USD-Magazine-Spring-2025

SPRING 2025

BEAUTY, GOODNESS AND TRUTH

White lilies painted with a vibrant yellow background represent both the deep sorrow of tragedy, as well as the overwhelming strength and hope of the human spirit. The donated artwork hangs in the reflection room on the first floor of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice. To read more on the gift, see page 9.

Yoshiko Nagara-Kozu, Prayer for the Victims . Acrylic on canvas, 193cm x 243cm.

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17 CONFRONTING COVID From classrooms to the frontlines, the leaders and learners of the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science share how they adapted, endured and emerged stronger in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contents

12 SHARED SPACE USD alumnus and NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick ’05 (BS/BA) reflects on his first mission into space, the precision of navigating a successful journey home and the power of creating authentic dialogue by sharing captivating imagery.

BEAUTY, GOODNESS AND TRUTH

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DEAR TOREROS

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AROUND ALCALÁ PARK

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AT THE EDGE OF IT ALL

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FAITH IN ACTION

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Cultivating GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES 26 TORERO ATHLETICS 36 TOREROS MAKING WAVES 42 IN MEMORIAM 47 LEADING WITH LOVE 48

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32 THE CAMINO WILL PROVIDE In the summer of 2024, a group of 22 USD alumni and friends traversed the Portuguese path of the Camino de Santiago. Dubbed the Traveling Toreros, all members of the group had unique intentions for their journey.

28 GROWING A LEGACY OF STEM AT USD Darlene Marcos Shiley sat down with University of San Diego Magazine to reflect on her life with her late husband, Donald, her history of giving to USD and the reasons behind her record-setting $75 million gift to establish the Shiley STEM Initiative on campus.

On the Cover Magenta and green aurora borealis emanating from Earth’s atmosphere is framed through a window of the Crew Dragon Endeavor spacecraft in this awe-inspiring image captured by alumnus Matthew Dominick ’05 (BS/BA) while aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in October 2024. During his eight-month stay on the

Innovation ISS, Dominick shot roughly half a million photographs. He counts this image among his favorites.

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Dear Toreros, J ust over a year ago, I had the pleasure of joining USD, and from my first interactions with Torero alumni — both in San Diego and across the globe — I have experienced the special bonds that bring our community together. Toreros are passionate about their alma mater, care deeply about their relationships with each other and are steadfast in their commitment to making a difference through their personal and professional pursuits. The world has changed in countless ways since our founding 75 years ago. However, USD’s approach to education of the whole person continues on, stronger than ever. As we move into our next 75 years, we are excited about the ways we will support our inclusive, globally connected community, including both traditional and novel ways to grow and sustain meaningful, lasting relationships. In this issue of University of San Diego Magazine , we highlight how our university cultivates innovation, one of the four cornerstone commitments in USD’s new strategic plan, Lighting the Way to 2030 . The stories within feature powerful examples of how our students, faculty, alumni and advocates are creating positive, lasting change on campus, around the world, and yes, even in outer space. Their efforts are helping to address the challenges of our time, create a more just and hopeful world, and strengthen the bonds that make us all proud to be Toreros. I am excited to deepen my connections with each of you, and I am grateful for the many ways you support the Torero community. Sincerely,

[President] James T. Harris III, DEd [Vice President, University Advancement] Richard P. Virgin ’24 (PhD) [Associate VP for University Marketing and Communications, University Advancement] Russell J. Yost [Editor] Matthew Piechalak [Contributing Writers] Kelsey Grey ’15 (BA) Lissette Martinez ’03 (BA) Ben Peterson Mike Sauer Patrick Simon Marina Woods [University of San Diego Magazine] Published two times a year by the University of San Diego. U.S. postage paid at San Diego, CA 92110. Please note that content for University of San Diego Magazine has a long lead time. Toreros Making Waves will be reviewed and included based on deadlines for each issue. [Contact Us] University of San Diego 5998 Alcalá Park San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 260-4600 [Website] sandiego.edu [Be Blue, Go Green] University of San Diego Magazine is printed with vegetable-based inks on paper certified in accordance with FSC® standards, which support environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests. [Design Team] Tricia Caparas

Eric Hafner Senior Director of Alumni Relations

SAVE THE DATE! Join us at the USD Wine Classic on July 12, 2025, and help raise funds for student scholarships! For more information, visit usdwineclassic.com .

WE WANT TO KNOW what you think of this issue. Complete a survey. sandiego.edu/usd-mag feedback

Celebrating the 16th annual USD Wine Classic (left to right): Chase Tushaus ‘11, Eric Hafner, Helen (Kasperick) Finneran ‘81 and President James T. Harris III, DEd.

