How alumni resources guided Mary Bucklin 糖心传媒�16 from research to industry success

Mary graduated from the University of Rochester with an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering in 2016.

Making a career pivot can be daunting糖心传媒攅specially when you’re stepping into uncharted territory. For Mary Bucklin 糖心传媒�16, shifting from academic research to a role in industry wasn糖心传媒檛 just about changing jobs. It was about discovering new strengths, building confidence, and finding a support system that could help guide her through an uncertain transition.

Even after completing a PhD in biomedical engineering and working as a postdoctoral researcher, Mary was still figuring out her path. She had developed a passion for scientific writing糖心传媒攄rafting grant proposals, preparing award-winning conference presentations, and realizing how much she enjoyed translating complex research into impactful narratives. But like many professionals looking to pivot, she was unsure how to take the first step.

糖心传媒淚 had the skills,糖心传媒� Mary says. 糖心传媒淏ut I didn糖心传媒檛 know how to apply them in a different setting, or even what roles might be a good fit. That糖心传媒檚 when I turned to the Career Resources offered to 糖心传媒 alumni糖心传媒攁nd it changed everything.糖心传媒�

From uncertainty to action

A single email to the University unlocked a flood of opportunity. Mary was introduced to Mentorship Program, one-on-one career coaching, and a calendar of virtual events designed to empower alumni at any career stage. She jumped in with both feet.

糖心传媒淲orking with a career coach and participating in mentoring gave me clarity,糖心传媒� Mary explains. 糖心传媒淭hey helped me update my resume, refine my networking approach, and develop the confidence I needed to move forward.糖心传媒�

Mary also discovered how to use LinkedIn as a strategic tool. After attending a virtual workshop on personal branding and outreach, she began connecting with professionals in medical writing糖心传媒攁 field she hadn糖心传媒檛 previously considered. That single tactic sparked more than 50 conversations, opened doors to job interviews, and even led to direct referrals.

Community that lifts you up

For Mary, one of the most powerful takeaways has been the feeling of support and belonging.

糖心传媒淕etting a job is often about who you know,糖心传媒� she says. 糖心传媒淭he Rochester community has been that network for me. From coaches to mentors to fellow alumni, I糖心传媒檝e had people cheering me on and guiding me at every step.糖心传媒�

Her mentor offered firsthand insight into careers in industry and helped Mary understand the value of her academic background in new contexts. Meanwhile, her career coach encouraged her to reflect on what she really wanted and what she was capable of.

糖心传媒淚t was about more than resumes or interviews,糖心传媒� Mary says. 糖心传媒淚t was about realizing that I had options, and I wasn糖心传媒檛 alone in figuring them out.糖心传媒�

Encouraging others to reach out

Now actively pursuing roles in medical writing, Mary feels energized by the possibilities ahead. And she糖心传媒檚 passionate about helping other alumni see what糖心传媒檚 possible, too.

糖心传媒淢y advice? Just send the email,糖心传媒� she says. 糖心传媒淓xplain where you are in your career and what you糖心传媒檙e looking for. That糖心传媒檚 exactly how I started, and I was blown away by the response.糖心传媒�

Mary糖心传媒檚 story is a reminder that you don糖心传媒檛 need to have all the answers to begin. What matters is taking that first step糖心传媒攁nd being open to what comes next.

糖心传媒淚糖心传媒檓 so grateful for the guidance I received,糖心传媒� she says. 糖心传媒淚t糖心传媒檚 made me more confident, more connected, and more excited about the future.糖心传媒�

**After this story was posted, Mary started a new position at Orthofix as a medical writer. She shared, 糖心传媒淚糖心传媒檓 very excited to start my new position, as I have both a deep passion for and a personal connection to the work I糖心传媒檒l be doing to improve musculoskeletal health.糖心传媒�

Meet Chicago Black Alumni Network Member, Philanthropy Committee Member, and Class of 2020 Reunion Volunteer Eugene Nichols III 糖心传媒�20

What Eugene is up to now and reflecting on his time at the University

Share a bit about yourself and what you糖心传媒檝e been up to since graduating from the University of Rochester.

