This edition of EOP Student Spotlight highlights how the campus group Enactus can bring together two 
different students from two different majors. Fredonia Enactus is an international non-profit organization of student leaders that strive to create a better, more sustainable world through a series of projects using entrepreneurial actions. The university students, academic faculty, and industry leaders who participate in these projects demonstrate that people with knowledge and passion for business can be a powerful force for change.
Joshua Moreno, a senior Visual Arts and New Media major with a concentration in graphic design and a minor in web programming, enrolled at Fredonia in the fall of 2011 looking to find new experiences. Josh, who is originally from Jackson Heights, Queens, wanted to venture out and find new places and people when he left for college: “I wanted to encounter other things and Fredonia was as far and different from Queens as I could find.” Throughout his years at 
Fredonia, Josh sought out extra involvements from starting a fraternity, to playing rugby, and participating in clubs like Latinos Unidos. Josh searched out unfamiliar things until he found the opportunities that fit him best. Throughout all of his exploration, EOP was there to support him. According to Josh: “EOP has really benefited me. It’s allowed me to continue to the end, and work through adversity. In addition, it allowed me to meet the kinds of students you hope to surround yourself with. They [EOP] let you hit the ground running, between study hall and the other resources like the Learning Center and tutoring, EOP provided the help I needed and gave me a sense of direction while in school. Rachel [Skemer] was always there for me to come and talk to when I had troubles or just wanted to relax.”
Currently, Josh is involved with the student chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), DJ’s for the radio station and at events in the area, and is the web and art director of communications for Enactus. Although Josh was late to join Enactus, he has taken on a vital role. Currently, Josh and his team are responsible for the development and oversight of graphic art for publications, press releases, web design, and recruitment tools. He, along with other Enactus members, used the skills developed at Fredonia to assist the Girl Scouts of Western New York with their branding, visibility, and likeability and are currently working on the presentation materials for the upcoming national competitions. According to Dr. Mac (Assistant Professor of Business Administration Dr. Susan McNamara, Enactus adviser), “Josh not only contributes his professional graphic skills, he brings his enthusiasm and can do attitude to every event we host through music. His positive presence has impacted his peers and the community.”
In addition to his work with Enactus, Josh took on two radio shows, developed skills and connections within the radio industry and studied abroad. Studying abroad was another chance for Josh to travel to different places. “I came to Fredonia looking for new experiences, and when I had the chance to go to Italy for the summer, I thought it would be the same thing [as coming to Fredonia], a fresh, first-hand way to diversify my learning. The trip ended up being one of the greatest opportunities I could possibly have.”
Josh hopes to continue to travel, learn about the world, and encounter new places after graduation. Although he is upset that he won’t be able to see the renovations of the Rockefeller Arts Center through to the end, he does appreciate the experience it provided. “Rockefeller is magical. Whenever you go there, you get really good ideas and the space just allows you to pull them together and create really cool things.” Josh’s experiences gave him new perspectives on the world and he hopes to continue to push himself further to study the projects he took on here at Fredonia more in depth and to find new places to discover.
Benjamin Soto enrolled in Fredonia in the fall of 2011. Like many other EOP students, he came to Fredonia with many challenges to overcome. However, with the help of EOP, Fredonia Enactus, and the community, Benji has developed himself from a troubled teen to community business leader.
Benji, a Dunkirk, New York native and senior Business Administration major with a specialization in management and minor in leadership studies, has worked to immerse himself in Fredonia’s culture and take advantage of all that Fredonia has to offer. Although Benji’s home is only five minutes from campus, he chose to live on campus as a first-year student and used the opportunities provided to develop both personally and professionally. In Benji’s time at Fredonia he has been a student ambassador, the fundraising and recruitment coordinator for Delta Chi fraternity, held multiple positions within Fredonia Enactus, and most recently interned for Enterprise Rent-A-Car where he developed his internship into a full-time employment opportunity with the company.
Benji credits two programs with assisting his development at Fredonia, EOP and Fredonia Enactus. EOP helped develop the skills and connections necessary to get started at Fredonia and Fredonia Enactus pushed him to continue his personal and professional growth.
“The JEWEL program [EOP’s summer enrichment orientation] gave me the opportunity to meet people and develop lasting relationships with people who are still my friends and will be part of my life forever. The EOP study hall hours promoted my work ethic and allowed me to develop discipline as a student.”
“Enactus taught me how to develop the culture of an organization, the importance of a culture of innovation, and the value of promoting entrepreneurship. My experience has allowed me to lead members to becoming leaders themselves by trusting others and putting them in positions to succeed.”
Benji is the current CEO of Fredonia Enactus and has helped organize events that have benefited both the local community and brought praise to Fredonia Enactus. His most memorable experiences were at the national 
completions for Enactus in St. Louis, Missouri and Cincinnati, Ohio where Fredonia students won notoriety for the projects they presented to a panel of corporate executives. The other was The Vine Experience, a fundraising kickoff for the United Way, that highlighted local food and drink with a bike ride through local vineyards and tastings from local restaurants. Both NYS Senator Catharine Young and NYS Assemblyman Andrew Goodell attended this event.
On his projects with Enactus Benji states: “These projects create something of value that is much larger than myself. In life, there are a lot of events that are memorable, but not many that are truly fulfilling. Enactus provides events that are fulfilling and provides value to the community.”
Post-graduation, Benji wants to manage projects that serve a purpose and change the way people live their lives, making a difference no matter the avenue. Benji’s growth at Fredonia shows the value of hard work and community partnership. Benji looks forward to continuing to develop impactful projects and be an agent of change within his community.
Students can find out about Enactus and the over 170 other campus student organizations each semester at Activities Night. This event allows students, old and new, to learn about each of the school’s extracurricular clubs and groups in a single location, with the opportunity to sign up for each group.