Graduate Student Profile
From Sailing to Studying

By Sarah Jio

You might say that Sara DiLuna has led an exotic life. Now a graduate student in the School of Business and Economics’ Information Systems Management (ISM) Program, DiLuna often trolled the turquoise waters of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and other world destinations before enrolling at SPU.

DiLuna didn’t leave behind a life of luxury on yachts and cruise ships, however. Instead, she altered her status with the U.S. Coast Guard from ship driver to student.

Seven years ago, DiLuna joined the Coast Guard with an interest in unique peace-time missions such as environmental response, maritime law enforcement and search and rescue. After receiving her officer’s commission and bachelor’s degree in management from the Coast Guard Academy, she spent two years aboard a ship patrolling the waterways from Central America to Canada.

During her tour of duty, DiLuna participated in rescue missions and two monumental drug busts that recovered more than two metric tons of marijuana off the coast of Mexico. Even though she was content with these on-the-job adventures, DiLuna soon discovered another area where she could be of service to the Coast Guard.

“My time out on the ocean showed me how critical information management is,” says DiLuna. “There is an abundance of newer, better and faster technology that could greatly enhance our daily operations on land and at sea.” When she heard about “Integrated Deepwater Systems,” a new Coast Guard initiative working to replace outdated systems and assets across the organization, DiLuna says she knew that’s where she wanted to be.

Shortly after her tour was complete, DiLuna was selected by the Coast Guard to pursue graduate education. That’s when she turned to SPU’s ISM Program. “The faculty, staff and students at SPU are amazing,” she says. “Their faith is strong, and they’re not afraid to share it.”

A full-time student, it didn’t take DiLuna long to connect with her new community. She is now president of the School’s Graduate Student Association, an organization that plans special events and brings guest speakers to campus.

Recently, as a class project DiLuna built a database that is now in use at the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Office in Seattle. “They had this really tedious paper process; we helped them make it efficient,” she says, clearly passionate about her area of study.

“The role of information management is going to be huge,” says DiLuna. With the experience and knowledge she’s building at SPU, it’s likely her career will be too.

Special Updates
Spring Graduation Ceremonies

Graduate Hooding Ceremony
(Friday, June 6, 8:45 a.m., Martin Square) Students graduating with master’s degrees are invited to participate in the Graduate Hooding Ceremony. During the ceremony, their program director and dean will hood them. Master’s degree students are then invited to Ivy Cutting and to process with the faculty and participate in that ceremony. Doctoral students are also invited but will be formally hooded at Commencement. Students should arrive at Martin Square at 8:30 a.m. dressed in regalia. The ceremony will begin at 8:45 a.m. When you register online for graduation, please note if you will participate.

Ivy Cutting
(Friday, June 6, 9:30 a.m., Tiffany Loop) Master’s degree graduates and doctoral graduates will process with the faculty from Martin Square after the Graduate Hooding Ceremony. The group will begin marching into Tiffany Loop at 9:25 a.m.

Graduate Receptions
(Various Times and Locations) Receptions for master’s degree and doctoral graduates are hosted by their individual programs. Your school and program will notify you regarding your program’s reception when information is available.

Summary of 2003-2004 Graduate Tuition Rates
(Effective Summer 2003)

Graduate Courses	Per-Credit Charge
Business Administration (M.B.A.)	$506
Information Systems Management (M.S.)	$506
Marriage and Family Therapy (M.S. and Certificate)	$412
Nursing (M.S.N. and Nurse Practitioner Certificate)	$406
Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.)	$355
School Counseling (M.Ed. or Certificate)	$355
Administration (M.Ed. Principal Certification)	$406
Curriculum and Instruction Online (M.Ed.)	$355
Sport and Exercise Leadership (M.A.)	$355
Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.)	$459
TESOL (M.A.)	$355
Education – Doctoral (Ed.D.)	$445

Notes and Reminders

2003-04 FAFSA Forms Available
The 2003-04 Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) forms are now available. Paper copies are available in Student Financial Services or you may file online by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov. Seattle Pacific University’s school code is 003788. Please note that you must file a new FAFSA every year.

Access Your SPU Account Online
Graduate students may view account and financial aid information online by logging on to the Banner Information System on the SPU Web site and selecting the student menu.

Credit Balance Update
Seattle Pacific University will cut credit balance checks on or after the seventh day of each quarter. Resident students will be sent an e-mail when their check is ready to pick up in Student Financial Services. Checks will be mailed to non-resident students.

If a student wishes for Seattle Pacific to keep the credit balance on their student account to offset future charges, they must notify Student Financial Services before the seventh day of each quarter. If a student wishes to obtain their credit balance earlier than the time specified above, the student, along with the presentation of an SPU ID card or other ID, must request withdrawals of credit balances from his or her account in writing. To allow adequate processing time, withdrawal of credit balances will take 24 hours from date of request.

Please include a student identification number and signature, and mail the balance withdrawal to SPU, Student Financial Services, 3307 Third Avenue West, Seattle, Washington 98119, or fax the request to 206/281-2835.

News From SPU Computer and Information Services
For the latest updates from SPU Computer and Information Services about your SPU e-mail account, helpful software and other technology information click here. Technical support is also available to students 24 hours a day. For more information, visit the CIS HelpDesk.

Important Dates

Quick Resources
Find what you need on campus — from an SPU ID card to class registration information. Click here for a compilation of office hours, phone numbers and other details to make graduate student life a little easier.


Questions, Comments, Feedback
We're interested in hearing your feedback about The Graduate Review and how it can be used to better meet your needs. Please send any comments or questions via e-mail to sasinfo@spu.edu. If you have a story idea or suggestion for a future issue, please contact sarahjio@spu.edu.