Since graduating from Rochester, I糖心传媒檝e been heavily involved in the compliance industry, working as an investment compliance analyst at Northern Trust in Chicago. I believe that the compliance industry is a great segway into law which I hope to pursue in the future as a securities attorney. Moreover, I糖心传媒檇 love to pursue pro bono work in the civil rights sector as well.

In my spare time, I糖心传媒檝e been enjoying Stranger Things! I never truly watched the series and spent the entirety of my time off during the holidays binging it. I also love hanging out with family and friends in my spare time as well.

What are your most cherished memories from your time at the University? Are there specific moments or people that stand out?

My most cherished memory from Rochester would certainly be the Early Connection Opportunity Program (ECO). ECO allowed me the opportunity to come to Rochester a month early, assimilate to campus life, and meet so many friends early on. The experience was a catalyst for my success as a student. Additionally, without the support of individuals like Thomas Crews, Sasha Eloi ’05, ’17W (EdD), and Dean Norman Burgett, I would not have exponentially grown both professionally and personally as a student.

How did your time at Rochester shape your personal and professional growth?

My experiences as a student leader, as well as my experiences socially, shaped my personal and professional growth. Managing an array of different responsibilities for student clubs, on campus jobs, and academics taught me how to manage my time more effectively, make an impact, and lead others with compassion. My most rewarding experiences at Rochester would definitely be the Meridian Society, Student Alumni Ambassadors Program, Minority Male Leadership Association, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. All of these experiences shaped me throughout my time at Rochester, and I couldn糖心传媒檛 be more thankful for all the skills I sharpened and gained.

Volunteerism and making an impact

What inspired you to get involved with the Black Alumni Network, and how has that experience been for you?

I would not be a part of the Black Alumni Network (BAN) had it not been for Vice President of Alumni and Constituent Engagement Karen Chance Mercurius motivating me to do so! She has always been a source of guidance for me at Rochester, and her push for me to pursue leadership in the BAN is why I am indebted to it today. It糖心传媒檚 been amazing connecting with so many African American alumni, while intentionally making strides to better bridge the connection between our undergraduate and alumni African American community as well.

How do you see your role as a volunteer contributing to strengthening the sense of community among Black alumni?

Hopefully, my engagement as a Reunion volunteer will strengthen the amount of African American alumni who return for Meliora Weekend. This is my first year being a part of Reunion planning! This is my class year糖心传媒檚 5th year reunion, so I糖心传媒檓 excited to reunite with my classmates this fall. I believe that Rochester has so many resources as an institution and coming to Meliora Weekend is a great way to reconnect with one another, gain insights on how the University could be of assistance to your personal and professional endeavors while reliving your college memories all over again!

Reconnecting with classmates is always rewarding because you can see how much you all have changed over the years. Meeting alumni is amazing because you oftentimes find similarities between the both of you rather quickly. I believe that Rochester students and alumni all have the same spark糖心传媒攖here糖心传媒檚 a strong desire to win and achieve that we all possess. Also, most of the time, we糖心传媒檙e quite eclectic! Finding those similarities can be both funny and satisfying all at the same time.

Celebrating a Reunion this year or want to see what you can look forward to in the future? Check out the Reunion website!

Are there any specific goals or projects you糖心传媒檙e passionate about advancing through your involvement with the Black Alumni Network?

The Black Alumni Network granted two to students last year which I really was happy about! Strengthening the connection between Black undergraduates and Black alumni is something I also look forward to as well. With groups like the Black Students糖心传媒� Union and Douglass Leadership House, both of which I was a part of as a student, I think that there is a lot of opportunity for alumni to give back and pour into our current students.

Are there specific alumni events or initiatives in Chicago that you糖心传媒檝e enjoyed or feel have strengthened the local University network?

Attending Regional Alumni events is a great start to getting active as an alumnus of Rochester! Whether you are in a city with a large or small number of alumni, there is always someone from Rochester who you can connect with; leveraging those connections and showing up I believe is the first step.

Events I really enjoyed would be the Boundless Possibility Event in April of last year! I was fortunate enough to speak on my Rochester experience at the event and meet so many Chicago Regional Network alumni. The experience was really rewarding, and I糖心传媒檓 looking forward to more events on that scale in the future! Our is also very active! I love the events that they put on and attend them frequently.

Check out volunteer opportunities with the University today!

