Believing deeply in the power of giving back, I’ve always considered my education not just a personal milestone, but a foundation to support others. This commitment led me to take an active role in the Alumni Association of the Scuola Superiore di Catania (SSC)—an experience that has been both professionally enriching and personally fulfilling.
From 2011 to 2014, I had the privilege of serving as President of the SSC Alumni Association, following a prior role as Vice President (2009–2010) and then again as Vice President in 2023-2024. My presidency marked a time of strategic growth and renewed engagement across our alumni community.
About the SSC Alumni Association
We are a network of over 250 alumni from a prestigious honors college within the University of Catania. Admission to SSC is highly selective (less than 10% acceptance rate) and offers a fully-funded academic experience—including lodging at the historic Villa San Saverio campus.
SSC students pursue rigorous academic paths, balancing their university coursework with interdisciplinary seminars, research projects, and additional high-level classes. This demanding environment cultivates excellence, and as alumni, we continue this legacy by:
- Supporting current students through mentorship and educational initiatives
- Organizing scientific and cultural events
- Strengthening a diverse and skilled professional network
- Acting as ambassadors for the institution’s values
What I Did
During my tenure, I developed several programs and activities spaning across academic, professional, and social domains:
- Monthly scientific seminars and guest lectures during the academic year
- University orientation and career guidance initiatives for prospective and current students
- Mentorship programs connecting students with experienced alumni
- Community-building events that reinforce the shared values of our SSC experience
Strategic and Operational Leadership
As President, my role required both vision and hands-on execution. Key responsibilities included:
- Strategic Planning & Program Oversight: Defined annual priorities, developed event calendars, and ensured alignment with the Association’s mission.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Maintained strong relationships with university leadership, faculty, and student representatives to foster collaboration.
- Alumni Mobilization: Created communication strategies to increase alumni participation, foster a sense of belonging, and build a stronger network.
- Fundraising & Financial Stewardship: Launched and managed yearly fundraising campaigns to sustain and expand our initiatives.
- Digital Presence Management: Launched and oversaw content development for all Association communication channels, including the website, social media accounts (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter), and multimedia platforms like YouTube.
This leadership role combined strategic direction with operational management, requiring a blend of organizational insight, people skills, and digital fluency to ensure the success and sustainability of our programs.