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to USD’s 2024 Founders Gala Leading Supporters The University of San Diego’s Founders Gala raises funds benefiting USD undergraduate, graduate and law students. A special thank you to our sponsors, table hostsand attendees for their generous support and participation! ers

PRESENTING SPONSOR

75TH DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY SPONSORS

LEGACY SPONSORS

HERITAGE SPONSORS

FOUNDERS SPONSORS

DIAMOND TABLES

Jon and Jane (Rollo) Balousek Clay Bennett Family Cox / PNC Bank

Lisa and Ben Arnold (Ava ’25 and Aaron ’28) Bank of America Bright Event Rentals Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP (Zarah and Charles Meyer ’03, ’07 JD)

Rob ’88 and Aida ’89 MacKay MA Engineers Mary M. O’Connor D.D.S., Inc. Rudolph & Sletten, Inc. Sycuan Casino Resort Tushaus Wealth Management (Julia and Chase ’11Tushaus) V Group Whittier Trust

Show Imaging Inc.

Steven ’96 and Kristin ’94 French The McGrory Family The Jamey and Julie Power Family The Wilkinson Family Foundation

Clarity Design / NuFACE Tom and Margaret Lupfer (Clarity Design)

AROUND ALCALÁ PARK

Under the lights of Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, the University of San Diego celebrated its 75th Anniversary Founders Gala.

USD Shines Bright on the Diamond During the 75th Anniversary Founders Gala

In November, the University of San Diego celebrated its storied history and looked ahead to a bright future during its 75th Anniversary Founders Gala. Under the theme “Shine Bright on the Diamond,” a reference to the event’s location on the San Diego Padres baseball diamond and outfield, attendees converged to dine, dance and raise their paddles in support of student scholarships. The Founders Gala was initiated in 2009 under the leadership of recently retired Associate Vice President for University Events and Partnerships Coreen Petti. In the previous six galas, the event raised more than $6 million for student scholarships. The 2024 gala proved to be an extraordinary occasion — raising

$80.1 million in total. Trustee Michael Persall ’02 and fellow alumnus Joe Kudla ’00 pledged $2 million to establish a new Entrepreneurial Leadership Summit in partnership with the Knauss School of Business, and Darlene Marcos Shiley announced a transformational gift of $75 million, the largest in USD history and among the largest gifts ever for a Catholic university in the country. The funding will touch several areas of USD’s campus, with a primary emphasis on creating what will be known as the Shiley STEM Initiative, expanding innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programs and constructing new, state-of-the-art STEM facilities on the USD campus.

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# 5 Promoting Public Service Washington Monthly # 8 Best Catholic Colleges in America Niche

elevate USD’s identity among the world’s most distinguished Catholic universities. By honoring the past and embracing innovative approaches to education, research and service, USD is set to cultivate a dynamic and inclusive academic environment that fosters intellectual growth, ethical leadership and global impact. “The plan reflects our promise to prepare the next generation of leaders, thinkers and Changemakers to address the challenges of our time, to create a more just and hopeful world and to lead with love,” said USD President James T. Harris III, DEd.

NEW STRATEGIC PLAN LIGHTING THE WAY TO 2030

LEARN MORE about the strategic plan cornerstones, goals and milestones. sandiego.edu/lighting

The University of San Diego unveiled its new strategic plan, Lighting the Way to 2030 , in February. The new plan is a bold vision for the future, grounded in USD’s Catholic mission and the enduring values instilled by its founders. With unwavering dedication to faith, academic excellence and community service, the plan seeks to

LIGHTING THE WAY FORWARD THROUGH SERVICE During USD’s 75th anniversary year, students, families, faculty, staff and alumni came together to donate, pack and deliver hygiene products to the Monarch School, which serves unhoused youth and families.

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400+ participants

student

volunteers

1,200+ shower hygiene products 1,900+ dental hygiene products

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AROUND ALCALÁ PARK

# 3 Best Quality of Life The Princeton Review

The Palomar Health Student Wellness Center was carefully planned to promote the holistic success, well-being and sense of belonging of all students. Some of the many services include:

Mindfulness Studio

Group Fitness Studio

Palomar Health Student Wellness Center Now Open

Teaching Kitchen

mental health, inner self, engagement and belonging. Some additional partnership goals and future opportunities include: • Palomar Health providing placement opportunities for USD students. • Developing initiatives and services for USD community members, such as music therapy, stress management, biofeedback, pet therapy and behavioral therapy. • Providing telehealth capabilities to the USD community. • Working with USD on additional opportunities for health and wellness programs for USD employees and alumni.

The Palomar Health Student Wellness Center — part of the transformative partnership between Palomar Health and the University of San Diego — is positioned to revolutionize health and wellness for the campus and the broader San Diego community. The three-story, 80,000-square-foot facility sets a new standard for inclusive wellness resources and NCAA Division I basketball practice facilities for the university’s student-athletes. The wellness center provides accessible indoor and outdoor spaces where the entire campus community will find connections between physical activity, diet and nutrition,

Sensory Room

Esports Lounge

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Resilience and Beauty As a 14 year old in Hiroshima, Japan, Yoshiko Nagara-Kozu survived the atomic bomb. She was working in a factory about a mile away from where the bomb was dropped. While searching for her lost father for more than a month, she came upon a wild flower blossoming and shining beautifully in a burnt field. Ever since, flowers have given her the energy to live. She started to paint at the age of 16, and her experience impacted her perspective as an artist throughout her life. Channeling peace and contemplation, her art focused on the beauty of the world around her — including flowers and landscapes — even in the midst of tragedy and devastation. Nagara-Kozu passed away at the age of 92 and is survived by her daughter and USD alumna, Nami Kozu Satow.

