From Athlete to Artist: Holy Family Prepares Ally Mastripolito for Future Success
As she prepared to graduate from Archbishop Carroll High School in 2021, Ally Mastripolito ‘25 was trying to carve out a new identity.
From early childhood through high school, sports were a huge part of Mastripolito’s life. However, Mastripolito did not plan to continue sports after high school and found herself contemplating what was next as she prepared to head off to college.
It was at that moment that Mastripolito found Holy Family University.
“I ended up taking a tour with my mom and my sister and it really felt like my high school when I got here,” Mastripolito said. “That was something I was really looking for.”
Mastripolito didn’t realize it when she first enrolled for the Fall 2021 semester, but Holy Family was going to put her on the path toward a dream career. A senior graphic design major, Mastripolito is currently interning at Nobils, a nonprofit science, technology and strategy contractor.
Mastripolito was offered the internship through Janice O’Connor, B.S., a graphic design professor at Holy Family who also works as Creative Services Design Director at Noblis. O’Connor taught Mastripolito in multiple classes at Holy Family and applauded her growth, creativity and willingness to lend a helping hand to her fellow students.
“When I took Ally on as an intern, I knew she still had a lot to learn, but she is a quick learner,” O’Connor said. “She was thrown into work with little guidance at times and really understood from customers what was needed. I travel for work a lot and have so many meetings that, at times, Ally has to handle tasks on her own. I am impressed with her eagerness and how thorough she is.”
“It has been so educational and fun,” Mastripolito remarked about the internship. “Noblis uses a lot more graphic design than I thought. Janice has been so encouraging for me and it’s been an incredible experience. I feel so lucky that she asked me to do it.”
Mastripolito was inspired to major in graphic design by her father, who is a graphic designer himself. She also credits Loraine Carpenter, the Fine Arts department chair at Archbishop Carroll, for encouraging her to pursue a major in art.
“She was such an inspiration to me at a time where I stopped being an athlete and had to find out who I was,” Mastripolito said of Carpenter. “My outlet was art, and she inspired me to believe that not only can you have a career in art, but you can be successful in it.”
Mastripolito fell in love with the HFU art community from the minute she stepped onto campus. Mastripolito serves as the vice president of the Student Visual Art Association and said she has built many strong relationships with fellow students and faculty over the past four years.
In addition to her tight bond with O’Connor, Mastriploito spoke highly of Pamela Flynn, MFA, M.A., Professor of Art and Fine Arts Coordinator at Holy Family.
“Pam is, for all of the art majors, our pride and joy,” Mastripolito said. “She’s such an inspiration for all of us, especially her female students. She’s always someone who is there for us to encourage us to keep going.”
In addition to her studies, Mastripolito has found a way to continue her athletic career. She joined Holy Family’s cheerleading team as a first-year student and has served as a captain for the past two years.
“I always loved dancing in my bedroom, so my mom suggested that I join the cheer team,” Mastripolito recalled. “She followed them on Instagram and thought I could do it. I made the team and it was very exciting.”
Mastripolito believes Holy Family has set her up to succeed in her career after she graduates in May 2025. What she will remember most from her experience at the University is the friendships she made with many HFU community members.
“If you really are open to meeting new people and making a name for yourself and your career, attending Holy Family can be really beneficial,” Mastripolito said.