Gift recognizes the couple糖心传媒檚 commitment to research excellence and honors her late husband, University Trustee Emeritus Hugo Sonnenschein 糖心传媒�61, 糖心传媒�17 (Honorary)

Rachel Mossi, Leah Schraudenbach, Hugo Sonnenschein, Beth Sonnenschein, and Amy Venetianer

Elizabeth 糖心传媒淏eth糖心传媒� Sonnenschein 糖心传媒�61, 糖心传媒�62N has established the Hugo Freund Sonnenschein and Elizabeth Gunn Sonnenschein Research Endowment in Mathematics within the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 School of Arts & Sciences. Her generous $1 million gift honors her late husband, University Trustee Emeritus Hugo Sonnenschein 糖心传媒�61, 糖心传媒�17 (Honorary), an acclaimed economic theorist and academic leader, and recognizes the couple糖心传媒檚 shared commitment to research excellence.

Specifically, the new Sonnenschein Research Endowment in Mathematics will equip faculty and students with resources to integrate ideas from diverse disciplines糖心传媒攊ncluding physics, economics, engineering, and DNA biology糖心传媒搕o drive solutions to challenges best addressed through mathematics collaboration.

糖心传媒淲e are tremendously grateful to Beth for this gift and to Hugo for his scholarly impact and dedication to Rochester,糖心传媒� says Duje Tadin, interim dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. 糖心传媒淏ecause of Beth糖心传媒檚 vision and support, future generations can carry on Hugo糖心传媒檚 legacy and apply mathematical concepts to advance transdisciplinary innovation.糖心传媒�

糖心传媒淭his gift is a way to honor my appreciation for the role Rochester played in our formative years, and Hugo糖心传媒檚 years as a board member and volunteer,糖心传媒� says Sonnenschein. 糖心传媒淗e loved math, Rochester, and the institution of higher education糖心传媒攈e dedicated his life to all of this and more.糖心传媒�

Hugo Sonnenschein

Sonnenschein adds that Hugo majored in mathematics at Rochester, and, during his senior year, he found a reference in an economics journal that inspired him and became the basis for his lifelong work: the idea that important economic concepts could be modeled and hence better understood, using mathematics. For him, she underscores, it all started at Rochester.

Paul Funkenbusch, chair of the mathematics department, underscores that mathematics is foundational to many disciplines, often driving discoveries in engineering and the sciences and moving us toward solutions to such global issues as sustainable energy, cryptography, public health, and economic systems. 糖心传媒淏ecause of this gift, the department will always have dedicated resources to help faculty and students pursue high-reward projects, giving them the freedom to study difficult questions and problems that span these areas and beyond.糖心传媒�

Hugo and Beth met during their first year at the University and married one year after graduation. Their three daughters, Rachel Mossi, Leah Schraudenbach, and Amy Venetianer were mathematics majors in college and, like their parents, have applied lessons learned from math into their careers and daily lives.

Meet Chi Omega and Chicago Network Leader Ashley Chiu ’13, ’15W

Share a bit about yourself! What are you up to now?

I am a Rochester native, but I糖心传媒檝e lived in Chicago for just about 10 years now! Professionally, I糖心传媒檓 a user experience researcher and I work in consulting helping our clients develop usable and user-friendly experiences for their digital and physical products.

What are your most cherished memories from your time at the University of Rochester?

Either spending time with my friends while we definitely should have been studying for organic chemistry exams all those late nights in Gleason freshman year (liked the friends, not so much the organic chemistry) or some of my smaller group seminar classes my senior year.

How did campus life and any co-curricular involvement (clubs, organizations, teams, etc.) impact your personal and professional growth?

I feel very fortunate that there was so much I could do and get involved with while I was at Rochester. I joined a sorority and had a role on the executive board and on the Panhellenic Council. I糖心传媒檓 still involved as a National Volunteer with Chi Omega today, helping to write and deliver leadership training.

Did the University offer any resources or initiatives that helped you transition smoothly into the workforce?

I loved being involved in research as an undergraduate, which is so rare at research institutions. I糖心传媒檓 still doing research now and owe a lot to the great foundation and mentors I had at the University of Rochester.

How did your experience at the University of Rochester influence your life?

