By Emily Rivard, Features Editor

Chances are, if you’re an underclassman at the University, Andrew Schuetz has been a part of your welcome experience.

A junior Entrepreneurship major, Schuetz not only welcomes prospective students as a Pride Guide, but also helps them adjust to freshman year as Senior Resident Assistant (SRA) of the Netherlands North.

“I love to build communities and help freshman get acclimated to their first year,” said Scheutz. “You can see the impression you leave on new students. I think their first year helps them with years to come.”

As SRA of the Netherlands North, Schuetz is in charge of his own floor, as well as other staff in the building. “As SRA, you feel like you mean more to [younger] students. You’re usually the first person they seek.”

Schuetz has been working as a Pride Guide and recruiting new students since his first year at the University. When asked to estimate how many students he’s welcomed, Schuetz is literally at a loss for words. “A lot!” he explains with a laugh.

“But I try at each event to get at least one person set on coming to Hofstra. I want to make at least one connection at each event.”

Next week, Schuetz is joining University Admission on a trip to California, where he will help to recruit new and prospective students—a trip he calls “A dream come true.”

Often recognized by students and their parents alike, Scheutz’s success at the University is often a motivating factor for those who chose to come here. “People and parents come up to me, which is always really nice. They always bring up where I’m from, Washington state, and tell me that if I can do it, they can too.”

A member of the small group of entrepreneurship majors, Schuetz recently began a business with two other students using grant money given to each class. Realizing that several groups on campus were increasing the amount of club T-shirts and apparel being made, they began a business designated solely to screen-printing shirts for on-campus clubs. Although the club is focused mainly on serving University clubs, it is slowly branching out to other businesses that need screen-printing T-shirts. He also uses his entrepreneurial knowledge as the business manager for the Fashion Club.

Schuetz attributes his interest in volunteering to his parents, who volunteered in various activities throughout his childhood. “I grew up watching them give back to the community and learned so much from that.”

Overall, Schuetz is happy to give back to the University and feels that his work on campus is making a difference. “I had an awesome experience my first year and I want to give back. It feels good to be doing something to give back to other people.”

Andrew Schuetz spends is a SRA, a Pride Guide, and the business manager for the Fashion Club (Photo courtesy of Andrew Schuetz)