Talking with … Susan Brucculeri
Interviews | Apr 07, 2016 | Gabelli School of Business
Susan Brucculeri
By Bailey Link, BS ’16
At one time or another, nearly everyone at the Rose Hill campus of the Gabelli School of Business has interacted with Susan Brucculeri, who sits at the epicenter of the undergraduate operation on the fourth floor of Hughes Hall. Read on to find out more about Susan, her job and her life outside of Fordham.
Q. Tell us what you do at the Gabelli School of Business.
A. I’m an executive secretary at the Gabelli School of Business. My role is to provide support for some of the assistant deans: the class deans for freshmen, sophomores and juniors, and the assistant dean for global initiatives. In the latter role, I help with the Gabelli School’s London program and our business school study tours.
Q. How long have you been at Fordham?
A. I’ve been at the university since 2001. I started part-time in the office of career planning, where I jump-started a program called the Liberal Arts Corporate Connection Program. It was a database of Fordham alumni designed to promote on-campus speaking engagements. Then I worked for the office of legal counsel full-time for five years as a special-projects administrator. Then I went on to the Gabelli School of Business.
Q. What did you do before you came to Fordham? What is your educational background?
A. I graduated from Iona College with an international studies degree. I went on to work in the insurance industry, and then for the New York State Insurance Department Liquidation Bureau, where I handled malpractice actions against hospitals and doctors. I took a break for four years to raise three beautiful boys, who are now young men, and then I looked for a career in a professional educational field at a collegiate level, where my schedule would match with my children’s.
Q. What is it about working with students that appeals to you?
A. I’m a personable individual, so I like that personal connection. I also feel that the age of a college student is such a unique stage in a person’s life because it is such a transition. It is so nice to see the development process of a freshman coming in and later graduating. To be able to provide a student with quality service is really meaningful to me because I know that these four years are so important.
Q. What do you like to do when you’re outside of work?
A. I love to dance. I belong to a gym where I take Zumba, yoga, and Pilates. I love being physically fit, and I’m very health conscious. I also love music! In my younger years I played piano and sang. I also love to cook and to try new recipes!
Lighting round
Q. What is your favorite spot on campus?
A. I love the fountain area right outside of Hughes Hall. It’s very tranquil because I love the sound of the water falling. It is right outside our beautiful new home.
Q. What is the most beautiful place you’ve seen?
A. Last year I had the opportunity to visit one of my sons in Australia. On my way there, I stopped off at the Fiji Islands. One of the most beautiful things was seeing a family of little girls playing aside from all the surroundings and natural wonders. Their frolicking and chasing one another was beautiful because they were so carefree and innocent. Their features were so exquisite and unique, being from Fiji.
Q. What is your favorite kind of music?
A. I like all kinds of music, being a musician. I’ve recently come to appreciate WFUV and alternative rock. I can really listen to anything, though, such as jazz. Soft rock and even some mild rap are good for me. The students keep me contemporary!
Q. What is the most fun thing you’ve ever done?
A. I love to travel! It’s something I didn’t get to do earlier in life, so I promote it for my children and the students. I think it opens you up. I’ve just started to travel, and I love meeting new people and learning about their cultures.
