Nathan Cole-Conner (AA ’26)
Major: Associate of Arts in Business Administration
High School: Riverside High School
Involvements: Speaker of the House in Student Government of Arrupe College (SGAC), Career Services Ambassador, member of Black Student Union (BSU), and a model in the Fashion Club of Loyola University Chicago
What is your degree and how/why did you select your degree?
I am getting my Associate’s in Business Administration. I decided on my degree after a life‑changing experience in a post‑secondary education internship at CIBC. This solidified my interest in finance and getting an Associate’s in Business.
What does it mean to go to a Jesuit Institution?
Receiving an education from a Jesuit institution means being a part of something greater than myself to create a tangible difference in the lives of all who attend, and in turn, the lives of everyone those graduates impact. Attending a Jesuit university has given me a much broader understanding and appreciation for values such as care for others and care for oneself. I am getting my Associate’s in Business Administration. I decided on my degree after a life‑changing experience in a post‑secondary education internship at CIBC. This solidified my interest in finance and getting an Associate’s in Business.
What has been your most challenging class and how did it change you?
Business Communication with Prof. Jennifer Armstrong. As someone who was naturally introverted but worked hard to become comfortable speaking and engaging with others, I assumed the class would be a breeze. Unfortunately, my public speaking skills did not translate as easily as I had hoped, and the class forced me out of my comfort zone every chance it got. It helped me build overall confidence and the ability to present myself effectively; a skill I would later use in my work and in leading organizational commitments.
What professor should a new student absolutely take a class with and why?
Prof. Giancarlo Tarantino. Of all the classes I took at Arrupe, Philosophy with Professor Tarantino has to be the most thought-provoking and interesting.
Where is your favorite place on campus and why?
The beachside at the Lakeshore campus. The view of the lake and vegetation makes it the greatest place on campus to study, ponder, and hang out with friends.
What is some advice you would give an incoming freshman?
Be a member of the community. Most students may start off thinking Arrupe is like a typical two-year program where you are just there to learn to get your Associate's as soon as possible. The value in becoming someone who is a part of the Arrupe community is beyond what meets the eye, because you are not just earning a degree; you are learning to live out Jesuit values in the way you study, serve, and show up for others.
What is a moment where you felt like you belonged at Arrupe?
During my first time helping as the Career Services Ambassador for the Arrupe Career Fellowship, I was extremely stressed because I worried I would let down Sarah McNally and my peers. However, I was able to step up and truly lead in the role I had been given. In that moment, I felt as if I had carved out my own place to thrive within Arrupe, not just as a student but as someone who helps the community move forward.