As the College of Professional Studies student marshal, Robert Salvato embodies the spirit of dedication and leadership. A veteran, artist, and leader, Salvato’s path has been anything but ordinary. Yet throughout his diverse journey, Salvato has remained grounded in two constants: a deep passion for meaningful work and a commitment to purpose-driven living.
In this Q&A, Salvato reflects on the experiences that have shaped him, the values that connect each chapter of his life, and how earning a B.P.S. in project management is guiding his next steps.
Your journey has been incredibly diverse, from military service to interactive sculpting, farming, museum management, and now project management. What has been the common thread tying all these experiences together?
The common threads have been twofold. First, following what I love to do and what inspires me. My love for service and adventure led me to join the Navy, and my passion for creativity and expression led me to the museum and then to creating my own artwork.
Second was dedicating myself to connecting with a place and allowing things to unfold. When my wife and I purchased an abandoned farm with a dilapidated old farmhouse twenty-plus years ago, I determined that I would interact with the resources on the property and let them and my imagination guide me. The native trees contained tonal qualities on par with exotic imported woods, perfect for musical instrument making. Some trees are considered “invasive” but are rot-resistant and sinuously curvy, naturally sculptural and inviting. The soil had failed the previous generations because it wasn’t receptive to conventional farming techniques, but it became abundant and fertile with a patient and organic approach.
What drives your dedication to academic excellence, and how has your life journey, service in the U.S. Navy and your time at Syracuse University shaped you as a leader?
In the Navy, I learned the importance of attention to detail and how rewarding it is to give all of yourself and your very best to a mission. I try to apply those concepts to all of my endeavors. Academic excellence comes from following directions, organizing an approach, and giving the best effort possible.
My time in the U.S. Navy exposed me to many leadership styles, which shaped me as a leader. I observed others in leadership roles, assessed their effectiveness, and eventually tried out my own. My diverse background allows me to connect with people from many different walks of life, and empathy guides my leadership decisions. My time at Syracuse has shaped my leadership style through the level of professionalism I have experienced in my classmates and instructors. I learned how to define the different leadership styles and be intentional in deciding how to lead. The classes in Coaching for Leaders introduced me to new methodologies and resources that I can reference in the future. The study abroad in Florence put me in a unique situation as a “non-traditional” student. Being substantially older than my classmates, I felt obligated to set an example and offer leadership to the other students where appropriate.
As someone who has successfully balanced entrepreneurship, education, and service, what advice would you give to students who are looking to carve out their own unique career paths?
The advice I would offer students who are looking to carve out their own unique career paths is to:
Trust in yourself to do great things. You are capable of much more than you give yourself credit for. Allow yourself to succeed.
Create an environment that allows you to block out negativity and take risks (minimize debt, control your social media, surround yourself with positive colleagues or partners).
Volunteer! It’s a great way to engage with people and organizations that inspire you.
Learn to say no to things that don’t align with your vision.
Utilize the power of networking outside your normal circle; everyone has an interesting story, something to teach, and something in common. This has led me to many synergistic opportunities.
Looking ahead, how do you see your skills in project management, leadership, and creativity shaping your future? Are there any exciting projects or goals on the horizon?
I always have several projects in process and on the horizon.
I was recently accepted into Syracuse’s Instructional Design, Development, and Evaluation graduate program. I hope to gain the tools that will allow me to utilize my unique talents to create inspiring and engaging content that supports diverse learners and drives meaningful change in educational settings.
Looking ahead, I see my project management skills helping me to plan, organize, and execute complex initiatives effectively, while my leadership abilities will enable me to engage teams with empathy and vision. My creativity will continue to be a driving force in developing innovative learning experiences. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work on immersive learning technologies and cross-cultural design projects that make education more accessible and impactful. Teaching in higher education has also been a latent goal.