People of HNU
We’re part of this place. And this place is part of us.
Who we are
Close-knit. Open-minded.
We're closely connected individuals who know each other's names and have each other's backs. We—students, faculty, staff, alumni—proudly come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds, perspectives, and stories to share.

Shaylah
Inspired to Educate
Shaylah Ellis ‘19, an English major, lives by Gandhi’s words, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Learn More

Adamaka
Building Self-Esteem through STEM
Adamaka Ajaelo, MBA ’10 has learned to solve many life challenges by approaching them like she would a math problem: persistently and step-by-step.
Learn More

Maria
Called to Heal: One Alumna’s Tale of Resilience and Renewal
Maria Mendoza-Sanchez ’13 was in the public spotlight after being deported to Mexico, leaving behind her three children, home, and successful career.
Learn More

Aiden
Hawk drafted by the Oakland A’s
Making HNU Athletics history, Aiden McIntyre ’18 is the first player drafted by a Major League Baseball team.
Learn More

Kim
Meet our new Dean
Last July, Holy Names University welcomed Dr. Kim Bowers as the new Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Bowers brings a wealth of experience along with great enthusiasm for academic collaboration to campus.
Learn More

Leo
A True Hawk
A Hawk through and through, Leo Gonzalez ’13, MBA ’16 is known on campus for his genuine smile and contagious energy.
Learn More

Alan
Chronic Pain Crusader
Less than a month after graduating with his Doctor of Chiropractic degree, Alan Bertolero ’15 spontaneously moved to the Dominican Republic to work as a volunteer.
Learn More

Denise
Wellness Warrior
Denise Aaron ’01 is passionate about women's health. She started a community organization to get Oakland women talking openly—and taking action—on health challenges that disproportionately trouble women of color.
Learn More

Luis
35 Years at Holy Names
Luis Guerra ’02, MBA ’04 doesn’t like to speak about his many accomplishments, except to thank those that made them possible.
Learn More

Nobel
The Long Way Home to HNU
For Nobel Hadgu '18, 26, life began at the tail end of a civil war whose effects would disrupt his education and force his family to scatter across a continent by the time he was 10.
Learn More

Tiana
A Tech Tonic
Tiana Davis Kara '06 empowers girls to pursue technology careers as executive director for #BUILTBYGIRLS.
Learn More

Tofik
Immigrant Advocate
Tofik Mohamed '20, a first-generation Muslim immigrant from Eritrea, wants to help other immigrants that are trying to make a better life.
Learn More

Melody
Committed to Social Justice
Melody Hudson, MBA ‘12, founded The Equal Balance Movement to fight for equal pay for women.
Learn More

Ray
Continuing a family tradition at Holy Names
Ray Mangrobrang, a freshman in the pre-nursing program, is a third-generation Hawk.
Learn More

Father Salvatore
Ministering in the 21st Century
Father Salvatore Ragusa, SDS, co-director of campus ministry and chaplain for the University, fosters a sense of community at HNU through storytelling, meal sharing, and service opportunities.
Learn More

Jahan
A Champion from Turkmenistan
Jahan Bayramova is a star tennis player and passionate about coaching children.
Learn More

Lillian
SNJM Scholarship Recipient
Lillian Le is a recipient of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) Scholarship and working on fulfilling a family dream.
Learn More

Will
Taking a Different Path
When Will Newsome's promising basketball career was derailed by a serious heart condition, he became determined to start over and make a name for himself at HNU.
Learn More

Arturo
Author, Lopez-Levy
Dr. Lopez-Levy, a faculty member at Holy Names, is a political scientist who specializes in international politics, comparative politics, and economic development.
Learn More

Dianne
Commited to Public Service
Dianne Dobbs '96, MBA '98 is driven to make a strong impact through public service and advocacy.
Learn More

Steven
A True Servant-Leader
Steve Borg '86 is the chairperson of the board for Holy Names University. A true servant-leader, Steve has over 30 years of leadership experience in the financial service industry.
Learn More

James
A passionate advocate
After transferring to HNU, James (Cogley) Viramontez ‘17 received his bachelor’s in sociology and is now working as a case manager at St. Mary’s Center in Oakland.
Learn More

