST experience would not have made as significant of an impact on my academic career.

What elements of the University’s mission did you most identify with? What have you taken with you; in other words, how did your years at UST affect you in your later life?

My experiences at UST provided a foundation on which to build. It was here that I found and further developed myself, beliefs, and values. These three things have continued to be exemplified in my later life. After obtaining a triple major from UST, I obtained a job at Medtronic, a company heavily rooted in their mission. In this period of my life, I’m able to continue giving back to the community through the Medtronic Mission in Motion program in which I am an Ambassador for. This is a position in addition to my career as a Medical Device Technical Sourcing Specialist but allows me to put the Medtronic Mission along with my values in motion to make an impact in the lives of others.

If you had one wish for future women at UST, what would it be?

If I had one wish for future women at UST, it would be for them to fully establish who they are along with their values and then embrace that through their everyday actions. Everyone is unique regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. It is this uniqueness that distinguishes people. By knowing who you are and not being afraid to exemplify your full self no matter if you are at St. Thomas, church, with family, friends, or at work, you will be more successful in the future.

In turn, I would suggest partnering with a mentor while at UST. My mentor was Dr. Marsnik and this has been a lasting relationship that has impacted my life greatly. Not only am I able to learn from her scholarly knowledge but I have also been able to learn from her past experiences as well. When the time comes, I may only hope to be as great of a role model as she has been for me.