MORE ABOUT ILANA
Graduation Date: June 2008
Hometown: Deerfield, Illinois
High School: Deerfield High School
Awards & Achievements:
- Dean's List
Campus Involvement:
- DePaul Hillel
- Student Government Association (SGA)
- School of Education Dean’s Advisory Council
- University Judicial Board
- Senator of the Education Department
- Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority
Current Employment:
- Am Shalom Synagogue in Glencoe, Illinois
Ilana Dorfman
Area of Study:Early Childhood Education
I chose my major because... all my life I have enjoyed being around children. As a young child I had a number of teachers who changed my life and I want to do the same. I feel that education is one of the most important things in the world. I feel that without education, people cannot do well in life and that is why I want to be a teacher and help others get the educations they deserve.
I decided to attend DePaul because... when I was looking into schools, I wanted them to be somewhat close to Chicago because my family lives in the Chicago suburbs. I really liked DePaul University, but I was not sure because it is a Catholic school and I am Jewish. One of my friends talked to me about DePaul Hillel. DePaul Hillel is the Jewish organization on campus that provides services and opportunities for Jewish students. After I heard about it, I felt more comfortable with my choice to attend DePaul. I went to visit and I found out that this school is very diverse. When I came to DePaul Hillel I fell in love with the school and the program. They invited me with open arms and I felt like I belonged. That day changed my life because DePaul University has changed my life in so many positive ways. I do not think any other school could do the same for me. I have been an active Hillel member since that day and it made me feel as if I belong at DePaul.
The learning environment here at DePaul is... very comfortable. Everyone tries to make the environment as relaxed for students as possible. One of the most stressful times in school is during midterms and finals. DePaul is well aware of this and provides food and massages free of charge for all students. The teachers are also very helpful to the students. Their office hours are always open to anyone to talk, even if it has nothing to do with the subject they are teaching.
My favorite professor at DePaul is... I have three teachers who have impacted my life in positive and memorable ways. All three teachers are from DePaul University: Alice Moss, Tricia Fitzgerald and Mojdeh Bayat. These three individuals changed my life forever, I will never forget them. If I have to choose one of them, I would say Tricia Fitzgerald influenced my life the most. She showed me the road to my life and opened my eyes to the future. I honestly feel like the luckiest person because I have met such wonderful people at DePaul. Today, I am on my way to graduating, but I'm sad at the same time because I will not see these professors regularly. Every week I find myself wanting go to class and learn more. The professors make the classes so interesting that I do not want to leave. I know after graduation I am going to go back and visit my professors. As a student, I do not really feel like they are my teachers because I look at them as colleagues and friends. I know I can always come to their offices and talk about anything and they will listen and try to help.
My favorite thing to do off campus is... off-campus, I usually go downtown... I do a lot like going to comedy shows and movies, and going to restaurants with friends.
One thing I didn’t know about DePaul before coming was... before I visited DePaul, I did not know about Jewish life on campus. DePaul Hillel made me feel more welcome at DePaul and even today, I go there when I want to feel close to home. In Hillel, there are Shabbat services every first and third Friday of the month. When I go to Shabbat services I feel very close to my religion and I am proud DePaul supports diverse religious life on campus.
Here, the diversity of students, faculty and staff... There is a great presence of diversity at DePaul University. I do not have a single class in which all of the students are from the same culture or background. There are also many groups around the campus that represent many different cultures and I am sure every student can find a group to which they can belong. DePaul is great in representing the diversity in which we live.
DePaul’s School of Education program is unique compared to other schools I considered attending because... I considered the Department of Psychology and found that for me the School of Education would be a better match with my personality. The Education program is very warm and unique, and it feels like a family because of the low student to teacher ratio. When I think of the Education program at DePaul I think of family. I think of DePaul as my second family, because I know no matter what, I can go to my professors and get great advice. The teachers in this school treat their students with deep respect.
I decided to pursue a degree in Education because... I always knew I wanted to work with children, but I was not sure in which field... One of the advisors asked me about teaching. I thought about it and today I think it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The teachers in the Early Childhood Education program are great and I feel very blessed to have them in my life as educators.
The one thing I’d like to say to students considering DePaul... DePaul opened my eyes for the future. I made one of the best decisions in my life by coming here. I really feel free in this school; it is like my second home. The teachers are very open with their students and they make the atmosphere very relaxing and enjoyable.
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