Her Story
About Marissa
My career path has been shaped by my passion for empowering others, which started when I was a teenager growing up in Syracuse. I was involved with different agencies helping at-risk youth, and those experiences taught me how to work with people, create resumes, get jobs, and manage money. After graduating high school and having my first child, I worked full-time at a nonprofit for about 5 years, where I facilitated dialogue circles on race and ethnicity, built community connections, and organized fundraising opportunities. This work helped me network throughout Syracuse and upstate New York. A colleague at Syracuse University saw my work and encouraged me to apply for a position there, which I started in October 2006. Over the past nearly 20 years in higher education, I've learned so much and been exposed to multiple career opportunities. Although I haven't yet completed my college degree, I'm working towards it because life happens - I've experienced the loss of my twin sister, my best friend, got married in 2006, had two more children who are now teenagers, and recently got divorced in 2024. Through it all, I've remained dedicated to being my authentic self and creating spaces where students feel represented. I inspire students to follow their strengths and be themselves, because representation matters. My main goal is to retain students and help them graduate. The most rewarding part of my work is when students come back after graduation and tell me how I helped them through challenging times. They keep me young, updated on trends, and give me peace, purpose, and a reason to continue this work. That's why I've stayed in higher education for so long.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Marissa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to making a positive impact on others. I'm in higher education to help others get their degree and give them positive reinforcement. I let students know they can do what they're here and meant to be for - to graduate and reach their end goal. The positive impact I give on others, especially when they come back and tell me about what I did for them, that's the best part. Students give me peace, they give me purpose, and they give me a reason to do what I'm doing. That's truly why I've been in higher education for this long period of time.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The courage it takes to be vulnerable is strength. The unknown is scary, but if you don't reach the unknowns you would never know. So step out and be courageous, be curious to do the unknown.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In any role or position you get into, there's politics that are challenging. But you have to get through those politics in order to get the job done, while also staying focused on why you're here and what your main goal is. For me, my main goal is for students — to keep them here, retain them at the university, and have them graduate
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I see myself as exemplifying dedication and being my authentic self in pursuit of excellence. I inspire students to follow their strengths and take pride in creating spaces that they enter, because representation matters. I believe in being yourself and making those connections. I believe in empowering students and having them do the same. I'm rooted in who I am and living with the purpose of giving back, because it was given to me. The purpose of life is not just to work, work, work. Being a mom of three and being able to create spaces for my children to feel comfortable and empowered and to see them grow into their own little personalities is amazing and one of my blessings that I absolutely love.
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