Yoshiko Nagara, Self-Portrait . Age 18-20.

Yoshiko Nagara-Kozu, Peace is the Moment, Red and White Tulips . Acrylic on canvas, 194cm x 324cm.

PEACE AND HEALING THROUGH ART

Nami Kozu Satow ’84 stands in front of one of her mother’s paintings, which hangs in the Palomar Health Student Wellness Center.

USD alumna Nami Kozu Satow ’84, daughter of Hiroshima bombing survivor and professional artist Yoshiko Nagara-Kozu, gifted the university seven of her late mother’s paintings. Satow came to campus in February and held a meaningful conversation with Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies Dean Darren Kew about the importance of peace, healing and art. Satow is an accomplished artist and former TV news anchor in Japan. Through the donation, she hopes to advocate for peace by sharing her mother’s story and message through art.

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AROUND ALCALÁ PARK

Thick, cross-laminated timber panels slow the ability for fire to burn and spline seam connections keep out oxygen.

The insulated metal roof panel system, which comes

in a variety of colors, is designed for quick installation and has a high fire rating.

The uniformity of the polyhedral shapes allows for a highly efficient building process.

The Polyhaus interior creates harmony and comfort with natural light and maximized living spaces.

LEARN MORE about the technology, design and lifestyle of a Polyhaus. polyhaus.com

Photos: Andy Cross and Cody Cloud

USD PROFESSOR DANIEL LÓPEZ-PÉREZ CREATES THE POLYHAUS An Innovative Approach to Sustainable Housing The mission of Polyhaus is direct —

state of California. His hope is that the Polyhaus, available in three sizes, will empower local builders and contractors to build more units faster to address the growing housing shortage. “We feel the pressure of the housing need and the pressure now more and more of climate resilience and sustainability within our housing stock.” The goals of Polyhaus include: • Generating beautiful residential spaces • Maximizing living space volume with minimal land use • Exponentially reducing building times • Producing climate-change resilient homes • Achieving cost-competitive standards

540-square-foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU), composed entirely of mass timber, took just three days to construct. Mass timber is prefabricated cross-laminated timber that is strong, resilient and incredibly fire resistant. The home’s structure includes 64 individually cut Douglas fir panels, produced by Vaagen Timbers in Colville, Washington. Each piece is 4.5 inches thick with spline seam connections. “There is no oxygen within the section, and that’s what causes it to be very fire resilient,” López-Pérez said. “The wood chars at a very slow rate because of its massiveness, and fire cannot penetrate.” López-Pérez believes the model is the first full mass timber diaphragm in the

expedite the growth of housing inventory through an innovative, rapid-construction process that ensures resilient dwellings. Polyhaus was founded in 2021 by University of San Diego Professor of Architecture Daniel López-Pérez, PhD, who is also the founding faculty member of USD’s Architecture Program. Designed to address the nation’s housing crisis, Polyhaus is a series of polyhedron-shaped models for rapid housing that combine the environmental resilience of mass timber with the advancements of digital fabrication and fast assembly. López-Pérez and his wife, Celine Vargas, built the first Polyhaus model, the Tetra-One, in their backyard in 2024. The

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# 1 Most Beautiful Campus The Princeton Review

FUND A FUTURE. CHANGE A LIFE. SUPPORT THE USD SCHOLARSHIP FUND TODAY

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Beauty will attract them; goodness will lead them, but the truth will hold them. Mother Rosalie Hill, RSCJ The trees at Alcalá Park have been carefully selected to provide year-round visual interest through their varying shapes, colors, textures and flowers. Some favorites include: 1) Lagerstroemia indica (crape myrtle) 2) Cassia leptophylla (gold medallion tree) 3) Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island date palm) 4) Pistacia chinensis (Chinese pistache) 5) Bauhinia blakeana (Hong Kong orchid tree) 6) Jacaranda acutifolia (Jacaranda)

Scan the code. Make a difference.

For questions about giving, email annualgiving@sandiego.edu.

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THIRTY-FOUR MINUTES.

That’s all the time it takes to travel more than 9,000 miles when you’re flying in a space capsule specifically designed to return astronauts to Earth. “I remember very distinctly being over Australia,” says NASA Astronaut Matthew Dominick ’05 (BS/BA). “We were going 7,000 miles per hour, and then we did a deorbit burn to slow about 100 meters per second and dip our orbit enough so that the atmosphere does the rest of the work. So, 34 minutes from over Australia to subsonic speeds over the Gulf of Mexico to parachute deployment to splashdown. That’s pretty awesome.”

