Name: Dominique Levert
Age: 21
Year: senior
Major: psychology
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Her Campus: What is your position on campus?
Dominique Levert: “I’m president of Delta Nu Zeta.”
HC: How did you get involved with Delta Nu Zeta?
DL: “After freshman year, I felt that I was missing that ‘home’ sensation that everyone finds on campus. I became involved with smaller organizations, but I still felt like something was missing. I stumbled upon the recruitment event for Delta Nu Zeta the fall of my sophomore year and decided to give it a try. I did not know it was a service organization until the first event, but I did a lot of community service in high school and enjoyed my time then, so I felt this would be a good addition to my college experience. I was excited when I received my bid because it was the first semester as an active chapter, and I could not wait to grow with the organization.”
HC: What is your favorite part of being in the sorority?
DL: “I was able to watch Delta Nu Zeta grow from the beginning. When I first joined we were at 17 members, and in only two years we are now at 80! I was definitely shocked, but I love to see that there is a passion for service on campus. It is nice to be able to bond over service with these girls by helping out the Gainesville community.”
HC: And the biggest challenge?
DL: “Since we are a new organization, we are still learning what our limits are by how involved we can be without spreading ourselves too thin. When we were small it was difficult to get involved in different events on campus; however, as we grow, I hope to find new ways to get Delta Nu Zeta out there and participating. We have been fortunate enough to participate in Dance Marathon and Relay for Life in the last two years and we hope to find new ways to contribute our time to events that help the community.”
HC: What other things are you involved in on campus?
DL: “I have previously been involved with the Psychology Club, IRHA and three different research labs with professors in the last four years.”
HC: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
DL: “I hope to have my doctoral degree, publish scientific articles and become self-sustainable. I would like to live in a major city and save funds to buy a vineyard with some friends.”
HC: What is your dream job?
DL: “I would love to be a professor at a university, teaching and doing research. Afterwards, or even on the side, I would love to own an art gallery and showcase up-and-coming artists.”
HC: What are your hobbies?
DL: “Netflix, reading, the beach, nature walks and hanging out with friends. I collect small art pieces from street artists when I visit new places. I also collect rocks from places I have visited. At first, it began as a joke with a friend since she was a geology major. I collected them for her, but now I started doing so for myself. I label them and everything and have a jar with rocks from all across Europe in my room.”
HC: Who is your role model?
DL: “Nicki Minaj, honestly. She is not afraid to push limits and go beyond what society expects of her. Her confidence and comfortableness in her own shoes is what I look up to.”
HC: What advice would you give to new students?
DL: “Do not wait to get involved. I waited until the end of my junior year to really investigate everything the university has to offer, and I am now trying to use all the cool resources. Also, do not be afraid to participate in community events like art and food festivals to really explore Gainesville. The first year is scary and overwhelming, but everyone is in the same situation. Do not be afraid to walk down the hall of your dorm or apartment knocking on people’s doors introducing yourself or even sitting with random people at the dining hall. It can be weird at first, but you never know what friendships can come out of it.
HC: What is your favorite memory at UF so far?
DL: “To just choose one is extremely difficult, but my favorite memory was participating in Dance Marathon for the last two years. Having my sorority sisters and friends there encouraging me to keep dancing allowed me to realize in my tired state that I found what I was looking for in my college experience: a backbone, a support system that keeps me grounded and a family.”