Fr. Ramon Dominguez, Y.A.
Chaplain
Hometown:
Why are you working in campus ministry?I love working in campus ministry because it is always exciting to see young people fired up about God and maturing more in their faith life.
What do you do in your free time?In my free time (when it can be found) I enjoy movies and reading on engineering topics.
Dream job when you were six? My dream job when I was six was probably to become an engineer (which I did do). (I was at VT in my first two years, then I transferred back to my home state and graduated from UMaryland, College Park with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Favorite saint? My favorite saint is St. John Bosco.
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Chris Hitzelberger
Director
Hometown: Columbia, Maryland was home during Middle School and High School. I have also lived in Indiana, Ohio and Alabama.
Why do you work for Campus Ministry? It is where I feel God has called me to use my gifts and talents. Still crazy that they pay me to encourage young people to know and love Jesus.
What do you do in your free time? Spending time with my wife and five kids. I like hiking, grilling, playing complex board games, and building things. Also, I make a mean chocolate chip cookie.
Dream job when you were little? Garbage man, when I was younger. Riding on the outside of the truck seemed amazing.
Something on your playlist? Sing with all the Saints in Glory!
Favorite saint? Top 10: John Bosco, Augustine, Vincent Ferrer, Moses the Black, Ignatius of Loyola, Solanus Casey, Monica, Jude, Philip Neri, and Mary!
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Melissa Philen
Director of Development
Hometown: I grew up in Franklin, a small main-street and river-town in Western Pennsylvania. I have lived in Blacksburg for quite some time, but still love Pennsylvania.
Why do you work for Campus Ministry? To open doors and windows and shine His Light into darkness and pierce silence with His Word.
What do you like to do with your family? I love experiencing our natural environment, especially while hiking or camping. I also really enjoy being near the water: enjoying streams, rivers, lakes, and even the beautiful oceans
Dream job when you were little? Dancer on ‘Solid Gold’.
Something on your playlist? Dave Matthews, ‘Sister’.
Favorite saint? Our Blessed Mother Mary.
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Kathryn Schneider
Finance Manager
businessmanagerccmvt@gmail.com
Hometown: I grew up all around Prince William County in Northern Virginia but mostly Bristow, which is a suburban community outside of Manassas.
Why do you work for Campus Ministry? I was blessed to be a part of the campus ministry during my time as a student, and I’ve wanted to work for the Catholic Church for some time now; working here allowed me to do that while giving back to the community that gave me so much.
What do you do in your free time? I fill my free time with anything that sounds fun in the moment, whether it be baking, reading, playing with my dogs, watching TikToks, singing, or even learning K-pop dances.
Dream job when you were little? The answer changed every day, but my mom still keeps a drawing I did for school when I was little in which I said I wanted to be a dancing nun.
Something on your playlist? Through the Dark by One Direction.
Favorite saint? My favorite saint is my confirmation saint, St. Cecilia. At first, it was because she’s the patron saint of music, but as I got older, I recognized her desire to be a martyr as such a strong and beautiful testament of her faith.
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Victoria Garcia
Campus Ministry Intern
Hometown: I grew up in Manassas, Virginia.
Why do you work for Campus Ministry? I’ve always felt a strong desire to serve young people. Working here has allowed me to encourage college students in Jesus’ Mission and help behind the scenes in all ministry related things.
What do you do in your free time? I love going on long car rides to no particular destination with my dad. I also really enjoy going to mass with my mom and sharing memes with my two brothers.
Dream job when you were little? A firefighter
Something on your playlist? Taking Me Back by LANY.
Favorite saint? Its hard to pick just one! The two that have made the biggest impact on my life are St. John Paul II and St. Catherine of Siena.
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Makayla Puzio
Office Assistant
Hometown: I grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Why do you work for Campus Ministry at Virginia Tech? The CCM has a very special place in my heart. I loved my time spent at Newman as a student and I am so happy working at a place where I can serve others and the Lord!
What do you like to do in your free time? I am either spending time with my daughter Lucy, playing board games with my husband or planning our next road-trip.
When you were little, what was your dream job? My dream job when I was little was to be a mom and a teacher – and I’ve already been able to do both of those things!
Something on your playlist? Starjumper by Bad Suns
Favorite saint? My favorite saints are St. Bernadette and St. Lucy. I learned about them when I was in elementary school and I was so inspired that someone my age could become a saint. I have also grown to love the Women Youth Apostle patron saints, especially St. Therese of the Child Jesus.