Sisters, Science, and Spirit

For sisters Danielle, Adrienne, and JoJo Safranski, choosing to come to Gonzaga was about more than just academics. It was about legacy, opportunity, and family.

Danielle, the oldest, came to Gonzaga for its close proximity to their home in the Tri-Cities, and for its reputable School of Health Sciences. Adrienne, the middle sister, applied only to Gonzaga. The combination of esteemed nursing program and family connection made inspired her decision. JoJo, the youngest, was also driven by the family connection, as well as sharing her campus experience with her sisters.

The Safranskis grew up hearing stories of how their parents met at Gonzaga in chemistry class. Dad Alex (’99 engineering) and Mom Kelly (’99 business) love joking that they “had chemistry” from the start. Multiple relatives have attended Gonzaga, including their aunt Ivy, a member of the women’s basketball team in the 1990s.

Those deep ties aside, the sisters’ paths in the health sciences are having an impact.

JoJo says, “Gonzaga is pushing me,” reflecting on her first year studying biology on the pre-health track. Danielle notes that the program’s quality and intensity have prepared her well for medical school after graduating this May with a degree in human physiology and a minor in chemistry.

Adrienne, a current sophomore, is studying nursing. Her sisters describe her as the caretaker of the group, making nursing the ideal fit. Meanwhile, JoJo is described as glam, the “fancy Nancy” of the sisters. She operates her own small business doing nails for others, skills she hopes will translate when she begins her studies in dentistry.

JoJo says having her sisters on campus makes Gonzaga feel like home. From studying with one another to playing on intramural teams, they find ways to stay connected despite busy schedules. Danielle has taken on the role of tutor to help support her younger sisters navigate the more challenging coursework.

Together, the Safranski sisters have turned their time on campus together into something deeper than a college experience: a chapter defined by support, growth, and sisterhood.