Senior Spotlight: Kevin Kosciuk

Picture for my last home swim meet!

Name: Kevin Kosciuk

Hometown: Cheshire, CT

Major: Public Accounting

Graduation date: May 2015

Why did you choose Fordham? 

As a student in the business school, being close to the City was very important in making my decision. All of the other quality schools I looked at were not very close to any cities. Also, coming from the suburbs, I wanted to try something different by living close to NYC.

What clubs/organizations/internships have you been involved in? What has been your favorite experience? 

At Fordham I am a member of the varsity swim team and also a member in Beta Alpha Psi (Accounting Society). Outside of Fordham I have interned twice. Both of my internship experiences were great. I also look forward to my third internship this summer with Deloitte. My favorite experience has been being a part of the swim team at Fordham. It was a good experience to be a part of a team and having others as teammates but also as friends outside of competition.

What do you think is the best resource available to students on campus? 

Career services is the best resource available to students on campus. Although is it not a job placement center, they can always help you out the best they can and point you in the right direction as far as internships and possible job opportunities. They were the ones that fixed up my resume and suggested I join Beta Alpha Psi and that has really helped me throughout my time here at Fordham.

What is your favorite personal memory at Fordham? 

My favorite personal memory of Fordham is the first time that I stepped out on to Eddie’s the spring semester as a freshman. I thought that it was the coolest thing to see all of Fordham hanging out there.

Where is your favorite place to hang out at Fordham or in NYC?

Arthur Avenue is probably my favorite place to hang out around Fordham. The food and the markets in the area are all delicious and it is nice to live so close to it all.

What are your plans/goals/aspirations for post-graduation? 

Post-graduation, I will be attending graduate school for one year here at Fordham to get my Master’s Degree in Professional Accounting. I then aspire to start working for one of the “Big 4” accounting firms in New York.

Student Spotlight: Jane Hughes

Name: Jane Hughes 
Year: Junior 
Major: International Political Economy (IPE) 
Hometown: Oreland, PA 





1) What made you choose Fordham?

I chose Fordham because i didn't have to sacrifice a real campus for proximity to a city, and everything that goes along with it! For example, things to do, internships, not feeling cut off from the world in a small town college, etc.  

2) What are you involved in here at Fordham?

I'm on the FCA e-board, I work in Fordham Career Services, I used to play intramural sports, and I volunteer with the Generation Citizen club on campus.

3) Tell us more about FCA. 

FCA is the bridge between career services and students. It's made up of students and provides a really casual way to meet employers and successful alumni, and make friends with the people in Career Services (who are a HUGE resource to have at your fingertips - especially when they know you personally!)  FCA does a lot of different events that get students in contact with employers outside of the traditional interview-process (which is strictly career services' job), by doing this we take a lot of pressure off of both the student and employer which facilitates real connections that can be invaluable when you're looking for an internship/job.

4) What are FCA's big events for the semester? 

Yesterday we had a really successful "First Impressions Carnival" that introduces underclassmen to basic things like resume building and taking a LinkedIn picture for them.  In March, we are starting our recruitment phase - we have applicants interview with us to make sure they're the best representatives we can give employers from the Fordham student body. Towards the end of the semester, we're putting on our second annual Speed Networking Event, which is a really fun night that's set up like a regular speed dating event, but has about 10 employers from all different fields sit at tables while small groups of students get a chance to sit down with them and chat about anything for a couple of minutes. Last year we had a really big turn out from students and more employers requested to be a part of it than we could accommodate, so this year we're going even bigger!

5) Tell us about your internship! 

I'm interning with the Synergos Institute, a non profit founded by Peggy Rockefeller. It focuses on capacity-building in underdeveloped countries so that all of the aid programs we (and other NGO's) donate money to can become self-reliant and continue long after the donated money/resources has stopped coming. Our work puts the countries we help in control of their futures, instead of barging in and telling them what to do in terms of development.  I'm on the development team, which means I work with our donors to determine where their gifts are most needed, and the people who actually receive them. It's a very eye-opening internship, and no, I have never been asked to get coffee or make copies. 

6) Any advice for high school students deciding where they want to spend their next four years? 

