Forging a Rich Academic Path

Junior Dominic Chiappone ’24 trusts his gut. It rarely fails him. Like when he was weighing college admissions offers. No sooner had the Florida native visited three other campuses than the pandemic sidelined his trip to Syracuse University, where he was supposed to participate in a Leadership Scholars Spring Reception. No tour, no problem.

“I did my homework and knew that Syracuse was where I was supposed to be,” says the University 100 ambassador. Despite having never toured campus as a prospective student, Chiappone has since shown it to tens of thousands of others and their families. “Ours is a Goldilocks campus,” he continues. “It’s not too big and not too small, but just right.”

Chiappone is making the most of his undergraduate experience. A member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program, he is a double major in history and broadcast and digital journalism. Chiappone also plans to round out his minor in Spanish with one in sport management. “I’m like a cheerleader,” says the aspiring journalist, who works for the student-run Daily Orange, WAER radio and CitrusTV. “I never get tired of talking about Syracuse University.”

We recently caught up with Chiappone, who had just been invited to intern for U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and to cover men’s and women’s basketball for the sports blogging juggernaut SB Nation. Chiappone was waiting for us. “Early is on time—that’s my rule,” he adds. “I make the most of every minute of every day.”

Why did you choose Syracuse University?
Syracuse University enables me to meet new faces in new places. I’ve been able to forge my own academic path, connect with soon-to-be lifelong friends and discuss the wonders of the world with professors. There aren’t enough words to describe what Syracuse means to me—how it’s changed my life and made me into the person I am today.

How did you come to enroll in multiple schools and colleges?
I’m a history buff, so I started out as a history major in the College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. But I kept hearing about the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications—how it’s one of the best journalism schools in the country. Because I’m interested in sports and political journalism, I decided to join Newhouse’s broadcast and digital journalism program. I eventually added a minor in Spanish, also in Arts and Sciences, and plan to study sport management in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

Why are the social sciences important to you?
The social sciences are a core part of a liberal arts education. In the Maxwell School, I learn about responsible citizenship by exploring different views and perspectives. I’m able to see our country—and the world—through a new lens.

I’m also able to connect with Maxwell faculty outside of class, often over lunch or a cup of coffee. My professors are genuinely interested in my academic development.

What other opportunities do you enjoy?
I did a summer session abroad at Syracuse Madrid in the geographical heart of the Iberian Peninsula. It was great living in an international city, immersing myself in the language and studying Spanish history and film. I loved taking the Metro to different parts of Madrid and meeting its people, many of whom were immigrants from around the world.

How does Syracuse give you creative freedom?
I became fascinated with history and politics in high school, where I competed on the debate team. I’ve seized on my interests at Syracuse by studying with Maxwell faculty and serving as a political analyst for CitrusTV. My internship with Sen. Schumer will build on those experiences.

I’m also a die-hard sports fan who loves writing about basketball. This has led to cool assignments for The Daily Orange and, more recently, SB Nation and The Lead basketball network. I’m also working on a book—my first—about the history of the NBA.

Who have been your most influential professors?
I was a first-year student when I enrolled in Critical Issues for the United States, taught by Paul Hagenloh, associate professor of history. A year later, I took his practicum for history majors. Both times, he was engaging and provided constructive feedback. My research papers are so much better because of his guidance.

Tessa Murphy [associate professor of history] is another favorite. She gets props for making The Age of the American Revolution come alive. Her course is a deep dive into the peoples and ideas of British America.

There are Newhouse School faculty I admire, too. They include adjunct professors Steven Infanti and Elisha Stasko ’09, from whom I’m taking broadcasting and multimedia storytelling. I’ve also learned about journalism ethics, reporting, writing and editing from Megan Craig, an adjunct professor who is general manager of the Orange Television Network, and Edecio Martinez, a notable professor of practice.

What do you like most about University 100?
The people. From serving as a campus tour guide to greeting families at open houses, I meet many fascinating people in my role at University 100. Most of them are excited to visit Syracuse for the first time; some are a little nervous. That I get to help them make a life-changing decision is a big honor. I don’t know how many students have recently come up to me and said, “You might not remember me, but I remember you, Dominic. You convinced me to come here.” That makes me proud.