Dr. Amanda Oliva Inspires Mount L.E.O. Students w/ Leadership Insights

Dr. Amanda L. Oliva, a certified Sign Language Interpreter and director of communication and accessibility for Deaf individuals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), recently inspired Mount St. Dominic Academy students participating in the school’s signature L.E.O. Program with her powerful story of advocacy and resilience. Dr. Oliva shared her journey from learning basic ASL signs as a child to communicate with her grandfather, to becoming a leader in accessibility for the Deaf community. Her deeply personal connection to ASL, combined with her professional experiences, offered students a unique perspective on the challenges faced by Deaf individuals and the critical need for systemic change.

During her presentation, Dr. Oliva explored the barriers Deaf individuals encounter in education, employment, and daily interactions, including the scarcity of inclusive language programs and interpreter access at work. She shared compelling stories of advocating for equal rights, combating employment discrimination, and ensuring ASL interpreters are included in mainstream spaces. Her discussion of "Dinner Table Syndrome," which is the isolation Deaf individuals often experience within their own families due to communication barriers, deeply resonated with the audience and sparked thoughtful dialogue.

Dr. Oliva’s efforts to create an inclusive workforce through partnerships with major organizations and her push for awareness about Deaf culture left a lasting impression. She encouraged students to learn ASL and to become proactive allies in fostering accessibility and inclusion within their communities. The session served as a powerful reminder of the importance of breaking down communication barriers and promoting equity for all.

Her presentation aligns seamlessly with the goals of the L.E.O. Program, which challenges students to think critically, innovate, and lead with purpose. Mount St. Dominic Academy is proud to be the second school in New Jersey, and the first all-girls school, selected for the prestigious program. This two-year initiative immerses students in the entrepreneurial process, from ideation to business development, with mentorship from industry leaders and opportunities like the LionWorks "Shark Tank" Competition, where winners earn college scholarships.

“The Mount is thrilled to offer the L.E.O. Program, a transformative opportunity that immerses students in the entrepreneurial process. From developing business concepts to launching them, and presenting their ideas to panels of experts, our students gain invaluable real-world experience that prepares them for future success,” said Dr. Karen D’Avino, Principal of Mount St. Dominic Academy.

The L.E.O. Program is dedicated to the memory of Leonidas “Leo” Vagias, who passed away tragically in 2016, and was a Don Bosco Prep alumnus and brother of Mount alumnae Alexandra Vagias ’18. His passion for business and leadership lives on through this initiative, which empowers students to become the next generation of leaders. Through opportunities like Dr. Oliva’s presentation, students not only gain entrepreneurial skills but also develop a deeper understanding of how to make a meaningful impact on their communities.

About the L.E.O. Program
The Mount’s signature L.E.O. Program is a transformative two-year initiative that immerses MSDA high school students in the entrepreneurial process, from ideation to business development. With mentorship from industry leaders and opportunities like the LionWorks "Shark Tank" Competition—where winners earn college scholarships—the program equips students with real-world skills and prepares them for future success.

As the second school in New Jersey, and the first all-girls school selected for this prestigious program, Mount St. Dominic Academy is proud to foster critical thinking, innovation, and purposeful leadership among its students. The program is dedicated to the memory of Leonidas “Leo” Vagias, a Don Bosco Prep alumnus and brother of Mount alumna Alexandra Vagias ’18. Through the program, Leo’s passion for business and leadership inspires the next generation of leaders.

Through experiential learning, mentorship, and initiatives like expert presentations, the L.E.O. Program empowers students not only to develop entrepreneurial skills but also to make meaningful impacts on their communities and beyond.

About Mount St. Dominic Academy

Mount St. Dominic Academy (MSDA), established by the Sisters of St. Dominic, is an independent Catholic college preparatory school dedicated to educating young women from diverse ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds. Located in the picturesque town of Caldwell, New Jersey, the Mount has been empowering young women in the Dominican tradition since 1892.

MSDA is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the International Coalition of Girls' Schools, the Dominican Educators Learning Community (DELC) formerly known as Dominican Association of Secondary Schools (DASS), the National Catholic Educational Association, and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.

The Mount offers an impressive array of signature programs, which are similar to having college minors, including the: L.E.O. Entrepreneurship Program; Health Sciences Signature Program (HSC); Social Justice Concentration and Directed Research Senior Capstone Program. Through these programs, students gain invaluable real-world experience that prepares them for future success.

The Mount has received numerous accolades, including the 2024 College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Awards for exceptional female representation in AP Computer Science A (CSA), and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). It was also recognized as “Gold with Access” on the 2024 College Board AP School Honor Roll, and earned Gold Medals in the 2023 and 2024 “Best of Essex” contests in the “Best Private High School” category. Additionally, the Mount achieved an A+ rating on Niche’s 2024 Best Schools list, a distinction awarded to only 2.5% of schools nationwide. Visit the Mount for more information.

One hundred percent of Mount graduates are accepted to 4-year colleges. The 60 graduates of the Class of 2024 earned more than $13 million in scholarships and merit awards. Accepted into 119 colleges and universities across the country, more than 40 of these schools welcomed Mount graduates as freshmen in the fall of 2024. MSDA currently has students at leading colleges and universities across the country, including Notre Dame, Villanova, Holy Cross, George Washington, University of Michigan and NYU – to name just a few.

Rolling Admissions for the Class of 2029 has begun! Sign up today to take the MSDA Entrance Exam on March 22, 2025, then schedule a visit! Private Family tours and “Mountie for a Day” visits are available to current 8th graders and transfer students in Grades 9-11, or join us at our Spring Open House on April 2, 2025. Your sisters can’t wait to meet you!