November 28, 2011
In his nearly 20-year career at St. John's University, Victor
Ramos '91CBA, '93MBA has seen it all - literally.
This double alumnus has held significant positions at all
three of the University's New York City campuses, playing a major
role in the creation of the Manhattan campus in 2001 and previously
serving as Campus Director of both the Manhattan and Staten Island
campuses. He currently serves as the Associate Vice President of
the Division of Institutional Advancement.
"When I first started as a student here at St. John's, we were
only two campuses," Ramos explained. "Now we've branched out,
expanding not only in the number of campuses and number of
buildings, but in the amount of opportunities and programs we offer
our students. It's incredible to have been a part of that
growth."
In his current position, Ramos oversees the day-to-day
operations of all Development and Alumni Relations activities,
working hard to keep alumni and friends connected to the
University. It's an experience he finds immensely rewarding.
"The best part of working in Advancement is that we help provide
resources for students, raising millions of dollars that go towards
scholarships and academics," he noted. "Additionally, it's an
opportunity to help my fellow alumni reconnect with one another and
get them in contact with our current students."
Most notably, Ramos has overseen the expansion of the Alumni
Insider's View...Program (AIV), a series of events in which alumni
give students a behind-the-scenes look at their careers, explaining
what it takes to be successful in the professional world.
"The AIV Program has made tremendous strides, becoming one of
the University's premier initiatives," he said. "Not only do our
alumni enjoy helping students, but they also love coming back to
campus and seeing with their own eyes just how much St. John's has
evolved. And they also find it fascinating to speak with students
and learn about today’s campus life.”
The expansion of AIV is one of many ambitious projects that
Ramos has undertaken throughout his St. John's career.
In 2001, he served as the Integration Director for The College
of Insurance and St. John's University Merger, working closely with
other administrators to ready the Manhattan campus. And after the
tragic events of September 11, 2001, Ramos helped turn that campus
into a respite center for Ground Zero workers, allowing thousands
to use the campus for food, rest and contacting loved ones.
Years later, as Campus Director of the Staten Island campus,
Ramos oversaw the opening of the state-of-the-art DaSilva Academic
Center and the execution of other renovations throughout the
campus.
The long hours and frequent travel between boroughs has
certainly paid off, as Ramos has seen a noticeable difference in
how St. John's is perceived.
"Having campuses right here in Manhattan and Staten Island has
helped to reaffirm us as New York's Catholic institution," he
explained. "With residence halls at each campus, we now have
students from all over the world, and you can tell from talking
with them that we're not considered just 'some school in Queens.'
Students tell me that St. John's is New York, and that's something
you may not have heard years ago."
The growth in alumni culture has also been impressive, and Ramos
- who often brings his wife, Gina ’97MBA, son and other family
members with him to University events - is quick to attribute that
to the University’s welcoming environment.
"We've become much more focused in how we offer events for our
alumni, friends and their families," he said. “Six or seven years
ago, we'd consider it a success if we'd get 50 people at a
particular program. Now, we're regularly welcoming 300 attendees at
our larger gatherings. To see St. John’s expand in this remarkable
way - on top of all the physical growth I’ve witnessed - has truly
been incredible.”