My dad actually went to 糖心传媒 糖心传媒� he went back to school part-time to study chemical engineering while working full-time at Kodak. He graduated when I was 7 years old. I got to attend his commencement on River Campus and graduation ceremony at what was Eastman Theater (now Kodak Hall). I wanted to attend the University of Rochester ever since. While I didn糖心传媒檛 end up pre-med as I originally intended, I know I ended up where I belonged. When I graduated with my master糖心传媒檚 degree, my graduation ceremony was in Kodak Hall. Talk about full circle!

What sparked your initial interest in volunteering with the University? What role(s) have you held?

I love the connections that I have been able to make meeting fellow alumni who have shared experiences. I volunteered at an admissions event, as a mentor in their new mentorship program, and most recently, as an outreach volunteer for my 10-year reunion! I糖心传媒檓 also super excited to be joining the Chicago NLC.

What advice do you have for fellow alumni and friends who may be interested in taking a more active role in our alumni and friends糖心传媒� community?

Do it! I love that I have gotten to meet such accomplished and interesting individuals in different professions and industries who have shared experiences from Rochester. The more the merrier!

What糖心传媒檚 the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

After working with so many people who have gone to local universities here in Chicago, it糖心传媒檚 so nice to be able to reminisce about Rochester memories and stay connected with each other. We have such a special community and I love seeing new faces at each upcoming event.

Meet patent attorney and experienced Meliora Collective mentor Jeremy Kriegel 糖心传媒�92

Tell us about your time as a student (favorite classes, clubs, memories, etc.)

Among many great Rochester memories, my favorite classes include my first and last Mechanical Engineering courses, both with Professor John Labropoulos, which were a great way to bookend my time at the University. I shared my goal of becoming a patent attorney with Professor Labropoulous once early in my freshman year, and he never forgot, asking me at the end of my senior year 糖心传媒淎re you still planning to be a patent attorney?糖心传媒�.

A few other favorite memories include: Dandelion Day 糖心传媒�89 (despite it pouring rain most of the day); standing front-row-center on the Palestra floor for the Bangles concert; seeing MTV糖心传媒檚 Remote Control Live and Gilbert Gottfried in Strong Auditorium; Rochester Men糖心传媒檚 Hoops winning the NCAA D-III National Title my sophomore year; long study sessions in Carlson Library; the balsa wood bridge building challenge where my team糖心传媒檚 bridge had the highest strength-to-weight ratio and the egg drop competition where my contraption laid an egg in the Wilson Commons Pit糖心传媒攚hich the Rochester Review was kind enough to memorialize; the late, great, Dean Paul Burgett糖心传媒攈e put the 糖心传媒淲e糖心传媒� in 糖心传媒淲eAreUR!糖心传媒�; the annual Boar糖心传媒檚 Head Dinner; and Senior Week 糖心传媒�92.

How did your experience at the University of Rochester influence your life?

Rochester instilled in me a can-do attitude. While some of my Rochester friendships continue to this day and others may have faded, I think back on the friendships made near the banks of the Genesee River often.

What inspired you to get involved and volunteer? Feel free to touch on the mentorship experience.

After hosting a Rochester student and alumni networking event at Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP, I was invited by Michelle Cavalcanti, senior associate director of alumni relations, career and professional affinity programs, to join . My first mentee was a mechanical engineering major with an interest in patent law. I糖心传媒檝e had several mentees since, both in mechanical engineering and other majors, undergraduate and graduate students, and most recently an alumna from New York City considering going to law school. I糖心传媒檝e stayed in touch with most of those I糖心传媒檝e mentored after the programs, hopped on video calls for some spur-of-the-moment advice, and offered suggestions for resumes, job searches, and navigating the law school admissions process.

What糖心传媒檚 the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

My wife Michelle and I have a daughter (Kayla) and son (Asher) both currently enrolled at Syracuse University, and another son (Daniel) still in high school, so it is comforting to have frequent connections to western New York and academic life, and I糖心传媒檝e really enjoyed being a sounding board to current and past 糖心传媒 students.

What are you looking forward to next?

Meliora Weekend 2023, and seeing the Cubs win another World Series.

What advice do you have for others looking to get involved?

Join , sign up for a couple of groups that interest you, and send & accept invitations to connect. Also consider volunteering as a mentor for The Meliora Collective.