By Matthew Piechalak

Photos: Courtesy of NASA

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NASA SPACEX CREW-8

Dominick, commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission, returned home in late October after spending more than seven months in outer space. On March 2, 2024, he made history when he became the first University of San Diego alumnus to journey into outer space. Fellow Torero Jonny Kim ’12 (BA), flight engineer and crew member for the Expedition 73 mission, is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS). NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 — composed of Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin — was the eighth rotation mission with SpaceX to the ISS. During the mission, the crew performed research, technology demonstrations and maintenance activities. Dominick earned a dual BS/BA degree in electrical engineering from USD’s Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering. He was selected out of more than 18,300 candidates to join NASA as part of its 2017 astronaut candidate class of 12. The class also included Kim, who earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from USD. October 25, 2024. It’s predawn in Pensacola along Florida’s Panhandle and Crew-8 has just arrived safely back on Earth. Only minutes earlier, the SpaceX Dragon capsule made a splashdown in a very precise target area amid the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. NASA’s recovery crew, outfitted with jet skis, beeline for the capsule, rapidly attach cables and tow it to a waiting ship that carefully cranes the vessel onto its deck. Secured, the capsule’s hatch opens. Slowly, and with much support from the ground crew, Dominick exits and stands warily on solid ground for the first time in more than seven months. Finally, he is back home. It’s a dramatic conclusion to what felt like a long journey home — one that began days prior aboard the ISS, with meticulous packing, “LET’S SIT ON THE PATH”

precise checks, relentless rechecks and a unique cultural tradition to ensure the crew a safe flight home. “Imagine that you’ve been on vacation for eight months and now you have to pack everything — very specifically — and get into a small car and drive the long distance home,” says Dominick. The Dragon capsule has a center of mass and a center of lift, so it’s vital that the relationship is maintained upon reentry. The packing plan is precise, with every single item accounted for and properly secured. “You can imagine that if something comes loose inside the capsule during reentry, it would move the center of mass and now

that really critical component would be off and we may not be able to have correct guidance back to Earth,” Dominick explains. With the Dragon fully packed and ready for departure, the goodbyes begin. For Dominick, it’s a memorable moment full of anticipation. To tamp down the

A STUDENT OF THE ART FORM, DOMINICK MADE PHOTOGRAPHY CENTRAL TO HIS IDENTITY ABOARD THE ORBITING LABORATORY.

anxiousness of undocking, the crew participates in a Russian tradition called prisyadem na dorozhku , literally translated to “let’s sit on the path.” It’s intended as a moment of silence to prepare for a safe trip, and an action Dominick has since adopted when his own family prepares for a vacation. “Before you leave, you line up your suitcases and everyone sits on them, takes a deep breath, and thinks about whether maybe we forgot something,” says Dominick. “Once you close that hatch, there’s no going back — you’re going to undock from the space station and go home.”

AN AUTHENTIC AND INTERACTIVE RELATIONSHIP

It’s the year 2000, and Dominick, a first-year student at USD, is sitting at a desk in his residence hall working on an assignment for an introductory engineering course. The task? Develop and publish a website. “It sounds silly in 2025, but this was a quarter century ago — the internet was still relatively new,” he recalls. “I remember exactly what desk I was sitting in. I published the website and I had this

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Different astronauts have different hobbies, but everyone has something, he reiterated. To Dominick, every person should have something they are passionate about. “My advice to kids when they ask for advice is honestly, stop the endless scrolling on your phone. Go build something, make something, learn something.”

thought, ‘The barriers to publication have completely changed; the world is about to change’.” The reflection stems from a conversation about astrophotography, a niche type of the visual medium focused on capturing celestial objects, like stars, planets and galaxies. For many astronauts, it’s a skill taught by NASA to complete the task of documentation aboard the ISS. For Dominick, it’s so much more. A student of the art form, Dominick made photography central to his identity aboard the orbiting laboratory. According to NASA, he alone shot roughly 500,000 images throughout the seven months he was stationed on the ISS. Along with capturing breathtaking images of Earth, including active hurricanes and other powerful weather systems, the striking colors of the aurora borealis — among his favorites — and even a solar eclipse, Dominick was proactive in sharing both the photos and his creative process with the world through social media. “We live in an incredible time,” says Dominick. “Twenty-five years later and I’m on the space station now. I can take imagery, which is an incredible communication tool — and video — and not only can I share it with the world but I can also have a two-way conversation with folks on Earth.” His social posts often yielded interesting, real-time conversations among users, who ran the gamut from professional and amateur photographers to business accounts to individuals with a general interest in space travel. And Dominick was often involved, answering their questions regarding approach and camera settings to general inquiries asking if it was really him replying (he’d occasionally reply with a vague “yes” to those as a humorous form of entertainment for himself). “It created an authentic and interactive relationship with folks who could actually feel like they were there,” Dominick says. “A smart person once told me that interested people are interesting. So, if you’re talking and sharing about things that interest you, you’re going to be an interesting person to interact with and it’s going to be entertaining content.” But it wasn’t just his successes — Dominick was also sharing images and videos that didn’t necessarily hit the mark. “Another tidbit I picked up in some public engagement training,” he says, with a smile. “People don’t care about your successes; they care about your messes. I was sharing my mistakes, and it was generating authentic experiences with folks.” As fun and engaging as the image sharing and social interactions were for people on the ground, the process was also beneficial for Dominick’s mental health. Aboard the ISS for more than half a year, it’s vital to find a hobby, he says. For him, it was honing his photography chops. “Our physical and mental health are intertwined,” he says. “We work out every day, and for me, taking pictures was a huge part of maintaining my mental health. It was a good way to escape the day to-day work up there. A huge component of my mental health was taking a whole bunch of pictures and sharing them with the world to stay connected with humans on Earth.” MAINTAINING MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH ART

