Maggi Van Dorn ’08 is committed to bettering her community. At the University, she found a path that fosters her intellectual and spiritual growth as well.

With her degree in religious studies, Van Dorn plans to pursue social work. Real-world experience she gained working as an undergraduate research assistant for Religious Studies Assistant Professor Thomas Beaudoin helped point her in this direction. As an undergraduate, Van Dorn interned for a summer at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, attended a two-week seminar at Boston College, and participated in several scholarly conferences. She also interned at a San Jose homeless shelter through SCU’s Arrupe Center for Community-based Learning.

A recent graduate, Van Dorn is currently writing a book, with two other Santa Clara alumnae, on the spiritual and theological perspectives of young, Catholic women: “We wanted to extend a conversation found among friends at Santa Clara to young Catholic women everywhere.”

She has found her education here has opened up many avenues. “Santa Clara has been like an incubator that has allowed so many seedlings of knowledge, faith, and personal growth to take shape,” Van Dorn says. “It is a nurturing environment that constantly challenges us to use our gifts and passions for the good of others.”