How do you think Syracuse has prepared you for your work at the Fiesta Bowl organization?

Syracuse has been instrumental in getting me where I am today. The combination of a great education with an excellent alumni base has paid huge dividends for me. The University has transformed me from a clueless teenager to a more focused and mature individual. I have aspirations that I couldn’t have even dreamt of five years ago.  

Would you elaborate?

Syracuse prepared me to do almost anything. Through the College’s Liberal Arts Core, I learned the importance of effective communication. So when it came time to declare my major [during my junior year], I was already seeing a noticeable improvement in my writing and public speaking.

I take great pride in being able to articulate myself clearly and to communicate with conviction. It’s imperative to success in almost any field, particularly mine. It’s also made me a well-rounded professional.

Is there anything else at Syracuse for which you are grateful?

I am thankful for the strong relationships that I built with not only my friends and classmates, but also my professors and academic advisors. In fact, I got to know a few of my professors really well, but it wasn’t until my senior year that I began to realize the genuine interest they were taking in getting to know the “real me.” Their commitment level was amazing. 

How did you spend your free time on campus?   

During my four years at Syracuse, I made it a priority to attend as many home games as possible. I’ll never forget last year’s men’s basketball game against Duke on Feb. 1. It was the single greatest sporting event of which I have ever been a part. [Syracuse won in overtime, before a record crowd.] 

I also ran a weekly basketball clinic for inner-city youth at nearby Wilson Park and tutored high school students in math, science, and writing through the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection program. 

I’m excited to see where all these experiences will take me next.