Faith, Service, Academics at SHU Affect Student’s Life
Junior Steven Lucero builds a foundation for his future through involvement at SHU
For Sacred Heart University junior Steven Lucero, SHU has been more than a place to earn a college degree. It’s also a place that helped him find purpose and reconnect to his religion. This evolution has brought him a direction for his future, as well as the honor of being elected president of SHU’s Greek life honor society, Order of Omega.
The organization only admits juniors and seniors involved in Greek life who have exemplified high standards in academics, leadership and involvement in their respective fraternity or sorority. The group’s purpose is to recognize sorority and fraternity members who have attained high standards of leadership, encourage them to continue their efforts, bring together SHU community members and create an atmosphere in which to discuss ideas and issues.
Lucero, an exercise science major, said he is proud of his new role and is excited to start accepting a new round of students to the chapter. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, Order of Omega events and fundraising initiatives had to be set aside this semester. Lucero hopes that, once college life resumes on campus, the chapter can start giving back to the community by helping the SPCA of CT, an animal shelter in Monroe.
Lucero’s journey to Order of Omega president wasn’t a direct route—there were challenges along the way. Yet, during the past three years, he reconnected with his faith, discovered causes he wants to support and found the career path he wants to pursue.
Choosing SHU
In high school, Lucero planned to study physical therapy and applied to colleges in the tri-state area that offered these courses. He visited various colleges, he said, but none impressed him.
While walking across SHU’s campus on a tour, however, Lucero could see himself here. And when he visited the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, he had a sense that it was the epicenter of what SHU was all about.
“It was a cloudy day when we toured, but that didn’t take anything away from how beautiful the campus was,” Lucero said.
During his first year, Lucero experienced roommate issues and felt unsure about his future at the University. Then he made a pact with a friend: they promised each other they would make the best out of their spring semesters and start getting involved in SHU.
Lucero heard about a vacant spot on the Student Government Senate. He got the position during his first fall at SHU and held it through his sophomore year as well. He became executive vice president for senate his junior year and was re-elected for his senior year.
Eager for more, Lucero joined the Beta Theta Phi fraternity. “I felt that this really gave me a connection to the community, and I started getting involved with community service,” he said.
His fraternity’s philanthropy is the Thomas Matthew Miloscia Foundation, an organization that provides financial and emotional support to children and adolescents battling cancer. “We hold this philanthropy dear to our heart,” Lucero said. He added that Beta Theta Phi has raised thousands of dollars to support the charity’s mission.
Lucero volunteered for clean-up efforts in Bridgeport. He and his fraternity brothers picked up trash around the city and talked to residents, getting to know their stories while also promoting smart living habits.
“At this point, I really felt like I had more of a purpose,” Lucero said. By the end of his freshmen year, there was no looking back. He had established strong roots at SHU.
Finding the right career fit
Lucero was accepted to SHU as an exercise science major and was pre-admitted to SHU’s doctor of physical therapy program. During an introductory health science course, Lucero learned about public health and realized that was the field he wanted to pursue. He changed his graduate program to that area, intending to use his exercise science experience to help implement healthy lifestyles in communities.
“If it wasn’t for that intro class, I would never have found public health,” Lucero said.
Even with the global coronavirus crisis, Lucero has no reservations about entering a field with a new set of challenges.
“Personally, it’s made me kind of excited,” Lucero said of the pandemic. “I want to be in a field with so much going on. I want to offer what I can. I want to come up with new, innovative ideas.”
He hopes to achieve a career in health administration, where he can develop policy and help communities understand the importance of healthy lifestyles and habits. Lucero said he could see himself working in Bridgeport, a city he has come to love. “I want to do everything I can to help,” he said.
Rediscovering faith
During the spring of Lucero’s sophomore year, he took a Catholic intellectual tradition (CIT) course taught by Michael Iannazzi, SHU’s vice president of marketing and communications and chief of staff, and Father Anthony Ciorra, vice president of mission and Catholic identity. “I didn’t think too much of the class,” Lucero admitted. “I wasn’t really that religious.” Lucero was raised Catholic, but after receiving his confirmation, he stopped going to Mass, even on holidays.
One day in class, Ciorra divulged that he sometimes has doubts about his religion. Lucero said hearing this from a priest opened his eyes and made him feel differently about his faith. “I thought because I had doubts that I shouldn’t practice my faith,” he said.
Lucero started to explore his religion in the class, listening as his peers asked insightful questions. He enjoyed being part of such an interactive class with transparent instructors who were willing to talk about sensitive-yet-engaging topics.
As a teacher, Ciorra said, he treats his classroom as a place of hospitality. “It’s a place where everyone is welcome, and it’s a place where students have the freedom to express whatever they are feeling.”
Creating a comfortable place where all opinions are regarded with respect establishes a relationship and bond between teacher and students, Ciorra said. His approach to teaching the CIT class is to engage with students and give them space and time to react. With this teaching approach, he said, he often sees students grow in the classroom, as with Lucero
“As a teacher, all we can do is plant the seeds,” Ciorra said.
As he watched Lucero develop, Ciorra could tell he was a thinker. “He’s a serious person. He’s reflective,” said the priest, who’s gratified to know his class reconnected Lucero with his Catholic identity.
After Lucero reconnected with his faith, he began going back to church. When on campus, he would go to church with his girlfriend’s parents in Trumbull and attended Mass in SHU’s chapel with his fraternity brothers when he could.
Sense of purpose
While Lucero struggled his freshman year, he was determined to make a difference. He devoted himself to his mission, and the results were impressive.
Lucero said he has always wanted to help people. On SHU’s senate, he’s able to help his peers and the University community, and he contributes to the greater good of society through his fraternity, assisting nonprofits, people and regions in need. He is especially proud of his work on the 2019 Student Government Turkey Drive, an annual fundraising endeavor that provides needy Bridgeport residents with Thanksgiving dinners. With his help, Student Government surpassed its goal by nearly $6,000.
“Getting involved gave me a sense of purpose,” he said. “It helped me find my way.”
Photo caption: Steven Lucero helped with the distribution of Thanksgiving food for the needy at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Bridgeport last November.