Lucie Dombroski

1. Do you play on an athletics team? If so, which one? How has playing on a team impacted your experience at Norwich?: Yes, women's rugby. Playing on the team has been such a positive impact on my experience at Norwich because it gave me a group of friends that I would of never met before and we have made memories together that will last a lifetime.

2. What influenced your decision to attend Norwich University? Why did you choose Norwich?: When I took my tour I knew as soon as a stepped on campus that I wanted to continue my academic career at Norwich. The individuals that I interacted with all had positive things to say about the school and they all talked about the unique experience that they got through Norwich. I choose Norwich knowing that I would get an amazing education from amazing professors and also for the unique experiences that I knew that I wouldn't get at any other school. 

3. Why did you choose your major? What do you love about your field of study?: I choose to be a Criminal Justice Major because I knew that Norwich had a great program filled with faculty who had real-world experience in the criminal justice field. The part that I love about my major is the unique opportunities that I have been able to experience both inside and outside the classroom. 

4. How has your Norwich experience contributed to your success in the program?: I think that my Norwich experience contributed to my success within the Criminal Justice program because of the faculty that I have been able to work with. All of the faculty are amazing and for the most part, have real-world experience within the criminal justice field whether they work or worked as police officers, lawyers, probation and parole officers, or within DOC. I've been lucky enough to gain insight that I would have never received if I attend any other school. So I think that the criminal justice faculty at Norwich and the experience I have gotten have very much contributed to my success at Norwich.

5. What unique opportunities have you had in your time/program at Norwich? (Research, leadership positions, internships, fellowships, networking, study abroad/away, service opportunities, etc.) What have you taken away from it?: Some of the unique opportunities that I have been able to be a part of within the criminal justice program has been being able to do undergrad research with Dr.Elizabeth Gurian on Mass murder and Serial killers. Dr.Gurian is well known for her research and has published books on the topic so it has been very rewarding to be able to work with her on her research. Another unique experience that I have been able to be a part of because of the criminal justice program is during the Spring of 2023 I had an Internship with Barre Probation and Parole. At this internship, I was able to get hands-on experience and apply different things that I have learned in the classroom as well. Something that I have taken away from these two experiences is that it is a good thing to step out of your comfort zone. With both of these opportunities they were outside of my comfort zone so I was glad I pushed myself to go for these opportunities. Outside the classroom, some of the unique opportunities that I have had would be making connections and networking with previous women's rugby alumni. Even though some of them graduates years ago and some of them were a part of the team when it was first started, they still come out to the games and support us and they always tell us to reach out to them if we ever need anything. Something that I have taken away from being a member of the women's rugby team and being able to make those connections and being able to network is that no matter what I will always have a sisterhood to fall back on if I ever need anything on the pitch and off the pitch as well. 

6. What’s the biggest challenge you faced during your college career and how did you overcome it?: The biggest challenge I faced during my college career was having to deal with COVID-19 my freshman and sophomore year of college. It was not ideal to have my first two years of college filled with COVID-19 but I overall that challenge by surrounding myself with positive people and made the best out of the situation that we had thrown at us. 

7. What are your post-graduation plans? Career, military, grad school?: Post-graduation I plan on becoming a police officer or state trooper.

8. Where’s your favorite place to study or hang out on campus? Why?: My favorite place to hang out on campus would be down by the Dog River when it's nice out with my friends and teammates. My favorite place to study on campus would have to be Mack Hall or the Library. 

9. In your free time, what do you enjoy doing on campus or in Vermont?: In my free time I enjoy going to the different shops and restaurants around Norwich and up in Burlington. 

10. What is one thing a student should do or experience at Norwich before they graduate?: One thing that a student should do or experience at Norwich before they graduate is going up to Burlington and walking down church street when it is all decorated during Christmas time.