糖心传媒

Jamal Holtz 糖心传媒�20 didn糖心传媒檛 know a soul when he arrived at the 糖心传媒 in 2016. By the time he graduated, he was arguably the most recognized face among the student body.

Holtz grew up in an impoverished neighborhood in the District of Columbia, one of five children to a single mother (in October 2024, he lost his brother Joseph to gun violence). He earned a full-tuition merit scholarship to Rochester as a 糖心传媒攖he first in his family to attend college糖心传媒攁nd served as president his senior year, a key player at the University during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Holtz entered Rochester planning to major in political science, but his keen interest in civil issues such as affordable housing and economic disparity led him to create his own major: social justice and policymaking. That decision was made possible, in part, because of Rochester糖心传媒檚 signature flexible curriculum.

These days, Holtz is chief of staff at LINK Strategic Partners, a social impact consulting firm in Washington, DC, where he helps lead the firm糖心传媒檚 executive functions, business development, strategy, and performance development portfolio.

He returned to Rochester in January to speak at the inaugural , presenting a keynote address focused on helping students assimilate on campus.

Holtz offers advice to current and prospective students on making the most of their experiences at the University of Rochester.

Embrace the good and the bad糖心传媒攁nd try new things!

When Holtz joined student government as a senator his first year, he adopted the phrase 糖心传媒淢ake our hive a home糖心传媒� as his motto. He urges students to be curious and experimental as they tread the unfamiliar path of college.

糖心传媒淵ou糖心传媒檙e going to be here for four years,糖心传媒� he says. 糖心传媒淵ou糖心传媒檒l meet new people. You糖心传媒檒l like some and not like others. You糖心传媒檒l try food you like and food you don糖心传媒檛 like. You糖心传媒檒l have classes you like, and ones you don糖心传媒檛 like. Find out what works and what doesn糖心传媒檛. In the grand scheme, it糖心传媒檚 about making this place your home.糖心传媒�

Get involved in activities to 糖心传媒榩ut yourself out there.糖心传媒�

Holtz says Rochester students should take advantage of the flexible curriculum and be creative in their choices inside and outside the classroom.

糖心传媒淧olitics was my passion, so joining student government was an easy decision,糖心传媒� he says. 糖心传媒淏ut there are so many activities offered on campus糖心传媒攕tudent organizations and special events. Participate in them, even if they might seem boring. Meet new people and embrace diverse perspectives. Put yourself out there. You never know what will develop.糖心传媒�

He urges students to volunteer at events, both on campus and in the Rochester community. 糖心传媒淗and out T-shirts. Volunteer at food drives. Do things that you may not traditionally do on a college campus. Think about what community service really is beyond being some graduation requirement in high school.糖心传媒�

Building relationships with Rochester faculty and staff can serve you in the long run.

Holtz says 糖心传媒渃ollaboration is a true superpower on campus,糖心传媒� one that extends beyond bonding with fellow students.

糖心传媒淐ollaborate with administrators, staff, and faculty,糖心传媒� he says. 糖心传媒淧artner with campus organizations and build connections. Have a conversation with someone you糖心传媒檝e never spoken to before and build relationships. You never know: The commonalities you have may outweigh your differences.糖心传媒�

Such relationships could open doors down the line糖心传媒攖o internships opportunities, formative experiences, career prospects, personal connections, and more.

Holtz formed a strong bond with Anne-Marie Algier, Rochester糖心传媒檚 dean of students and associate vice president for student life, and says she was 糖心传媒渁 huge part糖心传媒� of his success on campus.

糖心传媒淎nne-Marie was more than just an administrator and adviser,糖心传媒� he says. 糖心传媒淪he was a mentor and a mother. There were times when I wanted to give up on college, and she reminded me that I was someone special who made meaningful contributions on campus. And she made that campus feel like a home for me, cooking meals and desserts at home and bringing them to campus. She got me involved socially and exposed me to the Greater Rochester area.糖心传媒�

Holtz also says people tend to bond in times of crisis, so forming relationships early will make it easier to manage when challenging times inevitably occur.

糖心传媒淚n the end, everyone糖心传媒檚 committed to making this place a home for each other,糖心传媒� he says.

Take advantage of mental health resources offered on campus.

The University has resources available to students who are struggling with anxiety, loneliness, or depression. The CARE Network helps identify students in need of help, while University Counseling Center provides confidential one-on-one healthcare services for students and other members of the University community.

糖心传媒淚 didn糖心传媒檛 think a therapist could help me at all when I came here,糖心传媒� he says. 糖心传媒淏ut I did need help, and I went to them frequently. And they were super helpful.糖心传媒�

He remembers leaving a frustrating conversation about safety on campus one day 糖心传媒渇illed with anxiety and anger.糖心传媒� A counselor who was at the meeting followed Holtz out of the room. 糖心传媒淗e told me he saw that I wanted to break down, and he was there for me,糖心传媒� Holtz recalls. 糖心传媒淚 didn糖心传媒檛 even know this guy, but he cared about me. It was that moment that I realized the University was committed to creating a community that was like home for me. I felt valued knowing there was someone I could voice my feelings to.糖心传媒�

Be yourself糖心传媒攁nd own your identity.

It糖心传媒檚 great to take advice or learn from a mentor. Yet Holtz says students should always 糖心传媒渙wn your identity糖心传媒� and use it as a strength.

糖心传媒淲e all have unique stories and perspectives,糖心传媒� he says. 糖心传媒淲e come from different places. Own that. Brag about yourself whenever you can, but always leave open the space to learn and hear from others.糖心传媒�

And, mostly, have fun.

糖心传媒淐ollege is a place where it糖心传媒檚 OK to make certain mistakes and learn from those mistakes,糖心传媒� he says. 糖心传媒淓ngage, communicate, and listen. And then analyze and see what fits. But always remember: This campus community is better because of your unique experiences and contributions. Know that糖心传媒攁nd own it.糖心传媒