Ms. Altman is a missioner for Maryknoll Lay Missioners. Currently she is based in El Salvador.
How did La Roche prepare you for your role as a missioner?
At La Roche I was part of Campus Ministry and Community Service. During my sophomore year, I attended an Alternative Spring Break in Appalachia to an area that had suffered some flooding. We cleaned houses, cleared away debris and garbage, and got to know the people.
I had always participated in service projects for a few hours at a time, but being in service of others for a whole week and working side-by-side with the people made me realize how much I wanted to not just work with the marginalized, but I wanted to live in solidarity with the poor. La Roche gave me an opportunity to try something new and get out of my comfort zone.
How did extracurricular activities enhance your college experience?
In addition to Campus Ministry and Community Service, I was very involved in Student Government and College Activities while at La Roche. Being a part of all of those clubs helped to strengthen my leadership skills and define my values. They were crucial in my growth as a young adult. I learned so much about myself by being part of these activities.
How did a degree from La Roche help you advance your career?
Since my degree was communication design, I was able to take classes in communication as well as graphic design and art.
Why did you choose La Roche?
My guidance counselor recommended La Roche to me when I was in high school. I was looking for a small Catholic college, close to my parents' house.
Why would you recommend La Roche to a prospective student?
Because La Roche is a small school, I was able to take advantage of the small class sizes, I got to know my professors and I was very involved in extracurricular activities. There was plenty to do inside and outside the classroom.
What impact did La Roche have on you as a person?
While at La Roche I had the opportunity to get to know students from around the world through the international student program. Getting to know students from around the world opened my eyes to different religions, philosophies and cultures.
Are you involved in any volunteer service projects now?
After I graduated from La Roche, I joined the Lasallian Volunteer program and worked with inner-city high school students at Bishop Loughlin MHS in Brooklyn, N.Y. I was a full-time volunteer for two years.
After my volunteer commitment was finished, I was offered a job at Loughlin. I organized the day and weekend retreat program as well as community service projects and social justice programs for nearly 800 students. I worked at Loughlin until I left to join Maryknoll Lay Missioners last fall.
What are you most proud of when you look back on your La Roche experience?
Last year my husband, children and I moved to El Salvador to live and work in rural El Salvador with Maryknoll Lay Missioners. It has been a wonderful opportunity for our whole family.
I never thought much about moving outside of the U.S. until I went to La Roche. Being a part of an international student body gave me an opportunity to look at the world with a different perspective. I am proud to be an alumna of a college that emphasizes service and diversity. I learned so much about that world while I was at La Roche.
What advice do you have for our students?
I would encourage graduates to consider a full-time volunteer program. There are many across the country and the world. Many of the domestic full-time service programs (AmeriCorps) help with student loans, offer support like housing and give you a chance to move to a new city. The professional development that you will learn will build your resume as well.
You only live once. Why not take the leap of faith and try something totally new, like moving to a foreign country, learning a new language? I have learned the most when I have stepped out of my comfort zone and tried something new.
What is your favorite memory of being a La Roche student?
There are so many – from orientation, basketball games and movie nights, to the root beer bash, blizzard beach bash, the ethics bowl, midnight madness, convocation, Campus Ministry retreats, dances and LAF.
Please describe an experience with a faculty or staff member who made a strong, positive impact on you.
Colleen Ruefle has always been a role model to me. I remember when I was her work-study in College Activities during my freshman year.
I watched her delegate tasks and work with students with such care and joy. No matter what was on her to-do list (which was always long), she always had time for her students.
When I began my job in Brooklyn, I knew I wanted to have the same type of healthy working atmosphere as Colleen created in the University Activities office and later the dean’s office.