Janine
Building Bridges in Oakland with Basketball
Janine Jackson's, MA '17 personal and academic journey that made her all the more resilient and certain of her life’s purpose: to give back and help the Oakland community.
Learn More

Katerine
Katerine Carmona Arbelaez, MM ’20 brings music to Oakland schools
“Music makes a difference. It changes people. It gives us a voice and a community,” says Katerine Carmona Arbelaez, MM ’20. As a student in the graduate music program at HNU, she's bringing her passion to Oakland schools.
Learn More

Leila
Lifting up Oakland's Next Generation
Leila Abu-hijleh '08, MA '15 believes that helping Oakland youth rise up and reach their potential is her life’s calling.
Learn More

Letteria
Advocate and Therapist
The odds of Letteria Fletcher '06, MA '08 graduating from college were not stacked in her favor. Today, Fletcher helps homeless youth transition out of the foster care system.
Learn More

Muryam
The New Face of Science
Muryam Gourdet ‘14 is determined to change the face of science—and through her actions as a mentor and role model, researcher and academic, she is doing just that.
Learn More

Sister Mary
On a mission of recovery and compassion
Sr. Mary’s mission—helping individuals recover from addiction—has led to a decades-long career working in recovery programs in Oakland and San Francisco.
Learn More

Martin
Teaching with Humor and Joy
For the past 30 years, Dr. Martin Lampert has served the students of Holy Names as a committed professor and mentor.
Learn More

Precious
Fired up to teach for Oakland
2019 Oakland Teach of the Year, Precious James '12, believes that every child deserves a teacher that will go above and beyond for them—and she does.
Learn More

Dr. Pam
Wants You to Succeed
Last Spring, Dr. Stanley opened her home to HNU nursing
students working in high-risk healthcare settings
who were worried about exposing their vulnerable
family members to COVID-19.
Learn More

Diamond
Breaking New Ground
A business management and marketing major and
budding entrepreneur, Diamond Allen is breaking
generational cycles.
Learn More

Sister Rosemary
Educator and Advocate
Rosemary Everett, SNJM ‘65 has lived a life committed to empowering students, working for social justice, and promoting the SNJM Core Values. She was the recipient of Holy Names University’s 2020 Alumni Recognition Award.
Learn More

Shaylah
Inspired to Educate
Shaylah Ellis ‘19, an English major, lives by Gandhi’s words, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Learn More

Adamaka
Building Self-Esteem through STEM
Adamaka Ajaelo, MBA ’10 has learned to solve many life challenges by approaching them like she would a math problem: persistently and step-by-step.
Learn More

Maria
Called to Heal: One Alumna’s Tale of Resilience and Renewal
Maria Mendoza-Sanchez ’13 was in the public spotlight after being deported to Mexico, leaving behind her three children, home, and successful career.
Learn More

Aiden
Hawk drafted by the Oakland A’s
Making HNU Athletics history, Aiden McIntyre ’18 is the first player drafted by a Major League Baseball team.
Learn More

Kim
Meet our new Dean
Last July, Holy Names University welcomed Dr. Kim Bowers as the new Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Bowers brings a wealth of experience along with great enthusiasm for academic collaboration to campus.
Learn More

Leo
A True Hawk
A Hawk through and through, Leo Gonzalez ’13, MBA ’16 is known on campus for his genuine smile and contagious energy.
Learn More

Alan
Chronic Pain Crusader
Less than a month after graduating with his Doctor of Chiropractic degree, Alan Bertolero ’15 spontaneously moved to the Dominican Republic to work as a volunteer.
Learn More

Denise
Wellness Warrior
Denise Aaron ’01 is passionate about women's health. She started a community organization to get Oakland women talking openly—and taking action—on health challenges that disproportionately trouble women of color.
Learn More

Luis
35 Years at Holy Names
Luis Guerra ’02, MBA ’04 doesn’t like to speak about his many accomplishments, except to thank those that made them possible.
Learn More

Nobel
The Long Way Home to HNU
For Nobel Hadgu '18, 26, life began at the tail end of a civil war whose effects would disrupt his education and force his family to scatter across a continent by the time he was 10.
Learn More

Tiana
A Tech Tonic
Tiana Davis Kara '06 empowers girls to pursue technology careers as executive director for #BUILTBYGIRLS.
Learn More

