少女福利

Saint Michael’s College defenseman David Ciancio celebrates during an ice hockey game.

Business Administration and Accounting double major Dave Ciancio 鈥�24 has made the most of his time at Saint Michael鈥檚 College, both in and out of the classroom. From championship wins on the ice to leadership roles on campus, Ciancio says Saint Michael鈥檚 helped him grow into a more confident, well-rounded individual.

The Scituate, Rhode Island native recently shared how his experiences shaped his college journey and prepared him for life after graduation.

His interview below has been lightly edited for style and clarity.

Saint Michael鈥檚 College: What brought you to Saint Michael鈥檚, and what was your initial experience like?
Dave Ciancio: I came from a smaller boarding school, so I knew I wanted a close-knit college community. Saint Michael鈥檚 felt like the right fit. You really get to know your professors here鈥攖hey care about you and want to see you succeed. From day one, I felt like I had support.

SMC: What are you studying, and how has your academic experience influenced your goals?
Ciancio: I鈥檓 double majoring in Business Administration and Accounting with a minor in Economics. My classes gave me a strong foundation, especially in critical thinking and analysis. One of the most impactful courses I took was Public Economics with Professor Walsh. It challenged me to think about economic policy in new ways and helped me develop my own perspective, which I know will be important moving forward.

SMC: You鈥檙e also a student-athlete. How has that shaped your time here?
Ciancio: Being on the men鈥檚 ice hockey team has been a huge part of my experience. Winning the NE-10 Championship was unforgettable鈥攋ust an incredible moment for our team and especially for us seniors. It was the result of years of hard work and perseverance. It still doesn鈥檛 feel real.

Saint Michael’s College athletes pose at an event.

SMC: Beyond athletics, how else have you been involved on campus?
Ciancio: I serve as President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). That role gave me the chance to advocate for student-athletes and work with college leadership. It really strengthened my communication and leadership skills. There are so many ways to get involved on campus and in the Burlington area, and I tried to take advantage of as many as I could.

SMC: Did you have any internship experiences during college?
Ciancio: Yes, I had internships over the past two summers that gave me a deeper understanding of what it鈥檚 like to work in the business world. They showed me that success isn鈥檛 always straightforward鈥攊t鈥檚 about the value you bring to a team. Problem-solving, adaptability, and communication were things I focused on daily, and those were lessons I first learned at Saint Michael鈥檚.

Saint Michael’s College athletes put together holiday bags for kids during a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) event.

SMC: What do you think is the biggest takeaway from your time at Saint Michael鈥檚?
Ciancio: The liberal arts approach pushed me to look at problems from multiple angles. It taught me to form and defend my own ideas, and to communicate effectively. I鈥檝e learned how to approach challenges thoughtfully and creatively鈥攖hat鈥檚 something I鈥檒l carry with me no matter where I go.

SMC: What advice would you give to current or future Saint Michael鈥檚 students?
Ciancio: Say yes to opportunities. Try new things, even if they鈥檙e outside your comfort zone. Stay engaged. Also, take care of yourself and support others鈥攊t鈥檚 easy to get caught up in the pressure, but it鈥檚 important to enjoy the experience. You鈥檝e worked hard to get here, and these four years go by fast. Take it all in.