Stories

Crafting a Purposeful Life: One Veteran’s Path Through Service, Art, and Leadership

a male student in graduation regalia

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.

Wood carved and bound. Art by Robert Salvato
Wood carved and bound. Art by Robert Salvato
Wood carved and bound. Art by Robert Salvato.

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?

Robert Salvato reads the biography of a WW2 U.S. soldier. The event was in honor of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Florence and held at the Florence American Cemetery.
Robert Salvato and his classmates during the study abroad program in Italy.

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.

How an Online Project Management Degree Boosts Career Flexibility and Growth

Embarking on a project management degree is an exciting and rewarding journey, especially when pursued in an online format that provides flexibility and independence. Whether balancing work, personal interests, or professional responsibilities, online learning offers unique opportunities to tailor education to fit a busy lifestyle.

In this Q&A, we explore Kaija Dockter’s experiences and perspectives from the Project Management M.P.S. program. Learn how flexibility, collaboration, and real-world applications make online learning both practical and inspiring

As a full-time Special Event Coordinator at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, my schedule doesn’t align with the typical 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. class times, and I often work at events during evenings and weekends. On a personal note, I have a passion for traveling, and the ability to study from anywhere with an internet connection allows me to explore new places without sacrificing my academic goals. Online learning provides me with the flexibility to study during unconventional hours and from various locations.

I aim to build upon the solid foundation I have in events, which are essentially large projects, and expand my transferable skills. After learning key theories in hospitality management during my undergraduate program and having a few years of experience in the industry, I appreciate the applied focus of this master’s program. Learning to use various project management tools and gaining hands-on practice through assignments has been particularly beneficial. Specifically, the Global Projects and Virtual Project Management class would prepare me to work with international companies and potentially open doors to living abroad—both paths I have been eager to explore.

At the start of each week, I write in my planner all the meetings, appointments, and personal obligations that occur at specific times. Then, I add my class assignments and professional tasks, being cognizant to balance the overall workload for each day.

I now approach everyday tasks through the lens of the project management life cycle. Whether I’m planning my wedding and developing contingency plans for inclement weather, listening to László in The Brutalist discuss the construction schedule for his architectural project, or hearing a podcast explain how the creative advancements in technology stemmed from working with limited resources, I see parallels to project management in nearly every aspect of life.

In group projects, I’ve found that creating a group text is the most effective way to keep everyone updated on progress and help with accountability. Since not everyone responds promptly to emails, text messaging provides a more accessible and immediate way to communicate.

My advisor has been very supportive during the early stages of this online program! He quickly familiarized me with the online platforms and is always accessible via email or virtual meetings.

Learning best practices in project management has not only strengthened my skills but also introduced me to new frameworks that I’ve already applied in my current role. I now have a deeper understanding of the different types of projects and the various stages of a project’s life cycle, from initiation to closure. As I look forward to completing this degree and potentially earning a certificate from the Project Management Institute, I’m confident that I’ll be able to diversify my career options, whether continuing within the hospitality industry or exploring new fields.

The quality of engagement in online courses depends entirely on your personal contributions. To build relationships with classmates and instructors and to deepen your understanding of the content, you must actively participate in discussion boards and weekly Zoom sessions. It may be cliché, but you really get out of the experience what you put into it.

Schedule an in-person or virtual coffee chat with a current student or recent alum from the program! Speaking with someone who has firsthand experience gave me valuable insights into the application process, course content, program structure, and post-graduation opportunities.

Ready to build the career you’ve always dreamed of? Our Project Management degrees, certificates, and minors offer you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead successful projects in today’s dynamic business environment. Whether you’re aiming for a managerial role or looking to enhance your expertise, our programs empower you to tackle complex challenges, drive innovation, and lead teams toward project success.

Don’t wait to lead. Apply now and start making an impact!

Project Management Programs

English Language Institute Student Reaches for the Stars

Kazuma Nagao visits the Kennedy Space Center.

Although Japanese student Kazuma Nagao had never been to the United States, he knew that studying abroad to learn English would help him inch closer to fulfilling his dream of becoming an astronaut. He had no idea, though, that this chance would bring him into contact with NASA astronauts and a community that supported his dream.

Nagao, an aerospace engineering major concentrating in fluid dynamics at Tokai University, seized the opportunity to study overseas at the English Language Institute (ELI) at Syracuse University. The 30-year partnership allows students in Japan to take part in the rigorous language learning program, studying English textually and orally five days a week. Nagao credits the ELI with giving him not only improved English skills, but also strong friendships and a new outlook on his career goals.

In this Q&A with Nagao, learn more about his experience at the ELI, the connections he made, and his favorite moments during his time at Syracuse University.

