When Eleanor Mondok, Class of 2025 chose Walsh University, she found a place where her passions for service, music, and occupational therapy could thrive together. Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Eleanor is a double major in Psychology, pre-Occupational Therapy and Visual & Performing Arts (music) with a minor in Exercise Science. Her journey to Walsh began with a search for a university that valued her as an individual, and she found that at Walsh—a community that felt like family from the start.
“What truly sealed the deal for me was meeting the people here on my tour,” Eleanor recalls. “Everybody I met was genuine, authentic, joy-filled, and kindhearted. I decided that I wanted to be more like that, too.”
Since arriving on campus, Eleanor has immersed herself in both leadership and service. She serves as president of Cavs for Life, where she has grown significantly in her communication, organization, and teamwork skills. Her leadership doesn’t stop there—she also coordinates all the music for Sunday Mass at Walsh, volunteering her time and talent to ensure each service is filled with meaningful worship. From selecting hymns to organizing cantors and even composing music, Eleanor embodies servant leadership, inspiring those around her through her dedication.
“To me, the definition of servant-leadership is not only leading others to serve but serving those you lead,” Eleanor explains.
Music is more than just a passion for Eleanor; it’s a vital part of her life and future career. At Walsh, she has been able to pursue a unique combination of music and occupational therapy, an opportunity she may not have found elsewhere. This combination is also the focus of her honors thesis project, where she’s creating a piano book and audio recording to help young children with neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD and ADHD through music.
“Just like the human body, music has a physical component as well as a psychological one,” Eleanor shared. “Playing an instrument such as the piano can help hone fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and balance, all of which can be useful in a therapy setting.”
Looking ahead, Eleanor plans to attend graduate school for occupational therapy at Walsh, taking advantage of the Early Assurance Program. She hopes to incorporate music into her practice, continuing to teach piano lessons and eventually starting a family.
