Name: Mary Petito
Field of Study: Politics (English minor)
Status: Undergraduate student
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: North Bergen, New Jersey
Why did you choose Catholic University? I knew I wanted to attend Catholic University from the moment I stepped onto campus. I loved the feeling of home and community, as well as the fact that Catholic is in the center of one of the most influential cities in the nation.
"I knew I wanted to attend Catholic University from the moment I stepped onto campus."
What activities have you been involved with? I have been a part of Redline A Cappella since my freshman year. I have also been part of Orientation and have had the honor of being one of the team captains for Orientation 2021.
How has CatholicU's D.C. location contributed to your student experience? Having Catholic in the center of D.C. has made my student experience exciting, and has helped me find different internship and work opportunities, as well as to make connections with influential leaders in the field of politics.
Favorite course? One of my favorite courses that I have taken thus far at Catholic University has been POL 220: Introduction to Law and Politics. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about how the field of law is so closely intertwined with politics, as well as the foundation of our legal system.
Is there a faculty or staff member who has made a significant impact on you? One faculty member who has made a significant impact on my time here at Catholic University thus far was my English LC teacher, Ms. Monica Schroeder. Her class challenged me and was a class I always looked forward to going to. She took the time to meet with me during office hours to strengthen my writing skills, as well as took the time to get to know me not as a student but as a person.
What are your goals for the future? I plan to become a child advocacy and family law attorney.
What do you like most about Catholic University? I love the feeling of being at home at Catholic. I remember moving into my residence hall as a first-year student and Orientation Advisors saying to me, "Welcome home." It was then that I knew I loved the feeling of community. Everyday, I love that I am always being challenged, both academically but also challenged to grow as a person.
Proudest accomplishment: I am most proud to have become a team captain for Orientation 2021! It has given me the chance to grow in leadership, certain skills, and within the Orientation program!
What Catholic University means to you: As part of my first year Orientation experience, I remember Playfair and what a fun activity it was! I remember how excited I was, dancing, singing, and meeting people that have been a significant part of my experience at Catholic thus far! It was during this experience that I felt more like myself. I felt that I could truly embody who I was. This is what CatholicU means to me — it is a place where I have been able to truly embody who I am, and a place where that signifies growth.
