Playing football, hiking with his dog Montecarlo, hitting the gym and vacationing in the Caribbean islands — these are some of the ways Daniel enjoys spending his time off. At work, he feels fortunate to share his personal experience as a St. Thomas Aquinas College alumnus with students who are considering continuing their education at the college in his role as an admissions counselor. “Students need help figuring out which colleges match their goals and values, understand what’s required for applications, and getting support to manage the stress that comes with the process,” says Daniel, who graduated in 2021. “Through personalized guidance and support, I help students navigate the application process seamlessly, ensuring that they discover the distinct advantages of being part of our educational community.”
Some of the most common questions prospective students ask Daniel are “How is campus life?” and “What kind of sports do you have?” He’s happy to address these and many more, drawing from his own experiences as a student athlete and communication arts major (with a focus on the social and interactive media track) who also minored in marketing.
Daniel says that the College’s personalized learning environment, strong community atmosphere, location close to New York City and vast networking opportunities were among the reasons he applied to the college. And, of course, another big draw was the the men’s football team, which he played on throughout his college career.
Daniel not only brings to his admissions role the experience of an alumnus, but also the professional experience he gained in his previous appointment as a counselor in the Office of Student Success. In that position, which he held for nearly two years, Daniel provided students with academic counseling and planning services, advised them during the registration process and served as an application administrator for the Navigate platform.
He moved on to his position in admissions because he says, “it’s rewarding talking to potential St. Thomas Aquinas College students and seeing them come to the open house and see what the College is really about. I want to enhance the admissions experience for students by effectively showcasing the unique opportunities, vibrant community and academic excellence that our college offers.”