Jose '25

Major: BS Business Analytics

Describe your Syracuse experience in a couple of sentences.
I’ve been fortunate to enjoy several different opportunities professionally and personally. To that, it’s been supportive of my goal to broaden my horizons as a young professional.

How is your school/college preparing you for your future career?
At Whitman, there are systems in place to support students with a balance of academic and career-focused attention in the classroom. Teaching practical habits for being critical thinkers and enabling our developing ambitions.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I am leaning towards pursuing an opportunity to work in Financial Intelligence (FININT) for an intelligence agency or private contractor. FININT had struck me as an undervalued focus in the intelligence community when I was serving.

Tell me about your experience as a student veteran.
The ability to find community feels like one of the greater gifts I’ve received here in Syracuse. To find comradery as early as a couple of months into my academic career by simply studying in the SVO lounge, I’ve enjoyed the shared experience I have been through with my peers.

How has your involvement with any organizations/extracurriculars/study abroad/internships impacted you?
There are many influences between working part-time, my 2022 summer internship, and volunteering with some incredible organizations. One general theme of being involved in the greater Syracuse area and Onondaga County is interacting with individuals I would not have otherwise, having been born and raised in California. Working with professionals from all walks of life, as opposed to the narrower group I meet on a college campus, allows me to glean even more from the outside world.

Are you the recipient of any scholarships?
I’ve been fortunate to make the Dean’s List, and I'm a recipient of the Dean's Scholarship.

What has been your favorite Syracuse experience so far?
I made a reconnection to my faith. It was a humbling experience because, in the midst of my transition from the service to a new area and to higher learning, I was able to take solace in something comfortable for me.

How has donor generosity impacted your time at Syracuse?
The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs has provided me with financial support to pursue college internships, professional development trips, and more with donor generosity. This has left me with true ease of mind to focus on what I hope to enable my future success.

Why do you think giving back to the University is important?
From a young age, I’ve witnessed issues with how lower socio-economic climates have affected the growth and development of youth or young adults without the resources or support of others. It is the greatest difference maker for someone to find success and fulfillment in their career path.

What does it mean to you to be Orange?
Support for the Orange community, and to use your platform to support your own community. Being a responsible member of the Orange community means serving where you call home whether it’s a small town you move on to, an affinity group, or it’s family and friends.

Anything else you would like to share?
I hope what I have to say might resonate with someone because the conversations I have throughout the school semester are often littered with concerns such as “Are we going to provide transportation?”, “How much is this?”, or “Who can I ask for help with this?” and being the beneficiaries of donations will always build the community stronger to pursue a positive impact on the greater community and those who are perhaps marginalized or less fortuitous than we are to receive support.

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