Dominic Santillo studied business administration with a specialization in information systems while a student at TCNJ. After graduating in 2003, Santillo worked in healthcare IT for a company in Chicago. Today, he is an IS team leader with ChristianaCare. He is also a father of three and married to fellow Lion, Beth Santillo (Glenn). In his personal time he volunteers as a coach and on non-profit boards whenever possible. “After 20+ years on staff at American Legion Jersey Boys State, I chose to run for local office and serve as Council Member,” said Santillo. “It’s interesting learning about government hands-on at the local level and seeing all the different layers from policing and public works to land use planning and budgeting/finance.”
Since early March, Santillo and his team have been working remotely and initially were working extra hours to help the hospital open COVID units and enable video and phone visits for all outpatient physician offices in the organization. Being a well-rounded student helped Santillo not only in the classroom, but professionally as well. “Although initially, as an analyst and consultant, I was not using my management, accounting, and finance skills, having that base of knowledge is coming in handy as a team leader as I aspire for more responsibility,” said Santillo. “Recently I have been able to recall things that my professors–from Drs. Letcher or Butler or Leven–taught me all that time ago.”
When asked what advice he would give to current students during these times, Santillo said, “make yourself the most marketable potential employee a firm could want. Don’t pigeonhole yourself on just accounting skills or marketing; try to learn about different industries and keep an open mind. Communication skills will never expire. COVID-19 will be a blip on your radar when looking back 20-30 years down the road.”