Dominica M. Ranieri

Dominica M. Ranieri

California State University San Marcos

image of Dominica M. Ranieri
 

The third of four children raised by a poor working single mother, Dominica Ranieri was already fighting the odds to graduate from high school when she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2008. After five weeks in the hospital, she had to take on extra classes to graduate on time.

Today, Dominica is a first-generation college senior at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) majoring in biochemistry. With a passion for serving others, she has taken on numerous leadership positions including Orientation Team leader, University Student Union Advisory Board student representative, vice president of the Pre-Health Society, and president and founder of Organizing for America. She also volunteers for the CSUSM Women's Center, is a member of the Social Justice Action Team, the new member educator of Alpha Omicron Pi, and is secretary for the Women's Studies Student Association.

Dominica’s experience with Crohn’s has given her the passion to pursue a career as a pediatric gastroenterologist and inspire others with her story of success. Her younger brother now follows in her footsteps at CSUSM.