Follow your dreams, this may take a lot of work, but it is definitely worth it! Don't be afraid, college is definitely a lot less scary than it may seem! 

To learn more about FCA click here! 

Senior Spotlight: Maureen McKenna

     Name: Maureen McKenna        

     Hometown: Parlin, NJ

     Major: Psychology, Sociology minor

     Graduation date: May 2015

     Why did you choose Fordham?

Fordham was the first school I fell in love with because it was so beautiful! As soon as I stepped onto the campus my junior year of high school I knew this was where I wanted to be. Fordham reminded me so much of home and I love that I am so close to the city! There are definitely so many opportunities available here because of the location.

     What clubs/organizations/internships have you been involved in? What has been your favorite experience?

      I am a member of the Varsity Swim Team where I have competed for the last 4 years. Since I am going into education, I have also been able to do a lot of volunteer experiences at different schools throughout the city. I have been a volunteer for Jumpstart for 2 years which is one of my favorite things to do. Jumpstart is a non-profit organization that partners with preschools in low income areas and trains college students to help children prepare for kindergarten. Twice a week for 2 hours each day my team and I go into the preschool classroom and read to the students, assist them with their writing skills, and do a bunch of other fun activities. It is so rewarding seeing how much we can impact the lives of the students! In addition to Jumpstart, I have also volunteered at PS 205, PS 54, Harry Gordon School, and the Bronx Charter School which are all in walking distance from Rose Hill. Currently, I volunteer at the Rebecca School for students with special needs in Manhattan. I love that I have been able to volunteer in a variety of different schools because it is really fascinating to see how their learning experiences differ from my own. It is always nice to be able to help children who need the most support.

     What do you think is the best resource available to students on campus?

      The Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice- I have found so many opportunities to become involved in the community, especially in the field of education.

     What is your favorite personal memory at Fordham?

I don’t think I have any specific memories, but I always love when my friends and I explore the city. We always try to go to the city on the weekends to eat, shop, or just walk around. The city is the perfect get-away from school work and there is always something new to do!

     Where is your favorite place to hang out at Fordham or in NYC?

Any restaurant on Arthur Ave! There is so much delicious Italian food around here!

     What are your plans/goals/aspirations for post-graduation?

     I am enrolled in the 5-Year Education Track at Fordham so this year I was able to integrate 4 graduate level courses into my schedule. I will finish next year at Lincoln Center with my Masters in Elementary Education and Special Education. Hopefully after next year I will be teaching somewhere in the city! 

Senior Spotlight: Nick Lopresto

     Name: Nicholas Lopresto

     Hometown: Jericho, Long Island (Nassau County)

     Major: Psychology/Pre-Med

     Graduation date: May 2015

     Why did you choose Fordham? I was actually between Fordham and Northeastern as my last two schools. I had gotten into NYU with some scholarship, but I hated that there was no campus feeling there and everyone basically commuted to class. I was planning on seeing Fordham and Northeastern in the same weekend, but I came to tour Fordham first because it was closer to my house. The second I stepped onto campus, I knew that this was my new home. I didn’t even end up going to the Northeastern tour! Fordham’s campus is so beautiful, and it’s amazing because you get the best of both worlds. Not only do you get the amazing trees and grass on campus, but also Manhattan is a short subway ride away. Also, the student body here at Fordham is so giving and compassionate, and it showed a lot in the way the students interacted with each other when I was on my tour.

     What clubs/organizations/internships have you been involved in? What has been your favorite experience? (Please explain!)

I have been involved in a lot here at Fordham. I would say the two biggest time commitments I have been involved in were the Ramblers and Mimes and Mummers. The Ramblers is Fordham’s only all male acapella group. We competed in ICCAs, got to sing at prestigious events all around NYC, and were even on TV to sing for the Columbus Day parade. I quit Ramblers about a year ago so that I could focus on my studies and eventually landed an internship at Bellevue Hospital called PAVERS. One of the reasons I love Fordham is it’s close proximity to the city. I go to the hospital once a week from 8pm-12 am and I get to see so much in the emergency room at Bellevue. When I’m not volunteering at the hospital, I am usually doing research in the Neuroscience department under the supervision of Amy Roy. Finally, I was recently cast as “Angel” in the Mimes and Mummers’ production of RENT which will open February 26^th and run through March 1^st.  All the clubs I have been involved in at Fordham have been so unique and enriching. The people here are truly motivated and passionate about what they’re doing, and I don’t think that necessarily holds true for other colleges.