FRAGILITY, AMPLIFIED

Orbiting the Earth 16 times per day certainly has a unique way of heightening one’s perspective of humanity. “The fragility of our planet is amplified,” says Dominick. “Viewing Earth from the ISS, you realize how thin the atmosphere is and what little separation humans have from space and the fragility of our civilization.” Constantly viewing the Earth from above has inspired Dominick to travel to places he has never ventured. “We orbited over parts of the Earth that are absolutely inspirational,” he says. “Specifically, the western side of South America. The mountains down there look incredible.” Along with personal travel, Dominick continues to travel with NASA to promote the importance of space exploration and has since resumed his job developing new spacecraft technology. “My background is flight testing for the U.S. Navy, so you bring that skillset over. Once you have that experience flying in space, you now apply it. It’s a big contribution.”

SPACEX CREW-8 MISSION BY THE NUMBERS

235 days in space, the longest of any human SpaceX mission 100 M miles traveled 4.7 M images taken for Crew Earth Observations

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A TRAILBLAZING MOMENT

USD ALUMNUS JONNY KIM BECOMES FIRST KOREAN-AMERICAN ASTRONAUT TO TRAVEL INTO SPACE

Jonathan “Jonny” Kim ’12 (BA) made history in April as the first Korean-American astronaut to journey into space. Kim, currently stationed on the International Space Station (ISS), is serving as a flight engineer and crew member of NASA’s Expedition 73 mission. He launched on April 7 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky. “I’m incredibly honored to represent NASA in our continued commitment to international collaboration and scientific discovery,” Kim said. While aboard the orbiting laboratory, Kim will conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations to help prepare the crew for future space missions and provide benefits to people on Earth. NASA selected Kim as an astronaut in 2017. After completing the initial astronaut candidate training, Kim supported mission and crew operations in various roles including the Expedition 65 lead operations officer, T-38 operations liaison and space station capcom chief engineer. Kim, a Los Angeles native, earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from USD and a medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He is a United States Navy lieutenant commander and dual designated naval aviator and flight surgeon. “I learned so many skills from the military, but I learned soft skills from my time at USD,” Kim said in 2021. “I learned how to communicate and how to appreciate the scientific method, which can be applied to any problem in life. Having the evidence show you the answer and having the humility to accept that you might be wrong. Those are principles to academia, but they’re also principles to being a good human being.” As Kim prepared for this mission, he spoke about the oath all NASA astronauts swear to serve. “Our motto is that we fly in space for the betterment of humankind.”

”CURIOSITY IS A PREREQUISITE. YOU HAVE TO BE PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE LEARNING.”

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A story of adaptability, compassion and determination from the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science’s faculty and students during an unprecedented time. Confronting C VID

By Ben Peterson

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T he vision statement for the University of San Diego is both ambitious and straightforward: Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love . That shared commitment to confronting humanity’s challenges would take on new meaning in the early months of 2020. As the world faced an unprecedented global health crisis, USD’s Hahn school of nursing and Health Science found itself at a critical crossroads. With hospitals filling to capacity and health care workers facing unimaginable challenges, the demand for skilled nurses surged. While many nursing programs across the country paused operations, the school made the bold decision to remain operational, ensuring that its students could continue their education and join the front lines of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This commitment to education and service did not come without sacrifices. Faculty members worked tirelessly to adapt curricula to meet rapidly evolving state and county guidelines, all while providing unwavering support to students who were thrust into high-pressure clinical environments. Students, many of whom had only just begun their nursing journeys, found themselves navigating uncharted waters, balancing rigorous coursework with the emotional toll of providing care during a pandemic. Five years later, the impact of that decision is evident in the remarkable stories of the faculty members who led with resilience and the students who answered the call to serve. The school of nursing not only weathered the storm but also emerged stronger, shaping a new generation of nurse leaders whose experiences during the pandemic continue to influence their work today.

JANE GEORGES PhD, RN Dean

Jane Georges led the school of nursing through the COVID-19 pandemic with a commitment to adaptability, community service and student support. She oversaw the rapid transition to remote learning within days, ensured students maintained clinical placements and prioritized underserved populations through vaccine distribution. Georges’ leadership was rooted in a deep understanding of public health, ethical care and the importance of community engagement. ON ADAPTABILITY: “What I appreciated most about our faculty members was their flexibility and their unselfishness. Within three days, we had turned every in‑person course in the school into a remote course.” A MEMORY THAT ENDURES: “I will never forget attending the Scripps Mercy Ball in early March of 2020, hearing a physician describe a mysterious infection in Italy that turned lungs into ‘concrete bricks’ and realizing in that moment that our world was about to change drastically.” WORDS OF WISDOM: “Nurses are the ones who fill in the gaps in human suffering. It’s not just about individual care; it’s about making sure people have access to food, housing and vaccines, especially in times of crisis.” LOOKING FORWARD: “I would like to see a more diverse group of nurse leaders emerge, leaders who are more representative of all Americans. My hope — with our plans for new hybrid and remote programs — is that we continue to innovate in nursing education, offering accessible graduate programs to nurses across the state.”

