Alexander Perry

Be yourself. Don't sell yourself short, you came to IC for a reason and you belong here; don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

Advice for the Class of 2024

What does being a First-Generation College Graduate mean to you?

To me, being a first-generation college graduate means that so many doors have been opened to me that weren't necessarily available to my parents. Admittedly, I don't feel like I had a typical path as a first-gen student, as it was always assumed that I would go to college given where I grew up, but I recognize the sacrifices and hard work that my parents made to make my attendance and graduation from Ithaca College possible.

What is your proudest moment from your time at Ithaca College?

My proudest moment from my time at Ithaca has to be when I was featured alongside with my good friend on the front page of the Ithacan, sharing my story as an openly transgender varsity athlete. There were so many challenges we encountered along the way throughout our time at Ithaca, but I want to make sure that other students and future athletes know they're supported here.

Who are the family members, friends or loved ones who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

Thanks to my parents for always pushing me and then being there to catch me when I fell. I love you both. Thank you to all of my teammates for sticking out this journey with me. And shoutout to the best roommates I could ever have asked for.

Who are the staff, faculty or mentors who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

I want to give a huge shoutout to the IC Sociology Department for being instrumental in my journey here at Ithaca. Specifically, thank you to Dr. Joslyn Brenton and Sergio Cabrera for showing me the way, and for always being there for me; I couldn't have done it without you both. I also want to thank Luca Maurer for his invaluable words of wisdom and for being such an amazing human being. Thanks to profs Annette Levine, Maria DiFrancesco, and Jonathan Ablard for all of your support as well. Lastly, I want to thank my supervisors and coworkers in the Catering Department and at the IC Fitness Center for being the best: Jason, James, Ezra, Sean, and the rest of you lot. I'll never forget you and the positive memories I have of being a student-employee.

Are there any Clubs, Activities, or Involvements that you were a part of at Ithaca College?

Varsity Golf Student, Governance Council, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Leadership Academy

What do you plan or hope to do now that you have graduated?

I will be taking a gap year and working locally at home, and then in the Fall 2021, I hope to pursue my PhD in sociology and become a professor, with a special focus on LGBTQ+ research and supporting LGBTQ+ students.