“We want people to know that we are here for every student,” said Iglesias. As part of this welcoming effort, her office recently rebranded itself to the Office of Fellowship Advising from the Office of Prestigious Fellowships. “The awards are prestigious, but above all we want students to know we are accessible.”

Below she shares the advice she gives students and the bold move that led her to Fordham.

Getting the Word Out About Fellowships 

“The coaching process starts before we even have a student sitting in front of us,” said Iglesias. “We do outreach everywhere we can, to let students know that they can be a strong applicant. It’s not just for 4.0 students. They just have to find the right fit for them.”

To spread the word, Iglesias and Lorna Ronald, Ph.D., the director of the Office of Fellowship Advising, go to classrooms and partner with programs such as the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, the Center for Community Engaged Learning, and the Higher Education Opportunity Program. They also collaborate with faculty to recruit students and hold mock interviews. 

“We’re a small but really supportive team,” said Iglesias.

Combating Imposter Syndrome 

“We all have imposter syndrome, no matter how strong a performer we are,” said Iglesias.

She encourages students to acknowledge that feeling, and then think, “What tools do I have to get past those things?” She says that looks different for everyone.

“Part of our approach is just being good listeners, creating a space for people to feel like they can talk about their vulnerabilities.”

Learnings from Yoga

As a certified yoga instructor who teaches yoga and meditation at an addiction recovery nonprofit, Iglesias applies her practice to her work. “Yoga ultimately is about learning to tune in and listen to yourself.” 

This is easier said than done, especially for students. “When you’re in a competitive atmosphere, it’s very easy to get caught up in someone else’s goals because you think you need to be walking a particular path.” She encourages them to center in on what they really want. 

Writing Advice That Pays Off

Iglesias, a Cuban American and first-generation college graduate, holds a Ph.D. in English and formerly taught literature and writing at the University of South Florida. Her top advice for students writing their personal essays? Be genuine. 

“If someone else can include the same sentence in their essay, avoid including it. People remember stories. It’s the personal details that let readers connect and visualize the applicant.”

Taking a Leap

After her daughter graduated high school, Iglesias decided to move with her partner back to New York City, where she had lived in her twenties. It was a big leap without a job lined up.

“Many people leave New York to go to Florida, but I always wanted to return, and the time felt right.” She taught writing at Fordham and then learned of an opening in the fellowship office. “I applied, and I fell in love with the work. I am able to get to know students, to hear about the cool things that they’re doing, and to help them reach their goals. It’s incredibly rewarding.”

Students who are interested in applying for fellowships can research current opportunities and deadlines and reach out to the Office of Fellowship Advising.

What he does
“I’m in charge of procurement of materials. I help the operations workers identify what materials they need and act as the liaison between the facilities side and the customer. For example, sometimes we get someone who is having air conditioner issues. The mechanic may have taken care of it and closed out the work order. But if the customer isn’t satisfied, I’ll go back, say ‘I’m sorry you weren’t satisfied, what can we do to help you feel more comfortable?’ It’s all about trying to find a happy medium for them.”

What projects keep him busy
“We do a lot of upgrading. We replaced six floors’ worth of ovens and refrigerators at McMahon Hall this past summer. We just ordered blinds for the residence hall windows. It’s a constant stream of things to keep up with.”

Favorite part of the job
“I like to identify ways to fix problems. Not everything is all laid out, and not everything is set in stone. There’s always a different way to get something done. I also like the fact that everybody here is really supportive.”

Life before Fordham
“I went to St. John’s University for two years, but I couldn’t finish. So I started at Home Depot and worked my way up through the company for seven years. It was fun, but the environment changed. I had kids, and couldn’t be working crazy hours in a retail environment. When you’re on call, you might be working for 70 hours a week.”

“I’ve always worked with my hands. My roots are in Long island, so even though I live in the Bronx, I still know people out there and a lot of them were calling up, saying ‘Rich, can you help me?’ [So] for two years I did repairs for people, changing out hot water heaters, redoing bathrooms. Then I started thinking I needed to get into something more stable, with more roots, so I applied to Fordham.

On that Long-Lost College Degree
“I’m taking two certificate courses being offered by the Real Estate Institute: Real Estate Finance and Investment, and Construction Project Management. Then in the spring or next fall, I’m hoping to finish my undergraduate degree at the School of Professional Studies (PCS), probably in organizational leadership.

I’ve always wanted to go back, but the opportunity wasn’t there. It’s exciting. I took one course online, and one in a classroom, so I’m getting used to both ways of learning.”

Family and Hobbies
He and his wife Elizabeth have five children: Candice, 29, Alyssa, 25, Lexeus, 23, Katelyn, 14 and Richard Jr., 12. In his spare time, Figueroa likes to bowl, do woodworking, and go camping with his kids at least two or three times a year.

Who she is

Grace Lozito, administrative director for clinical and experiential learning at Fordham School of Law

What she does

Lozito is in charge of all operations for the law school’s clinical and experiential learning. She manages a staff of 10 and three programs: the school’s clinics, the externship program, and a basic skills program called “Fundamental Lawyering Skills.” The program has approximately 20 faculty, and all of them are both full-time on our staff and also practice law.

“Each clinic (there are 13–15 clinics running during any given semester) has anywhere from 8 to 18 students a semester, and the support staff act like paralegals that you’d find in a law firm. Our job is to support both the students and the faculty with their cases. That could involve things like submitting a filing to court on time, knowing the court rules for certain types of cases, or updating the clients on their cases.”

Of course, there are plenty of administrative projects and routine tasks to keep everyone busy. It’s one of the largest legal clinics in the country.”

How she came to the job

“I had the same job for three years at Seton Hall Law School. I went to law school and taught legal research and writing there for a couple of years. I came here six years ago because I wanted to get back to the city. My kids are grown, and they all live here, and I lived in New Jersey for 30 years. My intention was always to move back; last year I sold my house and moved into Battery Park City.”

Best thing about her job

“It is what you bring to it. After working in publishing for 20 years, I bring to it some marketing concepts. I also do statistics to measure our assessments on things like what sources we get our clinical applications from, what types of students are applying to the clinics, and what kinds of clinics they’re interested in. It’s a more administrative job, but still keep my toes immersed in the legal arena. I miss going to court, but I get to help students out—resolve a situation or a disagreement, or look up a court rule for them.”

Biggest challenge

“Managing so many people in this space. There are 360 students coming and going, and sometimes that makes the space a little problematic. We’ve only got one conference room; the library might be blocked off because they’re taking a deposition in there; or all the simulation rooms might be taken. There might be 25 people in our waiting room asking ‘Where should I go, what should I do?’

“Technically, we are a law firm. We’re obliged to obey the rules of professional conduct, which includes confidentiality. You have to make sure that students don’t leave their papers out, or that clients can’t see our computer screens. We’re not neurotic about that, but it’s just a violation of the rules. We can’t be careless.”

What she does for fun

“Gallivanting on the weekends! I traipse all over—to the Village to get cheeses at the Italian stores, to the Upper East Side, and then someplace else to get a manicure. I feel like all of Manhattan is my neighborhood. I even drive my car to work, up the West Side highway, and I love it. There are flowers, grasses, and the Hudson River, and there are ferries, boats, and helicopters. The sun is shining and the water is glistening. For 15 minutes, that puts a smile on my face and on the day.”