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Syracuse University Graduate Tells Stories With Vintage Clothes at the Black Citizens Brigade

Cjala Surratt ’22 in her shop, Black Citizens Brigade. / Hope Alvarez

On a recent trip to visit extended family, Cjala Surratt ’22, Syracuse University alumna and founder of the Black Citizens Brigade, was presented with a gift– her late grandmother’s boiler room jacket. Surratt’s grandmother had been a ship-fitter in Norfolk, Virginia, and the clothing item had been a welcome surprise for Surratt, a vintage clothing fanatic.

Even more surprising than the jacket, however, was the history behind the woman who wore it. “Did you know she was the first Black female union leader for the shipyard?” a relative asked Surratt during her visit. Surratt’s grandmother, who had stepped up to do the job no one else wanted, had been trailed by a security detail at the time, as the owners of the commercial port were against unionization.

“I was like, wait, what?” says Surratt. “This is exactly what I mean– that clothes can be the prompt for these broader stories.”

For Suratt, clothes have always been a conduit for storytelling. Following her graduation from Syracuse University and ten subsequent years spent as the Director of Marketing for Light Work, the University’s nonprofit photography studio, Suratt opened the Black Citizens Brigade, a downtown storefront dedicated to amplifying Black history through clothes, books, and art.

“For Black and brown people, or those who’ve historically experienced economic disparity, upcycling has always been an economic imperative,” says Surratt. “I think I’m part of continuing that legacy.”

Surratt’s grandmother’s jacket is displayed at the Black Citizens Brigade. / Hope Alvarez

Legacy is the through line of Surratt’s work. Her love of vintage clothing came from growing up in a family of seamstresses, milliners, and creatives. During the early days of COVID-19, Surratt and her daughter would peruse the racks of Goodwill, one of the few businesses open at the time. With many elders being pushed into nursing homes, the pandemic made thrift stores abundant with discarded clothes from families cleaning out their parents’ closets, says Surratt.

Once her home began overflowing with garments from thrifting trips, she decided it was time to finally take the leap and pursue establishing her own shop. After months of working with the Syracuse Downtown Committee, scouring listings for vacant storefronts, and organizing her collection, Surratt opened the Black Citizens Brigade in June of 2023 and has been providing downtown Syracuse with an eclectic mix of clothing, culture, and community ever since.     

Today, Black Citizens Brigade sells hard-to-find items that center on Black history, specializing in clothes from the 1950s-1980s, along with vintage books, magazines, and records. The time period of the clothes is an ode to Surratt’s fascination with the aesthetics of that time, while the book selections represent her commitment to education. 

“The clothes and the books are prompts for larger conversations about race, culture, history, and gender,” says Surratt. “And so, the books all center on Black community, Black history, Black culture.”

Surratt’s blending of learning through culture stretches back to her time at Syracuse University, where she studied Stage Theatre through the College of Visual and Performing Arts and minored in Cultural Anthropology and Psychology. Later on, she came back as a continuing education student to finish credits part-time through the College of Professional Studies. She credits specific parts of her education, such as doing character studies that involved thinking about the history of trends, as helping her in her current career.

“The common thread is understanding people– a desire to know why people arrive at the choices they make, and also a deep curiosity about culture and community,” she says.

Since its opening, Black Citizens Brigade has Surratt’s community to thank for the store’s success. She’s leveraged her upbringing in Syracuse and attendance and former job at the University to bring more attention to her space.

Downtown, where businesses founded by BIPOC owners statistically don’t last as long as businesses with white business owners, is where the physical storefront is located, Surratt says. However, Surratt knows that being a visible part of the community beyond the brick-and-mortar is crucial, as it shares the message that Black and brown businesses are here to stay.

“We’re at a very pivotal time in our city to bring the message,” says Surratt.

Looking forward, Surratt hopes to expand her storefront and host interactive events, such as poetry workshops and listening sessions. In her store lined with archival photos of Black domestic life, Surratt is aiming to cultivate a feeling of homecoming for all who enter.

“I want it to feel like you’re coming into a Black family photo album.”

Items available at the Black Citizens Brigade / Hope Alvarez

By Isabel Bekele

Butter to Bronze: Syracuse University Grad Shaped Her Life and Artistic Vision in Central New York

The next time you spread a pat of butter on toast, smile then give a nod to local artist and sculptor Sharon BuMann, VPA ‘84. Over many years, the Syracuse University graduate used the malleable, edible element to form numerous beloved sculptures commissioned by the New York State Fair.

Driving around Syracuse, keep your eye out for mammoth figures chiseled in bronze or other hearty materials. Sharon’s expert, compassionate hands have either restored existing pieces or created new works to reflect the city’s rich history.