Is there anything else you糖心传媒檇 like to share?

I also recommend signing up for announcements from , a great 糖心传媒-based publication dedicated to topical research news from leading universities across the country and around the world.

Meet young alumna Gabrielle Dimoff 糖心传媒�18

Tell us about your time as a student (favorite classes, clubs, memories, etc.)

At Rochester, I was a chemical engineering major and I participated in the Off Broadway On Campus club, was a Senior EcoRep, and ran the Dining Services Instagram among other things. My friends often commented that I participated in so many things they had trouble keeping track. Some of my favorite non-chemical engineering classes were the American Sign Language (ASL) classes and a class on Ice Cores. My favorite memories are studying and hanging out with my chemical engineering friends. We all lived on campus all four years, often lived close to each other, and studied in the ITS (BEFORE the renovation). I’ll admit the renovated ITS is much nicer but lost some nostalgia.

How did your experience at the University of Rochester influence your life?

I am thankful to Rochester for providing me a quality education and the tools I needed to succeed in the workplace, but what I am most thankful for is the life-long friends. I am still close with my friends from Rochester and will be a bridesmaid in one of their weddings this October!

What inspired you to get involved and volunteer?

I had no idea that Rochester had alumni groups outside of Rochester and New York, so when I heard about the Chicago group, I had to join. I was just so excited to reconnect with people from Rochester. The first couple events I went to, I basked in the ability to tell Rochester specific tales and reminisce about things I糖心传媒檝e missed. When I talk to other Rochester students, I often recall stories or people or classes I haven糖心传媒檛 thought of in a while. Reconnecting with Rochester alumni helps me reconnect with my past experiences – it糖心传媒檚 amazing.

What are you looking forward to next?

I am excited about planning the upcoming Global Days of Service Chicago-based volunteer sites and the Explore Chicago event. They are the next two events for the Chicago Alumni network and take place in the fall.

What advice do you have for others looking to get involved?

My advice to others looking to get involved is to that the different Regional Networks organize. They are easy ways to get involved and meet alumni since you can participate from anywhere. My first alumni event was a virtual one where they sent us painting supplies and had an artist give us a painting lesson while teaching about sea creatures.

This first-year, first-generation student was drawn to Rochester糖心传媒檚 mission: to make the world ever better

Malaika Perkins 糖心传媒�26

Malaika Perkins糖心传媒攁 first-generation, first-year student at Rochester and the Women糖心传媒檚 Network糖心传媒檚 third-ever scholarship recipient糖心传媒攈as always loved learning. In her first year of high school, she signed up for Chinese because she thought it sounded interesting. In her senior year, she became captain of her debate team and was even her region糖心传媒檚 runner-up debater of the year in 2022. In the summer before starting college, Perkins interned with the Economics Awareness Council of Chicago, an opportunity she sought out for herself.

Perkins is also a self-described bookworm. When she was younger, she soaked up Nancy Drew books. She糖心传媒檇 often lose track of time in the library, too, sometimes hiding books on the shelves with the pages marked so she could return to them the next day. Her mother recognized her middle child糖心传媒檚 academic inclination and nurtured it. She even moved the family from Chicago to a suburb when Perkins was seven years old so that she and her siblings could have more access to and opportunities for academic success.

糖心传媒淓lementary school was tough,糖心传媒� says Perkins. 糖心传媒淭he teachers and students were mostly white, and I was almost always the only Black person in the room. Often, people were surprised I was as smart as I was.糖心传媒�

In high school, Perkins joined the program, which provides a dedicated support team and free resources to high-achieving underrepresented, first-generation students and helps prepare them for college success.

Finding Rochester

When it came time to find a college, Perkins wanted to go where she could excel academically while feeling supported as a person of color. She heard about Rochester from her Schuler Scholar program advisor. 糖心传媒淚 was drawn to Rochester糖心传媒檚 open curriculum and the variety of support available, for instance, through the Office of Minority Students Affairs [OMSA],糖心传媒� she says. 糖心传媒淩ochester糖心传媒檚 commitment to Meliora and making the world 糖心传媒榚ver better糖心传媒� also resonated with me and aligned with my values.糖心传媒�

Right now, Perkins plans to major in economics. She糖心传媒檚 particularly interested in the relationship between economics, philosophy, and political science. She wants to use her degree to make her communities stronger, especially underrepresented ones. 糖心传媒淪omeday, I imagine going back to Chicago, not as a financial advisor at a big firm working with wealthy clients, but at a not-for-profit that serves people from the kinds of neighborhoods I grew up in,糖心传媒� she adds.

