With the 2025-2026 academic year coming to a close, another phenomenal class of students is graduating. As they move on to new chapters of their lives, they offered some words of advice to Fordham undergraduates on how to wisely use their four years on campus.
Odell Holland, FCRH ’26, is a transfer student from Manhattan University. In his comments, he emphasized the need to meet new people and network.
“What I think other people should much more capitalize on, is building on friendships,” Holland said. “There’s enough places to meet new people on campus. A lot of people are too shy for no reason, and I feel like that’s something that has to change. In my time here at Fordham, I tried my best to network with as many people as I could.”
Maya Persico, FCRH ’26, is the president of Fordham’s Black Student Alliance and is a member of Fordham’s only hip-hop dance team, Flava. Similar to Holland, she recommended that students get involved with clubs on campus.
“Definitely get involved,” Persico said, “I signed up to a bunch of clubs. You don’t have to go to every single one’s meeting. I know I didn’t, I think the only one I went to consistently was ASILI, but going through clubs is like the best way to meet new people.”
Therese Burgo, FCRH ’26, is a video producer and TikTok social media manager for Rose Hill’s radio station, WFUV. She’s been involved with WFUV since her first year and said she’s met her best friends there.
“It’s really what made my college experience what it’s been. So I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work there,” she said. Burgo added that she “would highly recommend [WFUV] for anyone interested in media.”
The advice Burgo gave current students is to try everything they’re presented with.
“Say yes to everything, and don’t be afraid of big opportunities,” Burgo said. “I’m very lucky to have some very ambitious, impressive friends who pushed me to push myself and get out of my comfort zone, and that’s so important when you’re in college, to just say yes to as many things as possible and explore every interest that you have. This is the time to do it … You’ll find what you’re meant to do here.”
Joseph Henry, FCRH ’26, who is the student sports manager at WFUV and assistant sports editor emeritus at The Ram, emphasized the importance of patience and chasing what you love.
“I took my first year and I just got my bearings straight,” Henry said. “Don’t be afraid of your first year, if you don’t make your best friend, or if you don’t figure out what you want to do with your life. Enjoy your college experience. You only have four years, but trust that whatever you’re meant to do here is coming … so be patient.”
Henry explained how that patience led him to his passion.
“I really love what I’m doing. I love helping people at my job. I love telling stories. I love covering sports. I get to go to sports games and cover them for my job. It’s ridiculous. So whatever it is that you love, whatever you find that might be, just go and chase that and make sure you enjoy it,” Henry said. “My experience here being able to chase that love was really special.”
Alexandra Pfau, FCRH ’26, is a news reporter for WFUV, and her advice to students is to avoid rushing to get a job and to enjoy our day-to-day lives.
“Don’t feel like you have to get straight into working, you know, like, give yourself maybe your first two years to kind of just chill out and make friends,” Pfau said. “Be as involved in everything as you can, because it’s going to go by really quick.”
From club presidents to transfer students and reporters, the class of 2026 is leaving its mark on the Fordham community, and we know that they’ll go on to do remarkable things in both their lives and their careers.
