Lauren Duda ’14 graduated from Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences and S.I. Newhouse School of Communications respectively in May. The Philadelphia-area native who majored in both public relations and modern foreign languages (French and Spanish) is about to embark on a new adventure. She recently accepted a position in Fort Worth, Texas, where she’ll be working in communications at Lockheed Martin.

The recent graduate says even though she’s leaving the SU campus, she’ll always “bleed orange.” Duda, who says she loved every moment of attending SU says, “Syracuse is essentially one giant family that absolutely loves the color orange. No matter what you’re doing, no matter how far away you are, that never stops. As long as the orange blood flows through your veins, your Orange family will be there to support you!”

We are pleased to feature Duda, one of the newest members of Syracuse University's alumni network. 

1. Tell us a little bit about life before SU?

Before SU, I went to a very small, Catholic all-girls high school. I was just as highly involved there as I was at SU, but my worldview was significantly limited after having grown up in such a homogenous environment. Going to SU and experiencing the diversity of both the people and the culture there truly helped enhance the way I view the world.

2. Why did you choose SU?

I chose SU because it was the perfect representation of all the important aspects of my life coming together. I have always been very passionate about travel, and it had an amazing study abroad program—which I later took advantage of in going to Strasbourg, France for a semester. It had a highly reputable communications school, as well as a strong music program that allowed me to pursue my extracurricular interests. Most importantly, I wanted to go to a school where everyone was absolutely thrilled to be there. The fervor and spirit found throughout the student body is the perfect embodiment of this.

3. What was your favorite thing about attending SU?

My favorite thing about attending SU was waking up everyday and going to school alongside with people who were just as passionate about the university as I was.

4. Now that you’ve graduated from SU, what do you plan to do next?

As far as post-graduate plans go, I have secured a job in the Communications Leadership Development Program at Lockheed Martin. There, I will be handling both internal and external communications for some of the global company’s largest and most well known programs, including the F-35 fighter jet.

5. How has SU helped you achieve your goals and aspirations?

SU has played an absolutely vital role in shaping my confidence. In providing me with the skills I need to succeed in a competitive communications industry, my self-confidence in both scholarly and extracurricular activities has greatly increased. It is this self-confidence that has allowed me to take risks on opportunities that I may have otherwise foregone—such as moving to a new state to begin my post-graduate career. It is in taking these risks—and having them pay off—that have already set me on a path towards my much-anticipated career in global corporate communications. 

6. You already have an impressive resume – what achievement are you most proud of thus far?

Honestly, the achievement I am most proud of in my collection of eclectic experiences at Syracuse was successfully planning a trip to Spain from my study abroad destination of France—which involved negotiating travel plans in both of the languages I studied.

7. What’s the best way to spend free time as a SU student?

There is a myriad of activities that can be found around campus, but the best way to spend free time as an SU student (weather permitting) is taking a walk around to appreciate the beauty of the campus and perhaps stopping to throw around a Frisbee or two. People-watching on Marshall Street is also a worthwhile activity!

8. In what extracurricular activities did you most enjoy participating?

Of all my extracurricular activities, I most enjoyed singing with The Mandarins, one of the all-female a cappella groups at Syracuse. In total, we have seven groups on campus and the concentration of talent among them is incredible. There’s nothing like getting up on stage with your best friends and singing for hundreds of your other friends!

9. What are some of the activities you like around CNY that aren’t SU affiliated?

One of my favorite places in the CNY area is Green Lakes State Park. The lake itself has a very interesting history, and the surrounding park has many fun activities to partake in. The walking trail around the crisp, blue lake is breathtaking, especially in autumn!

10. What is your advice to those students that will begin their senior year in the fall? Any words of wisdom?

To all the seniors returning to campus for the last time this fall: make a personal bucket list for the year! Even though you have been there for four years, there are plenty of new and exciting things to discover about SU—even up until the very last days before graduation.