President
Anne Kurt
Graduation Year: 2027
Major in Romance Studies
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
What do you like to do for fun? baking, running, working as an ophthalmic technician
"If it weren't for the Duke Catholic Center, I wouldn't be the person that I am today."
Vice President
Anthony Benbenek
Graduation Year: 2028
Major in Political Science & Economics
Hometown: Park Ridge, IL
Favorite thing about the DCC: How accessible and invested the priests are in our lives. Their involvement makes it easy to feel connected and grow in faith.
Liturgy
Paul Fong
Year of Graduation: 2027
Major in Biomedical Engineering
Other Duke groups: Duke University Marching Band, Yuan Lab
What is your favorite thing about the DCC? I love how everyone you meet at the DCC wants to support you, most importantly in your faith, but also through challenges at Duke and beyond.
"Having this student director role helps remind me what's important [especially during stressful times]."
Liturgy
Zofia Chmiel
Graduation Year: 2027
Major in Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Weston, CT
What do you hope to accomplish in this role? I hope to help set the stage for a smooth, welcoming Mass and get as many people involved as possible. Whether with the readings, giving of the gifts, or serving as a Eucharistic minister, I want everyone to feel invited to participate.
"My faith journey has been on an exponential rise ever since coming to Duke."
Liturgy
Colin Miley
Graduation Year: 2027
Major in Economics, Minor in Computer Science
What do you like to do for fun? Hiking, skiing, golf, teaching (econ TA and high school personal finance tutor), watching Boston sports, travel
Favorite thing about the DCC? The people!
"I want to give glory to God by helping prepare our worship spaces for perfect and holy Mass celebrations."
Service and Social Justice
Sarah Hernandez
Graduation Year: 2028
Major in Public Policy
Hometown: Tampa, FL
"I love the availability of the sacraments like daily Mass, confession, and Adoration and the friends I’ve made!"
Service and Social Justice
Maia Torres Calixto
Graduation Year: 2028
Major in Public Policy
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Favorite animal: turtle
"I hope cultivate awareness of those who are in need and increase our reach in the community. I also want to make service opportunities that are diverse and require all the different God-given talents people have!"
Retreats
Caroline Beggs
Graduation Year: 2028
Major in Biology
Hometown: Clarkston, MI
"I hope to continue creating retreats with our team that are spiritually fruitful and community-centered. I also want to support the DCC’s mission of giving students a space to encounter God."
Socials & Multicultural Initiatives
Catherine Papa
Year of Graduation: 2027
Major in Biomedical Engineering
Favorite thing about the DCC: the people
What do you like to do for fun? Playing on the club lacrosse team, Hiking, Listening to Country Music
"I hope to play a role in creating the welcoming and loving environment that has become such as large part of my time at Duke."
Social & Multicultural Initiatives
Natalie Cuevas
Year of Graduation: 2028
Major in Neuroscience
Hometown: San Saba, Texas
What do you hope to accomplish in this role? I hope to create a fun experience to allow students in the Catholic community to socialize and have fun!
"The DCC has helped me have my own initiative in my faith, knowing that everything is in my hands and that I'm not alone."
Hospitality
Ryan Grondin
Graduation Year: 2029
Hometown: Summit, NJ
Favorite thing about the DCC: Late nights at the FAH
What do you like to do for fun? Reading, running, music
"I hope to help grow the DCC community. I want Catholic Center to be a home for as many students as possible."
Hospitality
Michelle Giffoni-Albor
Year of Graduation: 2028
Major in Mathematics & Romance Studies
What do you like to do for fun? Pottery, Triathlons, Baldwin Scholars, and Volunteering
"By fostering a culture of attentiveness and inclusion within the Church, I want to help build a space where people feel valued and at home, and where hospitality becomes a lived expression of faith."
Graduate Student Directors
President
Dominic Tanzillo
Third year medical student
Other Duke Groups/Involvement: teaches first-year Anatomy in the Medical School and some undergrad courses, prison healthcare initiatives
Favorite Saint: St. Joseph of Cupertino
Favorite animal: pelican
"Being a [student director] and talking to people understanding their spiritual needs has been helpful for both my own spiritual growth and growing the larger community here."
Liturgy
Maryann Benny Fernandes
Second year PhD student in Electrical & Computer Engineering
"The DCC really uplifts everyone who is a part of this community - undergraduates, graduates, post-docs, other community members visiting us during Masses - it is a really amazing community."
Socials
Nick Martin
First year masters student studying mechanical engineering
Favorite Saint: St. Peter
Favorite candy: Skittles
"Living in a community of other people trying to become closer to Christ, always makes that journey a little bit easier and helps bring you closer to Him as well."