Her college experience

At Rochester, Perkins is discovering new academic areas of interest, too, for instance, she糖心传媒檚 learning American Sign Language, which she thinks she糖心传媒檒l minor in. When she糖心传媒檚 not in class, Perkins is likely in one of the River Campus study areas or working through assignments in the Barbara J. Burger iZone, where she enjoys collaborating with friends.

Perkins wakes early (especially for a college student), often before 8 a.m. so she can attend an in-person or virtual Koru mindfulness session before classes. Then, throughout the day, Perkins goes to classes and visits her professors during their office hours. 糖心传媒淭hey have all been so willing to further explain concepts and share their knowledge,糖心传媒� she says. 糖心传媒淚 love that I am making connections with them.糖心传媒�

Perkins has participated in a variety of student groups, too, including the Financial Consulting Club, the ASL Club, and the on-campus Christian fellowship. The Black Students Union has also been a great source of support, as has her OMSA advisor, who happens to be from Chicago.

During her first week on campus, Perkins attended an event to introduce students to Black River Campus staff. That糖心传媒檚 when she met , a post-doctoral fellow with joint appointments at the Warner School and the Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African American Studies. 糖心传媒淧rofessor Brown researches and teaches about building an inclusive environment,糖心传媒� she says. 糖心传媒淔or instance, his classes explore important topics such as critical race theory, an area I am particularly interested in.”

Aspirations and gratitude

During her college years, Perkins aspires to get an internship every summer. She wants to study abroad, too, and has found an ASL program in France for next spring that she糖心传媒檚 eyeing. Although she糖心传媒檚 taking in every opportunity she can, she does miss home糖心传媒攅specially her 10-year old black lab, Sheba. 糖心传媒淟uckily though, every week, therapy dogs come to campus through the Paws for Stress Relief program,糖心传媒� she adds. 糖心传媒淚 just love that.糖心传媒�

Perkins is honored to be the Women糖心传媒檚 Network糖心传媒檚 third-ever scholarship recipient. 糖心传媒淚t feels good to be supported by alumni whose experiences here prompted them to invest in students like me,糖心传媒� she says. 糖心传媒淚糖心传媒檓 very thankful.糖心传媒�

Photo: Matt Wittmeyer

Learn about the Women糖心传媒檚 Network糖心传媒檚 first two scholars: Raina Plaisir 糖心传媒�25 and Angelica Persaud 糖心传媒�25.

Amanda White 糖心传媒�17S (MBA) (right) with fellow Simon grads Aileen Hayman 糖心传媒�17S (MBA) (left) and Tanisha Howell 糖心传媒�17S (MBA) (center)

Tell us about your time as a student.

I had so many fun times as a student, though the best memories I had were not in class! I remember eating chocolate with my classmates while doing a case study about chocolate manufacturing (this was required to better understand the product糖心传媒� at least that糖心传媒檚 how I justified the trip to Wegmans!), but I also loved working until midnight trying to build decks for a case competition. And of course, using Simon study rooms at night to play games.

How did your experience at the University of Rochester influence your life?聽

Some of my best friends who I see almost every weekend came from my time at Simon, and my first job out of school came from the strong connection that the Simon program had with my first employer.

What inspired you to get involved and volunteer?

I was active during my time at Simon in the Graduate Business Council, so carrying it forward after grad school just made sense! So much of the Simon experience is shaped by our time with the staff, alumni, or cohorts, so now is my chance to make others feel welcomed in the same way.

What糖心传媒檚 the most rewarding part of staying connected with your Business School alma mater?聽

The most rewarding part is that I know I can help others feel like they are welcome in a new city, place, or event. Another bonus is that I can meet new people who can truly understand why I felt the need the bring my out-of-town guests to a fancy grocery store (my non-Rochesterian friends just don’t understand).