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The LEADERS

KATHY MARSH RN, BSN, MSN, PhD Associate Dean

LYN PUHEK NP, APRN, CNS, PHN MEPN Program Coordinator

DAVID HAIGH MSN, RN Director of Simulation and Innovative Learning

Kathy Marsh ’86 (BSN), ’90 (MSN), ’14 (PhD), a triple USD alumna, played a critical role in leading the nursing school’s response to the pandemic. She managed the procurement of personal protective equipment secured vaccine access for the entire university and worked tirelessly to keep students in clinical settings. In addition to her role as point person for all Southern California nursing programs to the governor’s office, Marsh helped to ensure that USD’s nursing students continued their education uninterrupted. ON ADAPTABILITY: “We revised the curriculum eight times during the pandemic. Every day brought new challenges, and we constantly had to adjust. It was crisis management at its core — planning for scenarios that changed by the hour and making sure students were ready for whatever came next.” A MEMORY THAT ENDURES: “Securing vaccines for the university. We planned every detail, down to how many steps each person would take in the clinic to avoid contamination. Watching our students administer vaccines with such confidence was unforgettable.” LOOKING FORWARD: “I hope we continue to teach our students resilience and adaptability. The pandemic proved how vital nurses are, and my hope is that future nurses carry that pride and commitment into every aspect of their careers.”

Lyn Puhek led the school’s clinical education efforts during the pandemic with transparency, creativity and a strong commitment to student safety. She managed constant curriculum adjustments, maintained open communication through biweekly meetings with faculty and bimonthly meetings with students, and ensured that hands-on training continued through simulation labs when hospital access was limited. Her leadership helped keep students engaged, informed and prepared, despite the unprecedented challenges. ON ADAPTABILITY: “The only thing you can bet on is change. We had to be flexible — we went in to work, got the university and hospital updates, never knowing what our day would bring. During COVID, that flexibility meant revising the curriculum over and over and finding new ways to support students when everything was uncertain.” A MEMORY THAT ENDURES: “The parents of our graduates thanking us at the pinning ceremony, saying, ‘Thank you for not giving up on them.’ That meant everything to me.” LOOKING FORWARD: “I hope these nurses carry forward the lessons of resilience, teamwork and adaptability. We made it through this, and I know they’ll face future challenges with the same strength and compassion.”

David Haigh led the transformation of the Dickinson Nursing Simulation Center during the pandemic, ensuring that students could complete critical clinical hours despite restrictions. He oversaw a rapid overhaul of procedures — from managing smaller, rotating student cohorts to implementing rigorous cleaning protocols, all while maintaining the training program’s high standard of hands‑on training. ON ADAPTABILITY: “COVID changed everything. We had to rethink every simulation — how we set it up, ran it and tore it down. It taught us to be nimble and ready to change on short notice, and now we have a playbook for future challenges.” A MEMORY THAT ENDURES: “I’ll never forget those first few simulation events during the pandemic — behind the scenes, it was chaos, but we put on a calm face for the students. Their gratitude made all the stress worth it.”

LOOKING FORWARD: “I hope we continue to innovate with technology like virtual reality and AI, giving students more tools to learn anytime, anywhere, and preparing them even better for real-world care.”

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The LEARNERS

KRYSTAL NEAG RN, MSN Rapid Response Nurse, Scripps Memorial Hospital Clinical Instructor for the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science When Krystal Neag ’21 (MSN) was considering nursing schools, the warm welcome she received when she visited the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science for admissions interviews sealed the deal. That sense of belonging proved to be especially valuable when COVID arrived after her first semester. Neag leaned on her cohort to navigate virtual learning, reduced clinical hours and her role as a patient care assistant during the height of the crisis. Now, as a clinical instructor at her alma mater, she mentors new nursing students, bringing her pandemic experience full circle. ON ADAPTABILITY: “The COVID experience definitely helped me be a more adaptable nurse. I was put in situations where I had to learn very quickly, and I found that I had the resilience and perseverance to make it through.” A MEMORY THAT ENDURES: “We had a really good, close group of students. We would have meet-ups, and a lot of us ended up becoming PCAs during the time of COVID. We all wanted to seek out extra opportunities to help. I’m not sure how I would have done it without them, and I’m still friends with a lot of them today.” LOOKING FORWARD: “Coming back to teach has reminded me why I became a nurse. I hope to give as much to these new students as USD gave to me.”

