Senior Profile: Valerie Galderisi

What is your major and minor? 

Major: English and American Sign Language and Minor in Secondary Education. I am also apart of Kappa Delta Pi and Sigma Tau Delta

What are some of the jobs you held while at McDaniel?

SASS worker and First Look Facilitator for the Library

What organizations were you a part of at McDaniel? What positions did you hold?

Phi Mu and ASL Club. I was the Director of Harm Reduction and Prevention, Honor Committee Chairwoman, Academic Chairwoman, and ASL Club President.

Have you enjoyed your time at McDaniel? If so, what did you enjoy the most?

I have enjoyed my time at McDaniel and some of my most favorite memories is with my sorority sisters on the Hill. Some of my other favorite memories is any homecoming game because football was a very important part of my high school life and I could not imagine going to college without it. I also thought it was very cool that we had a bowl stadium.

Who do you think was/is your best mentor?

Dr. Paul Zajac

Describe your favorite memory at McDaniel.

My favorite memories at this school has to do with the weather. I always thought it was so much fun my friends and I trying to run out of the rain up the Hill to get into the dorm buildings or learning that tornadoes is a thing because where I live, they are not often. It was always an adventure to try an go to the schools golf field and sled down the hill.

What are some of the challenges you encountered and how did you overcome them?

Some challenges I had with the school was scheduling classes with my majors and minor but i was able to overcome them with the help of my professors because they were so understanding an wanted us to achieve the best education we can.

What are your plans for after graduation?

After graduation my goal is to try and enter McDaniel’s Deaf Education Master’s Program while substitute teaching. And maybe, just maybe go to school for my Doctorate.

What would you tell yourself as a first-year student at McDaniel?

Go out and enjoy the Hill while you can because you time is shorter than you think.

Where do you see the world in 10 years?

I can see myself in one of three places. I can see myself in a classroom teaching student with my love of English and hoping that they share the same. I can see myself in an editorial room trying to publish a book. I can also see myself still learning and in school trying to achieve my doctorate in mythology and folklore. All of these possibilities are things that I can do, and I now know this with my time here on the Hill. (or if all else fails you can find me backpacking in Europe traveling to my hearts content)

How do you reflect on your senior year during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic?

I am glad that I can come back in the fall to enjoy everyone for one last semester because I never would have thought that Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 would be that last time I experienced my favorite moments on the Hill. I am grateful for what I still have but it is definitely a bitter sweet moment.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the McDaniel community?

Just…Thank you, for everything <3 lmL