On Oct. 25, Syracuse Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens presided over a proclamation ceremony at the Jerry Rescue Monument in Clinton Square to honor Sharon in recognition of her lifetime achievements and contributions to the Central New York community.

From Butter to Bronze

The creator of many of Syracuse’s best-known pieces of public art, Sharon earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from Syracuse, conferred by the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and administered through the College of Professional Studies, in 1984. Previously, she had earned an associate degree in graphic arts from Onondaga Community College. She’s also pursued post graduate study at the Lyme Academy and the University of Hartford in Connecticut.

Almost 40 years later, “Sharon BuMann Day” was proclaimed by the City of Syracuse. October is the month in which the Jerry Rescue occurred 172 years ago, reinforcing the date and location of the ceremony. Sharon has deep family and artistic roots in Central New York, having been raised in Central Square, just north of Syracuse near Oneida Lake. Her grandmother, also an artist, gave 11-year-old Sharon her first sketch book.

Years later, Sharon designed and created the Jerry Rescue Monument, commemorating the rescue of fugitive slave William “Jerry” Henry when citizens of Syracuse stormed his jail cell in 1851 and helped him escape to freedom in defiance of the Fugitive Slave Act.

Among other works in Syracuse, she also created the Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten statue on the city’s southside, honoring the world-renowned folk and blues singer from North Carolina who decided to live out her days in the city. Sharon formed the Mountain Goat Monument in Upper Onondaga Park that celebrates the annual 10-mile run and was involved in the exterior structural design of the Onondaga County War Memorial that pays tribute to veterans in Syracuse and around the world, for which she and her team received the ACI Grand Award of Excellence.

Artistic Values and Virtues

In addition to creating her artistic works, Sharon and her husband grew their family to include two children — daughter Amy, a healthcare professional in Western New York, and son George, also a sculptor — who attended the presentation. A graduate of SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry with a B.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology, George, who also earned a M.S. in Wildlife Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, shared thoughts during the ceremony.

He talked about values and virtues Sharon has created throughout her career. “As much of what my mother modeled through her work speaks to liberty, equality, women’s suffrage, and abolitionism, she also wove these elements among her everyday life,” he said. “These still live in the bricks and mortar of the Jerry Rescue monument and other works, but my mother’s ‘invisible moments’ have become cherished memories for those who’ve been able to work with her or share her company.”

Inclusivity and Diversity

George further remarked, “Inclusivity has always been a central part of my mother’s personal philosophy, her career, and our family. My sister and I absorbed many of these lessons passively without realizing them, often around the dinner table that served as the impromptu story time for our family. Not until years later would we understand how fortunate we were, as our world was one that did not distinguish between people based upon color, creed or any other orientation. This came with the implicit understanding that we are infinitely more productive, creative and resilient when we work together as one.”

Sharon’s Syracuse University experience came first as a student and then as an art instructor in VPA. College of Professional Studies Dean Michael Frasciello notes that Sharon’s outlook about life and relationships align perfectly with the philosophy of the University and the College. “We strive to provide access to the university experience to all people to expand the thinking, understanding and respect we need to survive — and thrive — locally and globally,” he says.

Community Partnerships to Create Art

Sharon has worked diligently to share her artistic vision in Syracuse and across the country, crediting many individuals with her success as a prolific contributor to the Central New York landscape: Syracuse University faculty and administrative leadership; those in local government who’ve seen the value of the public art scene; and community volunteers and cheerleaders, including John Marsellus and Chet Whiteside, who paved the way for many of the projects that reflect her creative spirit.

Throughout the years, she has continually attended workshops and prides herself on the vast amount of independent study and research that informs her work. Sharon says that “life-long learning is a philosophy I live by,” in keeping with the mission of the College of Professional Studies.

Now in her later years, Sharon is enjoying life at a more relaxed pace, though art and sculpture remain part of her daily existence. “My dream and my choice have been, from a very young age, to work as a professional artist,” she says.

While Sharon has created many works using many media, never underestimate what the talent — and passion — of one woman can do as you spread that tiny pat across your bread.

The Syracuse University-trained, Central New York native holds the Guinness World Record for the largest butter sculpture ever assembled, a model of Big Tex, an icon of the Texas State Fair, that was displayed at that venue weighing in at 4,077 pounds. As monumental as this task may seem, Sharon sums it up simply: “I just love what I do.”

Are you interested in helping to nurture artistic expression in those who are studying through Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies? Learn more by contacting Executive Director, Post Traditional Advancement, Jeffry Comanici, ’88, G ’23, at 315.443.1409 or jjcomani@syr.edu.
 
By Cheryl Abrams