Victoria Corcoran, the Long Island Campus’ valedictorian for the Class of 2026, is a shining example of making every moment count. Since beginning her journey at St. Joseph’s University, New York four years ago, she has utilized the tools, resources and opportunities offered to forge a path forward, one that is gleaming with success and untold potential.
Making new connections, becoming immersed in campus life, joining BASIC (Brothers and Sisters in Christ), leading as captain of the Golden Eagles tennis team, tapping into her spirituality and striving for academic excellence — each step Victoria has taken has been in service of self-improvement and exceeding expectations.
This May, Victoria’s story at St. Joseph’s will culminate in a momentous achievement as she crosses the stage during the University’s 107 Annual Commencement ceremony.
OnCampus: What initially led you to attend St. Joseph’s University?
Victoria Corcoran: Originally, I was majoring in secondary education in English. St. Joseph’s has a really great reputation for teaching. I’m also an Irish dancer and attending St. Joe’s allowed me to stay close so that I could continue competing.
OnCampus: Tell us a little about your major and attracted you to it.
VC: Majoring in secondary education didn’t last that long. I ended up switching to becoming an English major with minors in journalism, legal studies and political science. When I was a secondary education major English was my concentration, but I love writing and reading, so it felt like a natural transition. There’s just something about diving into a book and getting lost in a new world.
I loved my journalism classes. Those were always a lot of fun. I got a lot of hands-on experience. We were out in the world with our cameras, making documentaries.
I also enjoyed the English classes. Some of my professors always looked at things bigger than just the horizontal. They look at how everything applies to everything, not just in academics, but in life as well. It showed that they cared for their students as people and not just names on a paper or grades.
OnCampus: Who are some of the people that had an impact on St. Joseph’s experience?
Class of 2026 Long Island Valedictorian, Victoria Corcoran ’26.
VC: The first is Kathleen Blumenthal, my boss at the tutoring center. But she’s so much more than that. She’s helped me grow as a person — someone who is confident in themselves and what they want, and can go after anything that they want.
I’d also say Professor Thomas Grochowski, the chair of the English department. He helped me, especially when I was writing my thesis. He always pushes me to make sure I’m academically challenged, but also taking on other opportunities as they arise.
Professor William Phillips as well, the chair of the journalism department. I took journalism as a minor but he’s had such a positive impact on my time here. He introduced me to an entirely new world of writing. Films, documentaries and podcasts — these were things I was passionate about for a while and he gave me as many opportunities as possible to explore them.
OnCampus: What was your experience as a student-athlete at St. Joseph’s?
VC: I was on the tennis team my freshman and sophomore year, then my junior year I was hurt but they still named me captain. I was still going to the practices and games just to cheer them on. Finally, in my senior year I was made captain but this time I could play.
You can tell St. Joseph’s cares a lot about their athletics. We have a trainer at every game and they’re always making sure we’re taken care of and our needs are met. They are also big on academics coming first, so are understanding about us having to miss a practice.
OnCampus: What does it mean to you to be named valedictorian?
VC: I feels like all the hard work that I’ve put in has paid off in a way that I can see. I’ve worked hard at not only balancing my academics with extracurriculars, but building strong connections and relationships with my peers, faculty and staff members. To see so many people that I’ve had a positive impact on. That’s really what I’ve taken away from this honor.
OnCampus: How are you different today than when you first arrived at St. Joseph’s?
VC: I’m definitely more comfortable in my values and beliefs now than when I was coming in. I’m able to do things like set healthy boundaries for myself, have a set routine and stick to it, and balance my academics, family and extracurriculars to the point where I’m no longer burning myself out. I’ve learned that caring for myself helps me all around in every aspect of life.
OnCampus: What advice would you offer to students?
VC: Don’t be afraid to take on any new opportunity because you don’t know where it can lead. I had an opportunity my first year to attend a leadership retreat and that was where I met people in BASIC and I started to really get involved. It all stemmed from that one experience. You never really know where things are going to lead. I said yes to a bunch of things and that’s what brought me here.
OnCampus: What are you most excited for when you think about your future?
VC: I’m attending law school at Touro College after graduation, so I’m really excited about that. It’s been a dream that I’ve been working toward for a couple of years now. I can’t wait to see where that takes me. I’ve had this passion for political science and standing up for what’s right, so I think it’ll be a good experience for me. A stressful one for sure, but still a good one.
OnCampus: How do you feel your experience at St. Joseph’s has prepared you for what’s next?
VC: I think it’s given me the opportunity to find a nice balance for myself between my activities both on and off campus. It’s really allowed me to work on that balance. In terms of people, St. Joe’s has offered me connections that will help me in the future. There are peers who have become my closest friends but there’s also faculty and staff that I know I can go to and contact for advice after I graduate.
OnCampus: What kind of person do you hope people see you as?
VC: I want people to see me as someone who is hardworking but still enjoys everything that she does. I take pride in everything that I do and I’m aware that time is limited so I try to invest my time in things that I care deeply about. Especially things that I’m heavily involved in like BASIC and the English honor society.
This story is part of OnCampus’ “Class of 2026 – Meet the Grads” series, focusing on the Class of 2026 at St. Joseph’s University, New York. To read more from this series, click here.