Tofik
Immigrant Advocate
Tofik Mohamed '20, a first-generation Muslim immigrant from Eritrea, wants to help other immigrants that are trying to make a better life.
Learn More

Melody
Committed to Social Justice
Melody Hudson, MBA ‘12, founded The Equal Balance Movement to fight for equal pay for women.
Learn More

Ray
Continuing a family tradition at Holy Names
Ray Mangrobrang, a freshman in the pre-nursing program, is a third-generation Hawk.
Learn More

Father Salvatore
Ministering in the 21st Century
Father Salvatore Ragusa, SDS, co-director of campus ministry and chaplain for the University, fosters a sense of community at HNU through storytelling, meal sharing, and service opportunities.
Learn More

Jahan
A Champion from Turkmenistan
Jahan Bayramova is a star tennis player and passionate about coaching children.
Learn More

Lillian
SNJM Scholarship Recipient
Lillian Le is a recipient of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) Scholarship and working on fulfilling a family dream.
Learn More

Will
Taking a Different Path
When Will Newsome's promising basketball career was derailed by a serious heart condition, he became determined to start over and make a name for himself at HNU.
Learn More

Arturo
Author, Lopez-Levy
Dr. Lopez-Levy, a faculty member at Holy Names, is a political scientist who specializes in international politics, comparative politics, and economic development.
Learn More

Dianne
Commited to Public Service
Dianne Dobbs '96, MBA '98 is driven to make a strong impact through public service and advocacy.
Learn More

Steven
A True Servant-Leader
Steve Borg '86 is the chairperson of the board for Holy Names University. A true servant-leader, Steve has over 30 years of leadership experience in the financial service industry.
Learn More

James
A passionate advocate
After transferring to HNU, James (Cogley) Viramontez ‘17 received his bachelor’s in sociology and is now working as a case manager at St. Mary’s Center in Oakland.
Learn More

Janine
Building Bridges in Oakland with Basketball
Janine Jackson's, MA '17 personal and academic journey that made her all the more resilient and certain of her life’s purpose: to give back and help the Oakland community.
Learn More

Katerine
Katerine Carmona Arbelaez, MM ’20 brings music to Oakland schools
“Music makes a difference. It changes people. It gives us a voice and a community,” says Katerine Carmona Arbelaez, MM ’20. As a student in the graduate music program at HNU, she's bringing her passion to Oakland schools.
Learn More

Leila
Lifting up Oakland's Next Generation
Leila Abu-hijleh '08, MA '15 believes that helping Oakland youth rise up and reach their potential is her life’s calling.
Learn More

Letteria
Advocate and Therapist
The odds of Letteria Fletcher '06, MA '08 graduating from college were not stacked in her favor. Today, Fletcher helps homeless youth transition out of the foster care system.
Learn More

Muryam
The New Face of Science
Muryam Gourdet ‘14 is determined to change the face of science—and through her actions as a mentor and role model, researcher and academic, she is doing just that.
Learn More

Sister Mary
On a mission of recovery and compassion
Sr. Mary’s mission—helping individuals recover from addiction—has led to a decades-long career working in recovery programs in Oakland and San Francisco.
Learn More

Martin
Teaching with Humor and Joy
For the past 30 years, Dr. Martin Lampert has served the students of Holy Names as a committed professor and mentor.
Learn More

Precious
Fired up to teach for Oakland
2019 Oakland Teach of the Year, Precious James '12, believes that every child deserves a teacher that will go above and beyond for them—and she does.
Learn More

Dr. Pam
Wants You to Succeed
Last Spring, Dr. Stanley opened her home to HNU nursing
students working in high-risk healthcare settings
who were worried about exposing their vulnerable
family members to COVID-19.
Learn More

Diamond
Breaking New Ground
A business management and marketing major and
budding entrepreneur, Diamond Allen is breaking
generational cycles.
Learn More

Sister Rosemary
Educator and Advocate
Rosemary Everett, SNJM ‘65 has lived a life committed to empowering students, working for social justice, and promoting the SNJM Core Values. She was the recipient of Holy Names University’s 2020 Alumni Recognition Award.
Learn More