Jared Alicea ’26

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Jared Alicea ’26 grew up in Camden, NJ, where his parents emphasized the importance of education and made significant sacrifices so that he could attend private high school at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, Penn. During the fall of his senior year, a chance encounter changed the course of his college search.

While heading into his college counselor’s office, Alicea crossed paths with Corry Unis, vice president of strategic enrollment management at Fairfield. “He was visiting to conduct admission interviews and he had a packed schedule, but he graciously agreed to meet with me during a lunch break—and the rest is history,” Alicea said. “The significance of that short interaction is immeasurable.”

Months later, Unis called with life-changing news: Alicea had been admitted to Fairfield and was the first student to be offered the opportunity to join The Company Scholars, a program that provides four years of full-tuition support to qualifying students selected from Jesuit and Cristo Rey high schools. “It is hard to explain just how much this scholarship support has changed my life,” he said. “Knowing that my family’s sacrifices paid off means the world.”

Now a senior preparing to graduate in May 2026, Alicea is a finance major with a minor in business law and ethics. While immersing himself in academics and leadership opportunities at Fairfield, his experience in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business has inspired him to continue his studies in the MBA program at Fairfield. Drawn to the practical value of financial fluency, Alicea chose his fields of study with an eye toward long-term personal and professional success. He hopes to one day pair his business background with his creative instincts, potentially in marketing.

Outside the classroom, Alicea has emerged as a campus leader. He joined Fairfield’s Latinx Student Union (LSU) as a first-year student and quickly moved into leadership roles, first as social media coordinator and then as marketing coordinator. In his junior year, he was elected LSU president. Through his participation and leadership, he has helped expand the group’s visibility and increase student participation. “I’m proud I could be a part of the growth we have seen,” he said. “I now look at the club and see exactly what I was looking for as a freshman; we have become one of the largest affinity groups on campus.”

When Alicea arrived at Fairfield, he was excited about the tight-knit community and the coastal setting near New York City. As he prepares to graduate, he is grateful for the growth he’s experienced—academically, professionally, and personally—and the foundation Fairfield has given him for what comes next.