DANE JENSEN RN, MSN ER Nurse at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla

ANN LAWANI PhD, MSN, RN Statewide ME-MSN Program Director, University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions / Clinical Nurse, John Muir Health Ann Lawani ’18 (MSN), ’22 (PhD) recalls that when her brother was succumbing to cardiomyopathy in 2014, she was thousands of miles away. The memories her mother shared afterward centered around the nurses who cared for him. It was then that Lawani knew what she wanted to be. After earning her MSN from the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science in 2018, she was recruited to join the PhD program by founding faculty member Dr. Patricia Roth. Today, Lawani uses her pandemic experiences to teach the next generation of nurses about adaptability, teamwork and compassionate care. ON ADAPTABILITY: “COVID taught me that you can’t cap what your best is. You learn something new every day, so your best today has to be better than your best was yesterday.” A MEMORY THAT ENDURES: “There were times we were so short-staffed, and everyone across the board was being utilized. But we all covered for each other, and I knew that we would find a way through.” LOOKING FORWARD: “The pandemic opened our eyes to inequities and disparities that exist in the health care system. My hope is that we can continue trying to fill those gaps and provide more equitable care.”

Dane Jensen ’20 (MSN) thought he might follow in his father’s footsteps and join the fire service, but nursing came calling loud and clear. During an undergraduate study abroad program in Australia, one of his classmates became ill and was hospitalized. Observing the nurses who cared for his friend sparked his interest in a new career path. Everything was going according to plan for the start of his MSN program, but his final year at the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science was marked by anxiety, uncertainty and a sink-or-swim reality when he graduated and joined the fight against the virus. ON ADAPTABILITY: “[My final year] definitely made me more resilient. And now, being in the ER, just being able to roll with the punches and kind of take things as they come, you do what you have to do.” A MEMORY THAT ENDURES: “I remember getting that email [from the nursing school] while we were in lockdown, and being pretty ecstatic that: one, we were going to graduate; and then two, we were going to be able to help during the crisis.” LOOKING FORWARD: “Nursing is a difficult job that is only getting more challenging with the current political climate and an aging population. New grads must be as prepared as possible for the challenges they will face upon entering the hospital for the first time.”

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MAI TRUONG RN, MSN Education and Professional Development Manager, Rady Children’s Hospital

RICHARD LEUNG RN, MSN Progressive Care Unit Nurse, John Muir Health

ERIN KEATING RN, CNL, PHN, MSN Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse, Advocate Children’s Hospital

Richard Leung ’22 (MSN) made the switch from tech recruiter to nursing student, partly inspired by his desire to care for his mother, who was chronically ill with lung disease. His interest in helping his family and others was further reinforced when COVID arrived. Although he was offered the opportunity to defer his enrollment, he felt even more motivated to complete his education as soon as possible to start helping his community. Leung now works in the Progressive Care Unit at John Muir Health, applying lessons he learned during the pandemic to better serve his patients. ON ADAPTABILITY: “The COVID experience taught me all about being flexible and being strong but also about letting go of control. When you start working, you realize that sometimes you just can’t be in control of things and you have to keep going.” A MEMORY THAT ENDURES: “When we started to give vaccines in San Diego, especially for very vulnerable communities. I will never forget that — being at the forefront of curbing the pandemic.” LOOKING FORWARD: “Nursing is growing and changing daily with new best practices, tools and roles. I’m confident that the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science will adapt to prepare students with the most up to-date learning experience. I’m excited for future graduates to join us in the workforce — we’ll need all the help we can get!”

Mai Truong ’21 (MSN) was positioned to take over a leadership role, and she was encouraged to pursue a Master of Science in nursing as part of the succession plan. With creative, flexible support offered by the nursing school, Truong completed her studies during the COVID-19 pandemic while raising her preteen daughter and two-year-old twin sons. Now overseeing education and professional development at Rady Children’s Hospital, Truong applies her pandemic experiences to improve patient care, staff support and operational efficiency. ON ADAPTABILITY: “Balancing work, school and my kids during a pandemic taught me that flexibility and perseverance are key. I had to study in hospital rooms, at friends’ houses late at night — anywhere I could find peace.” A MEMORY THAT ENDURES: “I’ll never forget sitting in an empty library on campus during lockdown, wiping down every surface with Clorox before and after studying, just grateful for a quiet space to focus.” LOOKING FORWARD: “I manage education at Rady Children’s, and we’re changing how we work with new nurses who graduated after COVID. They missed out on so much. We’re putting them through our own rigorous training to make sure they have the clinical skills and soft skills needed to care for patients going forward.”

Erin Keating ’23 (MSN) worked in global health for several years, completing fellowships in East Africa — one in a rural health organization and one at a large, urban surgical center. Both experiences showed her that nurses are the backbone of health systems, inspiring her to pursue the profession. At USD, she emerged as a leader and was elected president of the Graduate Nursing Student Association. Now a NICU nurse in Chicago, Keating credits USD for fostering adaptability and collaboration. ON ADAPTABILITY: “Students think that learning pathophysiology, pharmacology and clinical skills are the things we need to take out of nursing school. Those things matter, but being able to go with the flow is what will help you be most successful.” A MEMORY THAT ENDURES: “Our pinning ceremony at Founders Chapel was the best day. We had a wonderful Mass, and then a nice reception where classmates gave speeches, met each other’s families and celebrated the accomplishment of graduation.” LOOKING FORWARD: “I still talk to friends from nursing school every few days. It’s important to have that network of students, where you can study together, learn together, cry together and support each other — even into your professional careers. I will continue relying on those relationships.”

