What was your first impression of your campus?
Maria (Rose Hill): I originally wanted to go to Lincoln Center, but I ended up loving Rose Hill. I like that Fordham is one school with two campuses.
Arianna (Lincoln Center): I knew I wanted to be in the city. I liked that Lincoln Center is in Manhattan but has a plaza in the middle so we’re all connected.

What’s your favorite thing about your sister’s campus?
Maria (Rose Hill): Obviously my sister is at Lincoln Center, so I love it for that. I take the Ram Van down, and then we just hop on the subway and go wherever we need to go.
Arianna (Lincoln Center): The cafeteria. They have smoothies that we don’t have here.

What’s your major? 
Maria (Rose Hill): I actually just recently decided I want to do a communications major with a business minor.
Arianna (Lincoln Center): I’m really not sure, but hopefully by next year I’ll have it figured out. When I applied I thought communications, but I’m still undecided.

What’s your favorite class so far?
Maria (Rose Hill): The Texts and Contexts class I’m taking right now: Women in Early Modern Drama, with Professor Boyda Johnstone.
Arianna (Lincoln Center): Fundamentals of Communication and Media Studies, with Professor Kevin Gotkin. He made the class really interesting.

Are you in any clubs on campus?
Maria (Rose Hill): I’m Greek, so I’m part of Hellenic Society, which is the Greek club. We recently had Greek Night, so my sister and I got to dance in that.
Arianna (Lincoln Center): FLASH magazine combines my love of media and fashion. I’m also in Hellenic Society. And I really want to go on a Global Outreach project.

What has your most rewarding experience been during your first year?
Maria (Rose Hill): Definitely Greek Night; it was so much fun.
Arianna (Lincoln Center): Living on my own and having to do things for myself, like buying food and doing laundry.

What’s your favorite thing to do on your days off? 
Maria (Rose Hill): I would say sleep, but I feel like Arianna would say that. Other than that, watch Netflix
Arianna (Lincoln Center): Sleep.

What’s the most touristy thing you’ve done in New York?
Maria (Rose Hill): Broadway. My favorite show right now is Dear Evan Hansen.
Arianna (Lincoln Center): Probably going to Top of the Rock or to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

—Emily Mendez

Through the two organizations, these alumni have been placed in one- to two-year positions in nonprofit and community resource organizations like schools, faith-based centers, food banks, and homeless shelters, where they work directly with the local population to address myriad social, educational, and environmental concerns. It’s this immediacy that past Fordham volunteers say creates such a strong bond between Jesuit Volunteers (JVs) and the local community.

“Our JVs are fully committed to living intentionally and authentically in relationship with those on the margins of society,” says Tim Shriver, president of JVC.

Each year, members of the Fordham community complete more than 1 million hours of volunteer work in New York City and throughout the world—a commitment recognized earlier this year by Washington Monthly, which ranked the University No. 28 in the country in service, educating students who give back to society. Besides JVC, Fordham alumni are also strongly represented in the Peace Corps, with 15 alumni currently serving worldwide and a total of 446 having served in the Corps since it was founded in 1961.

The alumni now serving as Jesuit Volunteers majored in various subjects at Fordham, including mathematics, English, psychology, environmental policy, philosophy, and humanitarian studies. But despite their diverse interests, they all share the same drive for creating positive change.

Since 1977, 220 Fordham alumni have served with JVC. Here is a complete list of Fordham graduates who are beginning their service as Jesuit Volunteers this year:

Jesuit Volunteer Corps
Deborah Adewale, FCLC ’15, St. Francis Mission, St. Francis, South Dakota
Anna Teresa (Tessa) Bloechl, FCRH ’16, St. Peter Claver High School, Dodoma, Tanzania
Chris Boland, FCRH ’16, St. Matthew Catholic School, Phoenix, Arizona
Julia Casey, FCRH ’16, South Bay Community Services, San Diego, California
Sarah Champlin, FCRH ’16, Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School, Camden, New Jersey
Clare Deck, FCRH ’16, Casa Marianella, Austin, Texas
Katelyn (Kate) Dooley, FCRH ’16, Catholic Charities Community Services, Phoenix, Arizona
Anthony (AJ) Golio, FCRH ’16, Harry Tompson Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Kathryn (Grace) Hulseman, FCRH ’16, Hand in Hand Ministries, Belize City, Belize
Shannon Marcoux, FCRH ’16, Xavier High School, Chuuk-Xavier, Micronesia
Madeline Ping, FCRH ’16, St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, Tucson, Arizona
Matt Rogacki, FCRH ’16, My Friend’s Place, Los Angeles, California
Gianna Sciangula, FCLC ’15, Link Community Charter School, Newark, New Jersey

Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest
Carolyn Ambrosich, FCRH ’16, Second Harvest, Spokane, Washington
Elaine (Laney) Danielczyk, FCRH ’16, Low Income Housing Institute/Urban Rest Stop, Seattle, Washington
Mark Espina, FCRH ’16, Catholic Charities of Spokane, Spokane, Washington
Cara McClane, FCRH ’16, Catholic Community Services, Tacoma, Washington
Alyssa Melendez, FCRH ’16, Gorge Grown Food Network, Hood River, Oregon
Emily Tormey, FCRH ’16, Recovery Café, Seattle, Washington

—Emily Mendez

What inspired you to change careers?
Baking had always been a passion of mine, but originally I had no intention of turning it into my profession. My first job after graduation was as a publicist. Then the economy crashed in 2008, and when everybody was getting laid off, I lost my job. I looked at my options and decided to take a risk: I made baking my career.

How did you get your first job in a restaurant?
The restaurant industry is fairly easy to enter from the ground up, even without previous experience, as long as you have talent and a strong work ethic. My first pastry job was a combination of my ability to sell my talent, a chef who liked me and had an immediate need for a pastry cook, and being at the right place at the right time.

What made you decide to start your own bakery?
When you’re working in a restaurant, you’re part of a team, and there are so many channels that everything has to go through. It’s not only about creating a menu you like and putting it out there; you have to please your executive chef, your managers, and the owner. Everything has to be cost effective, and that means you can’t always serve the things that you would want to serve. And because I’ve always really liked healthy food, I felt a little bit guilty about that. That’s why I decided that I needed my own space.

What was it like starting your own business?
It’s a long process. When you start, you have all of these ideals and these dreams. And then once you actually begin work, you realize it’s not that easy. You realize that nobody cares about this business more than you do. So it’s a lot of work, but you learn a lot as you go. I’m so grateful because my education has been the greatest gift my parents have given to me. And my time at Marymount prepared me for this challenge.

Did you face any particular challenges as a young female entrepreneur?
There is a perception that people have of me because of my age and because of my gender. So it was hard at first; I had a lot of meetings that didn’t end well. But you do learn a lot from every meeting. It’s not exclusive to the food industry, but there are still a lot of men who think that you just don’t belong. Now I’m seeing more women in managerial positions, and more female chefs and female owners, so that’s definitely a good thing. But it’s still not enough, not yet.

The desserts you create are gluten free, and you use natural, organic, and local ingredients. Why did you make that choice?
I took the plunge into health-conscious baking partly because I knew there was a market for it now—especially here in Brooklyn. There are a lot of people into the gluten-free diet and the vegan diet, but they still want to have cake, and they still want to have cookies and desserts that taste good. But it’s also because that’s how I personally eat, and because of my experience at previous restaurants. I do cheat sometimes, but I try to eat healthy and wheat-free most of the time. So that’s why my bakery has more of a health-conscious vibe. It’s all real food, real ingredients, healthy portions, and healthier sweeteners. I wanted to make my favorite desserts and allow other people to enjoy them too.

What’s next for you?
Well, the store is only five-and-a-half months old, so I’m still here all the time. Once I get to the point where everything is running smoothly and I don’t have to be here as much, and once we have enough financing, I would love to open another location. Maybe in Brooklyn, maybe in Manhattan, but for right now we’re just trying to reach as many people as we can online, through UberEats, and at this store. I wanted to build this bakery—this was my dream—and so for now, I’m living my dream.

—Emily Mendez

1. Your Newfound Freedom

The moment you get to college is the moment you really gain your independence. Of course your family will always be there for you, and your professors will have your best interests in mind. But you now have more autonomy than ever. It might take a while, but learn to use that freedom wisely.

2. Choosing a Major

If you don’t love it, don’t major in it. If you love the idea of examining themes in French literature, analyze that. And if you’re interested in how to manage liquid financial assets, study that. Or, better yet, do both. Fordham gives you the time to figure out what you want to do, and the opportunity to be successful doing it.

3. A Dip in the Deep End

My favorite class? English Theory. It’s a requirement for the English major, but I personally think it should be a requirement for everyone. It takes everything you think you know about English as a language and breaks it down scientifically, politically, and culturally. That’s what a good college class does: It takes something you already know and love, and then shows you that you’ve really been swimming in shallow water all along. There’s a whole ocean just waiting for you.

