First-Generation Alumnus Trusts St. John’s as Daughter Continues Legacy

Peter Setaro ’98CBA was a senior at St. John’s when he discovered his future while attending a career fair hosted at the University.    

Mr. Setaro was a Management major at the time at the College of Business Administration (now The Peter J. Tobin College of Business). He had just concluded meeting with representatives of 33 out of 35 companies who attended the event—and was actually on his way out the door—when he was hailed by a professor.

When the professor learned that Mr. Setaro bypassed the booth set up by Enterprise, a worldwide leader in mobility solutions, he asked the student to “do me a favor” and go back for further exploration. “They have an amazing management training program,” the professor told him, knowing that Mr. Setaro was particularly interested in this area of business. “If nothing else, you will learn what makes them successful. I think you will gain valuable insight by checking out Enterprise, whether you work there or not.”

Mr. Setaro agreed, returned to speak with Enterprise recruiter Fayth Litke Holt (who is currently Vice President of Human Resources), and was soon hired to work for the company as a Management Trainee intern for his final year at St. John’s. Those steps led to a 26+ year career at Enterprise, where Mr. Setaro now holds the title of Senior Client Strategy Manager at Enterprise Fleet Management. 

“Being able to find my career when I was in my early 20s was a great accomplishment for me,” said Mr. Setaro, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY.  He also credited St. John’s University Career Services advisers with helping him hone his interview skills and résumé, and provide tips on how to conduct himself at career and internship fairs. 

“Everyone was always so supportive and helpful—and that made my experience at St. John’s terrific,” he reflected. “I am truly grateful for St. John’s University as they opened the door for an enjoyable and rewarding career with an amazing family-owned business like Enterprise.”   

Mr. Setaro was delighted to learn that same level of support still exists for his daughter, Gabriella, who is completing her first year as a member of the third cohort of students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, which is based at the University’s state-of-the-art St. Vincent Health Sciences Center.

He vividly recalled a day when Gabriella, accompanied by her parents, visited the health sciences center during orientation week with the hope they could get a glimpse inside the facility. While they were entering the building, the family was approached by Pamela Gregory-Fernandez, PA-C, GEA, DFAAPA, Associate Professor/Industry Professional at the University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

“She asked if she could help us with anything and offered to give us a tour, which we happily accepted. She was so accommodating and answered any questions we had,” said Mr. Setaro. “Dr. Fernandez treated us like family, and we felt so at ease and welcomed.”

“I was so pleased that my daughter felt that sense of being in a welcoming environment and included at St. John’s, in the same way that I did so many years ago when I was new to the University. That feeling of being part of a family is still alive and well at St. John’s.”