Countdown to Commencement 2022: Alyssa Gara

Corporate finance and accounting major Alyssa Gara is the next member of the Class of 2022 to be featured in the “Countdown to Commencement” series. Gara was nominated by Erin Barry, director of the Institute for Civic and Community Engagement.

The Niagara Falls, New York, native is a First-Generation Scholar executive board member and is the Teddi Dance for Love finance committee captain. In addition, she is part of the School of Business Dean’s Student Advisory Council, Delta Sigma Pi, and Beta Gamma Sigma. In her nomination, Barry recalled that she first met Gara in the fall of 2018 when she was a freshman.

“Alyssa leans in with genuine curiosity and excellence, always giving all of herself to all that she does,” said Barry.  “I was her Instructor for her leadership seminar junior year, in addition to the advisor for the Scholarship Program, and was incredibly impressed when I got to read her essays and see her present in class. As a young aspiring businesswoman, I have every confidence that she will be an amazing asset to an industry that is male-dominated traditionally and represent Fisher proudly.”

Barry also mentioned how Gara is an excellent student, a natural leader, an amazing writer, and a bright, inquisitive contributor. Barry believes that she is going to be an ambitious superstar that is identified early on as a strong contributor, wherever she lands. Given her role as a Scholar, Barry sees her serving in non-profit board seats and pushing agencies to embrace corporate responsibility programs.

As previously mentioned, Gara is a First-Generation Scholar, an important part of her Fisher journey.  “This program has taught me so much - I’ve been able to volunteer in the Rochester community the past four years and this was the reason I chose Fisher,” said Gara.

After graduation, Gara will be joining the operations development program at M&T Bank in Buffalo, NY, with a position in banking services.