4. Clubs and Extracurriculars

When you’re deciding on what clubs and activities to pursue outside of school, don’t pick them—let them pick you. You’re not doing things for a college acceptance letter or a well-rounded resume anymore. These activities are a reflection of who you are, and if you want to teach traditional Latin American ballroom dance to middle school students, don’t be afraid to take that initiative and do it.

5. Striking a Balance

While there are thousands of potential internships in New York City and in Fordham’s network, not every learning opportunity comes with a title. Even if your job is nine to five on Mondays and Thursdays, learning happens all seven days of the week. Take that assistantship at the law firm. Be that partner at the fashion house. But don’t forget to just relax sometimes and people watch at the park. If Fordham is your school, let New York be your professor every now and then.

6. Find Your Passion and a Career Will Follow

I came to college thinking I would be a pre-med biology major. Now with a rediscovered love of English (my new major), I’m looking into teaching, education reform, law, public policy, or a combination of all four. As long as you have a passion for it, you’ll find something that allows you to channel that passion into positive change.

7. New York Is Your Campus

There are about 13 miles between the Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses, and about 196 countries in the world. If you travel those few short miles, you’ll see that they somehow manage to accommodate nearly all of the world’s cultures. But don’t forget to branch out even farther—start following the music scene in Brooklyn, spend some time discovering the diversity of food flavors in Queens, or check out what the Coney Island Mermaid Parade is all about. Fordham is your school, New York is your campus, and this is your world. Don’t forget to explore it.

8. Expanding Your Palate

If you enter college a picky eater, trust me, you’re not leaving as one. Whether it’s mofongo y lechón, bánh mì, soupe à l’oignon, or bibimbap, there are honestly infinite options—although I can’t guarantee you’ll leave knowing how to properly pronounce all of them.

9. Learning as a Community

In art, diptychs are two pieces, literally hinged together like a book, that are meant to be admired in tandem. In literature, diptychs are poems meant to be read together, each lending to the meaning and significance of the other. In the college classroom, diptychs are everywhere: You’ll form them with professors and fellow students. Watching your personal understanding of the world grow is great, but watching everyone hinge on each other and work together as a community of learners is amazing.

10. The Value of Growth

There’s no way to put this lightly: You’re going to change. A lot. But you should. Change is just growth, and if my high-school self could have looked into the future and seen her college self, she would have been pretty shocked, but even more proud. And after going to a school like Fordham, I trust that you’ll be proud of yourself too.

—Emily Mendez

As Fordham celebrates its 175th anniversary, English major Emily Mendez offers a modern take on some of the rules and customs that were enforced on campus in the early years. 

From “General Rules”

Rule 1: They [the students] shall be obedient, docile, and respectful as becomes well bred youths.
Students should do their best to maintain an open mind and a calm disposition—unless you’re caught behind a group of slow walkers during the afternoon rush to class. You don’t have to be calm about that.

Rule 7: It is forbidden to accompany visitors to the Railway Station, or even down the lawn, and no one shall take them to the garden, or the woods, or in general out of bounds, without special permission.
When you have visitors, make sure to get them a slice of Rose Hill’s favorite pizza at Pugsley’s (extra crispy, extra cheese). Or show them the best underground restaurants (hint: they’re at the Columbus Circle subway stop, and they’re literally underground). When they’re ready to leave, walk them to the subway platform. Or, if you really care, call them an Uber.

Rule 10: All students are required to write to their parents or guardians at least once a month.
If your parent or guardian texts you, at least try to text back. If they Snapchat you, definitely reply. And then screenshot them. Because your mom in the flower-crown filter, reminding you to do your laundry, is priceless.

From “Rules for the Study Halls”

Rule 6: No posture not becoming polite society will be allowed: hence lolling, lounging, crossing of legs, yawning, and stretching are forbidden.
A polite posture is to be maintained at all times. Unless you’re playing Frisbee. Or lounging on the lawn. Or doing yoga. Or studying outside. Or … yeah, never mind that one.

From “Rules for Recreation”

Rule 2: All racing, running, stomping, shouting, whistling, and boisterous singing within the corridors and playroom are strictly forbidden.
Whether you’re an athlete, sports fan, theater junkie, or a capella star, we generally encourage racing, running, whistling, and singing. Oh, and tons of Ram pride.

Rule 3: Snowball [throwing] is forbidden within night bounds.
Throwing snowballs is actually pretty fun. Plus it gives you a chance to show off the winter beauty of Fordham’s campus. #DoItForTheInsta (But be safe.)

—Emily Mendez