By Max Robinette, Associate Editor

La Roche students met the last candidate for the Assistant Director of Student Development position in the Ryan Room on Friday, March 18.

This was the last of four such meetings. Students had an opportunity to ask candidates questions about their qualifications, personal attitudes, and vision regarding student development at La Roche.

Will Dzuricsko was born an hour and a half north of Pittsburgh in Hermitage, PA.

Dzuricsko has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Susquehanna University. He received his master’s from Slippery Rock University for Student Affairs in Higher Education.

For a brief time during his graduate program, Dzuricsko interned at La Roche. He worked in the Student Development Office under Director David Day.

Upon earning his MA, Dzuricsko worked for Lycoming College’s Residence Life office. He also co-advised the campus’ event planning department.

“I won’t lie – it got chaotic at points. But I learned to keep the peace,” he said.

Dzuricsko went on to work at Purdue-Fort Wayne University’s Student Activities Board. There, he planned events of all shapes and sizes, including the campus’ traditional “Chancellor’s Chili Fest.”

“We did a little bit of everything from big carnivals to small, grab-bag events. We always tried to give our events variety and make them diverse,” he said.

Among his accomplishments, Dzuricsko once organized a Smash Mouth concert on Lycoming College’s campus.

At La Roche, Dzuricsko acknowledges the toll of the pandemic on student life. He also sees this time as an opportunity for La Roche.

“Realistically, it’ll probably be a struggle to bring back student life for a while,” he said. “It’s also a very fun position to be in. We have an opportunity to bring back old traditions or even bring new traditions to campus.”

He remains steadfast in acknowledging the true goal of a university – to provide an education.

“Events are fun, but, at the end of the day, we just want students to graduate,” he said.

In his free time, Dzuricsko likes to investigate his family tree and learn stories about his family’s past.