     What do you think is the best resource available to students on campus

      I think the library here is fantastic. First of all, it is so beautiful and whenever I am in it I never feel like studying is that much of a chore. The librarians are very helpful and I often frequent the library to print papers, take out books, and make copies.

     What is your favorite personal memory at Fordham?

I think my favorite Fordham memory is probably when 3LAU came for Spring Weekend two years ago. I just remember feeling so amazing when everyone was together dancing in the parking lot, and it was right after my Ramblers concert so there were good vibes going all around. I think Spring Weekends in general are my favorite Fordham memories.

     Where is your favorite place to hang out at Fordham or in NYC? (Keep appropriate).

As I said before, Fordham has so much to offer. Not only do you have all of the Bronx to conquer, but you are so close to NYC that there are endless options. In the Bronx, I love to go to Arthur Avenue with my friends for dinner and go to the countless bakeries for their amazing coffee and Italian pastries. In the city, I love to see Broadway shows or I usually like to go shopping in SOHO.

     What are your plans/goals/aspirations for post-graduation?

     After graduation, I intend on taking a gap year before applying to medical school. I have already completed my MCAT and my Fordham Committee application, so now it’s just a matter of applying to medical schools and waiting to hear back! Fordham has been so helpful with my application and I really feel like I am ready to conquer medical school and succeed as a future physician.

Senior Spotlight: Alice Smyth

Name: Alice Smyth

Hometown: Yonkers, New York (Westchester County)

Major: Business Administration; Dual Specializations: Marketing/Communications & Media

Graduation date: May 2015 (Wow! **Cross your Fingers**)

The Taj Mahal!

Why did you choose Fordham?
I originally was auditioning for music schools hoping to major in voice performance, but then I changed my mind and thought that business was a more realistic route. I never gave Fordham University the credit it deserved because it was so close to home for me. Although during the summer going into my senior year of high school I visited Rose Hill and just felt so comfortable and at home. It was a gorgeous campus and I was laughing to myself thinking that this could be the school for me and it was only 10 minutes away from home. Fordham then gave me a decent financial aid package, I got into the business school, and I decided that commuting to Fordham would save my family a lot of money. So I chose Fordham and Fordham chose me. I’m glad it worked out this way. 

What clubs/organizations/internships have you been involved in? What has been your favorite experience?
There are definitely so many clubs/organizations/internships that I have been apart of and still there are so many more that I want to get involved with! Here are just some of the few things that I have done during my time at Fordham…

ORGANIZATIONS: New Student Orientation (Coordinator/Captain/Leader); Commuter Assistant (CA); Senior Week (Committee/Volunteer); Commuting Students Association (CSA); Campus Activities Board (CAB)

CLUBS: Fordham Women’s Choir; Intramurals (Softball, Soccer, Flag Football, Volleyball; Dodgeball; Basketball); Fashion for Philanthropy; Ballroom Dance; Fordham Marketing Association; Students for Fair Trade

INTERNSHIPS: NBCUniversal: Sprout Marketing Intern; Fordham University New Student Orientation Marketing Coordinator; Fordham Sodexo Marketing Intern; Sarah Hall Productions, Inc.; The Ursuline School Advancement Office; Pentacle (DanceWorks, Inc.); Westchester County Board of Legislators

Miscellaneous: Leadership Weekend (Presenter ‘15/Attendee ‘14); Emmaus 113; Entrepreneurship & Fair Trade Service Trip – India; Study Tour – Tokyo, Japan; Study Abroad: Spring 2013 – London, England; NJSLC 2013 – (National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference); NACA 2012– (National Association for Campus Activities);

JOBS: Freelance Harpist “Angels Aren’t the Only Ones Who Play the Harp”™ 

Contact me for your next event! I can sing, play the harp, and even emcee!