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In reflecting on how the school of nursing navigated its pandemic journey, one thing becomes clear: resilience, adaptability and compassion defined every step. The stories of both the leaders who guided the program and the learners who stepped up in unprecedented times serve as powerful reminders of what it takes to be a nurse. How the school of nursing responded during the pandemic was not just about meeting the moment, it was also about setting a standard for the future and a powerful example of how USD lives its vision to confront humanity’s challenges. The Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science DURING THE PANDEMIC

8 Curriculum adjustments to adapt to evolving health care challenges

3 On-campus vaccination events to support public health efforts

101 In-house N95 respirator fit tests conducted to ensure safety and compliance

1 , 219 degrees awarded from May 2020 to December 2022

2 special commencement ceremonies held in 2021, including a dedicated celebration for the Class of 2020

“Nursing is about solving problems under pressure. We had to find creative solutions every day, and that mindset is what every nurse needs to thrive.” — David Haigh

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AT THE EDGE OF IT ALL

Toreros Unite to Grow Opportunities for Positive Dialogue

“ We are giving USD students the opportunity to share opinions. But, in order to express those opinions, you have to do it in a way that’s going to cultivate a positive environment here.” — Leilani Youmans WHAT POSITIVE CIVIL DISCOURSE CAN LOOK LIKE ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students Nicole Whitner, EdD and Leilani Youmans, a civil discourse ambassador (pictured above) joined the At the Edge of It All podcast to talk about the importance of civility and how to approach difficult conversations, especially on a college campus and among young adults. Assistant Vice President for Student Life Byron Howlett, EdD, was also instrumental in the development of the initiative.

Toreros Together for the Common Good was a campuswide initiative that asked all University of San Diego stakeholders to come together in the spirit of civil discourse and constructive dialogue. Throughout Fall 2024, the university engaged the community in various programming opportunities centered around the important democratic and civic processes involved in an election year. Key to the initiative was a group of roughly two dozen dedicated USD students who served as trained, civil discourse ambassadors. “This initiative has been exciting for me because I got to geek out about global and local politics while also growing relationships with my peers of different perspectives and values,” said Leilani Youmans, a second-year international relations student who chose to become an ambassador to engage with her community and challenge herself to develop better communication and listening skills. The response to the initiative was overwhelmingly positive, especially from a student perspective, Youmans believes. “I’m thankful that we have such an open minded and eager community on campus that wants to work together to make a more loving and respectful world. I’ve learned

so much about what my peers are passionate about and their insights from our conversations have given me hope for what our generation will accomplish in the future.” Programming included tabling events on voter education, lectures and discussion circles both before and after the November election. There were also a number of special events, such as Civility Cafés, which

At the Edge of It All is a University of San Diego podcast where USD experts speak on topics and stories that impact you and the broader community.

showcased campus experts speaking on various topics related to civil discourse.

Download episodes wherever you get your podcasts or visit sandiego.edu/at-the-edge .

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FAITH IN ACTION

The Gift of Guidance In Walk to Emmaus, a popular post-resurrection account within the Gospel of Luke, Jesus appears before two disciples as an unknown traveler and patiently guides them in their faith. For Jessica Hooper ’03 (BA), the story truly signifies what faith in action means.

Photos: Adam Richins Photography

Hooper is the head of school at Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Boston and has spent her entire professional career working in Catholic education. She began her journey as a middle school teacher, first at St. Therese Academy and then Stella Maris Academy. Next, she became assistant head of school at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace and then president of Nativity Prep Academy, the only tuition-free independent school in Southern California focused on supporting first-generation students from low-income families. Through the Torero Promise at the University of San Diego, sixth graders at Nativity Prep — who may be academically behind their grade level — commit to additional instruction and summer coursework to prepare for high school and for future success in college. In return, the school supports these students financially and through teaching and mentorship for the 11 years between middle school and college graduation. The program, which has currently seen two cohorts graduate from USD, is a powerful example of putting one’s faith in action, said Hooper. “You take the hand of a sixth grader, and you don’t let

go until they graduate from college. There is something incredibly meaningful for me to see that journey. It’s why I became an educator and why I remain an educator.” Hooper, whose father was an academic, moved several times as a young child. She attended middle and high school in Bend, Oregon, before coming to USD, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in humanities with an emphasis in theology and religious studies. “I grew up in a family where faith was of high value and a core identity, so being at a Catholic university was my top priority,” she said. “When I came to visit USD, there it stood in all its glory on the hill, with the Pacific Ocean. But I also liked that it was a small campus. I felt a sense of community, even as a prospective student.” The move from a small Pacific Northwest town to San Diego was not without its growing pains, Hooper said. What made the difference was finding her community by embracing opportunities, especially volunteering and working within University Ministry. “For me, the faith element had already been important in my life, so it was a natural place where I could go find a smaller community in a bigger system and feel like I could be myself. It was such a

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