What are you looking forward to next?聽

Immediately, I’m looking forward to the Eastman School of Music Centennial Celebration in Chicago on April 26^th, but I’m really eager to start brainstorming new ideas for the summer.

What advice do you have for others looking to get involved?聽

Getting involved is as much or as little as you want it to be. Going to events is being involved; texting others an invite is being involved; and so is helping to brainstorm and plan events. Choose what level you think you can do and start there.

Meet Nodi Bui 糖心传媒�21S (MBA), a recent graduate now in the Chicago Network

Nodi Bui 糖心传媒�21S (MBA)

What was your time like as a student at Simon?

During my time at the University of Rochester, I made many friends who I am still in touch with today. It was a tough year when in-person events were limited because of COVID. Thus, once it became more open, we went to every event and enjoyed all the talks and drinks. The school is very diverse I got to meet people from different cultures. I had a lot of fun going to potluck nights when each of us would bring our own cultural food.

How did your experience at the University of Rochester influence your life?聽

The education and professional network lead to a great job after graduation. Moreover, being surrounded by intelligent and supportive peers at school, I became more confident in networking with people in my desired professional field.

What糖心传媒檚 the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

Two things: Professional support and friendship. School officials still provide me with job and immigration resources when necessary, and classmates and alumni are always more than willing to help with career advice and opportunities. After graduation, I moved to Chicago by myself and thanks to my two Simon classmates, I didn糖心传媒檛 feel lonely in the new city.

What advice do you have for others looking to get involved?

Don糖心传媒檛 be afraid of reaching out to people around you with questions. You will learn a lot from those conversations. Participate in clubs, go to social events, and make friends – because those will the best memories on which you can reminisce in the future.

The Piaker Family Scholarship was established as part of the Nataraj Challenge, which began during the University糖心传媒檚 Together for Rochester campaign. In just one year, the Nataraj Challenge raised $2.6 million and created 22 new, endowed scholarships糖心传媒攊ncluding this one糖心传媒攊n support of the University始s Inclusive Engagement goals.

Growing up about an hour north of Chicago in a small town called Round Lake, Alan Jimenez 糖心传媒�25 aspired to go to college, especially after an eighth grade field trip to a local campus. Watching the students there allowed him to imagine himself as a college student someday.

Jimenez糖心传媒檚 parents糖心传媒擬exican immigrants糖心传媒攚anted him to go to college, too. Getting a scholarship helped make it possible for him to attend the University of Rochester, Jimenez糖心传媒檚 top choice. 糖心传媒淢y parents always emphasized academics,糖心传媒� he says. 糖心传媒淭o this day, they continue to motivate me糖心传媒攎y mom even sends me daily motivation texts.糖心传媒�

In his senior year of high school, Jimenez learned about the University from his school counselor. 糖心传媒淚 was really intrigued by the Rochester Curriculum and that I could dive deeply into my major and still have room in my schedule to explore other interests,糖心传媒� he adds.

Jimenez糖心传媒檚 first class in computer science is both challenging and inspiring. He and a classmate are creating a Super Mario-like video game for their capstone project this semester糖心传媒攁n effort that Jimenez describes as both 糖心传媒渇un and hard.糖心传媒�

Besides delving into computer programming, Jimenez is already exploring new interests both in and outside the classroom. His love of music prompted him to sign up for a music class. He糖心传媒檚 learning about treble and bass and what kinds of chords complement various melodies. He loves it so much he糖心传媒檚 considering trying an instrument for the first time. While fluent in English and Spanish, he糖心传媒檚 also hoping to learn another language during these four years.

When he糖心传媒檚 not in class, Jimenez can typically be found studying in the Gleason Library or Carlson Library or exercising in the gym. He糖心传媒檚 been a part of soccer and volleyball intramurals, and he enjoys pickup dodgeball games on Saturday nights.

Recently, Jimenez met his scholarship donors, the Piakers, via Zoom. 糖心传媒淲e talked about how the campus has changed, their advice for getting through final exams, and sights to see in New York City, as I糖心传媒檓 planning a trip with some of my new college friends soon. It糖心传媒檚 amazing to me that they gave me a scholarship. They didn糖心传媒檛 even know me, yet they believed in me and wanted to support me. I can糖心传媒檛 thank them enough.糖心传媒