What do you think is the best resource available to students on campus? 
I think that the best resource available to students on campus is Career Services. I received two of my internships thanks to the Career Services’ job and internship database. They are constantly striving to improve their services for students and alumni. I appreciate the many opportunities they provide for students, whether it is résumé help, weekly email blasts, career fairs and on-campus job interviews. In a world where it seems to be turning into who you know rather than what you know, it’s always good to have a well functioning Career Services department that is willing to help one network and connect with all the right people.

What is your favorite personal memory at Fordham? 
My favorite personal memory at Fordham was a Saturday back in either February or March 2014. I had stayed over my friend’s apartment the night before and we spent the entire Saturday doing whatever we felt like. It was a beautiful, sunny, cold day. We first ventured to the Botanical Gardens and took a nice stroll/hike/run. We decided to take the roads less traveled and trudged through the snowy paths. After our walk we worked up an appetite and decided to venture to Arthur Avenue for something to eat. We went to the Arthur Avenue Market and got these delicious sandwiches and a rice ball from Mike’s Deli; mine was the Paula Deen. Both the market and Arthur avenue was so vibrant on a Saturday with both Fordham students and visitors alike shopping, eating, and enjoying a good ole Saturday in the Bronx. Then we were heading back to Fordham when we passed Simon’s Deli, both looked at each other and agreed that a Nutella milkshake was a must! We brought all our food back to campus, sat down on the steps closest to the McGinley Student Center overlooking Eddies and Keating and all was good in the world.

Where is your favorite place to hang out at Fordham or in NYC?
My favorite place to hang out at Fordham is…Eddies! Wow! Who would’ve thought? Eddies is just the center of Fordham. Although I definitely don’t think I get to take advantage of it too much because I’m either studying or working, when I get the chance I appreciate every moment. Just sitting on the lovely green patch of grass (depending on what season) looking at Keating is one of the many things Fordham is all about. This past summer while working on New Student Orientation, I vividly remember not leaving McGinley until 12am at night. Happily enough someone had given me a free slice of pizza while I was walking out of the office. I took my pizza, all my bags and plopped myself right smack down in the middle of Eddies. The stars were out, it was quiet (except for the spraying of the sprinklers) and the lights on Keating were set just right. It is in these type of moments when I say, “Wow, I’m pretty lucky.” How often will I get to be on Fordham’s campus just relaxing on Eddie’s without a care in the world?

London and Big Ben

What are your plans/goals/aspirations for post-graduation?
My plans/goals/aspirations for post-graduation life is a good question. I want to do it all! I will be a motivational speaker and a positivity guru. I will become the next Oprah and create my own personal brand. Hopefully in a few years or so I will have my own talk show where I will get to discuss everything and anything that will motivate people in their own lives. People will talk to each other and say, “Oh did you catch that segment on Alice today?” For my show, I can then invite all my entertaining, intelligent friends who studied different subjects on as my expert in specific topics I’ll cover. It’s all about connections and networking! I will inspire people to go out and do what they love and I would love to do all this while seeing the world. Thanks to a semester study abroad trip to London and taking advantage of a study tour to Japan and a service trip to India while at Fordham, there are still so many more places in the world with so many more people I would like to meet.

Senior Spotlight: Savannah Coe

Swimming and Diving Headshot

Name: Savannah Coe

Hometown: Auburn, WA

Major: Biology and Psychology

Graduation date: May 2015

Why did you choose Fordham? During my senior year of high school, I was recruited by Fordham to join the Fordham Women’s Swim and Dive team. I had never even been out to the East Coast before, so the idea of moving 3000 miles away from home was a little daunting. But when I came to visit Fordham the campus was so beautiful and the school was what I wanted both academically and athletically that I decided this was the right school for me.

What clubs/organizations/internships have you been involved in? What has been your favorite experience? During the last four years I have volunteered at Montefiore Children’s Hospital, St. Barnabas Hospital, and the Bronx AIDS Society. I also helped perform genetics research at the Botanical Gardens. However, my favorite experience has been as a member of Peer Health Exchange (PHE). PHE members are trained to teach workshops about various health topics to ninth graders in the local public high schools. I joined the club my sophomore year and have worked my way up to become one of the leaders this year. It is really rewarding to teach a class when the students are engaged and you can tell that they are really soaking in all of the information. Plus, it is a great way to travel around the Bronx and see different areas.

Spring weekend: music, friends, and food!

What do you think is the best resource available to students on campus? I think career services is one of the best resources available to students on campus.

What is your favorite personal memory at Fordham? One of the best weekends at Fordham every year is spring weekend. My sophomore year was especially good because we had great weather and on Saturday Andy Grammer and Grouplove had great performances. Who doesn’t love a weekend full of concerts and free food?!

Where is your favorite place to hang out at Fordham or in NYC? It may be a cliché, but I love hanging out in Central Park when I have some free time to relax. Generally that only really happens in the summer, but it is a great place to workout, relax, or escape the noise of the city.

What are your plans/goals/aspirations for post-graduation? My plans are to attend medical school, but right now I am still waiting for acceptances so I’m keeping my fingers crossed! 

From South Africa to Fordham: Meet Meishanka-Tyla Moodley

Meishanka-Tyla Moodley. 

Major: Public Accounting

Graduation Year: 2015

Where are you originally from and how did you decide to come to Fordham?

I am of Indian heritage but was born and raised in Durban, South Africa.  I am part of the third generation of Indians that have been in South Africa.  I decided to come to Fordham firstly because it was in my dream city - New York.  I had already visited New York on a high school trip the year before I headed out here for college and had fallen in love with the city.  I knew that that I had to live here for a few years; I couldn’t get enough.  I had heard great things about Fordham University, but I specifically chose Fordham for its well-known Jesuit foundation.  I had grown up in a Christian home and had gone to a Christian school my whole life so I knew that I would feel comfortable in a place that instilled similar traditions and values. 

Tell us a little bit about the international community and the orientation for international students.

There is a larger international community in Fordham than I had originally thought.  That is one of the many things I love about New York is that full of people from all over the world so there is such a variety of culture.  I think the international community relates to each other here on a certain level because we have all been through the culture change/assimilation and all face the same difficulties of leaving home and everything we know for better opportunities.  My international orientation as a freshman was pretty different since I came to Fordham mid-semester, but I think the orientation process that Fordham has in place now for international students is just getting better and better and has overall really benefited the students here. 

What are some extra circulars you have become involved with?

Well when I first got to Fordham, like most freshmen, I was involved with as many clubs as I could be.  By sophomore year, I started to focus on the Fashion for Philanthropy Club, which was something that I am really loved and enjoyed.  I eventually also joined Beta Alpha Psi, a finance and accounting chapter that has benefitted me in my field of Accounting.  I have gained many connections through the club and as a result have held some internship positions.  Those opportunities have really contributed to my education on the business life in New York City that has helped me excel in my career.  However, my most important, favorite, and most time –consuming extracurricular activity is definitely my Resident Assistant position at Fordham University.  I have been an RA for 2 years now and will continue to be one as I complete my fifth year (CPA).  I applied to be an RA in my junior year because I really wanted to me more involved on campus.  I love the position; I get the chance to positively influence and assist students on a daily basis.  College involves the same ups and downs for everyone. Some students are just further away from home than others, but we all face similar challenges.  Going through those experiences myself being 8,000 miles away from my home, I knew I could help other people that are going through that. 

What is your favorite thing about Fordham?

I love the feel and culture of the campus; it’s just so beautiful.  I also love that I get the best of both worlds living on the Rose Hill Campus.  I experience the busy city life and the serenity of this amazing campus at the same time.  I really love the community and the friendly culture that Fordham has built here. The culture is great and allows me to meet new people everyday.

What is your favorite thing about New York?

The benefits of New York being such an attractive and major city of the world, is that everyone from everywhere wants to come here.  I’ve met people from all over the place and learned something from each individual that I have encountered here.  Everyone has a different story to tell; it’s very exciting. 

Anything else you would like to share with international students who are considering Fordham?

I say they should definitely go for it! Yes, it is difficult being away from your home, your family, and everything you know, but I have to say that I have no regrets.  I would have never thought that I would have learned or experienced this much in 4 years! It has been life changing.  Fordham University has played an essential role in making me into the person I am today.  I have been exposed to so many opportunities and I am glad that I made the best of them.  Attending a school like this has been an honor.