Daniel Montez `21, a native of San Antonio, Texas, admits that though far from home, he has found his second home at Mercy College. Indeed, in his four years of study Montez has taken advantage of every opportunity to absorb, discover and propel his future through Mercy. As an honors business student, residing on the Dobbs Ferry campus, he carried many leadership roles during his four years. Montez has balanced an active academic and social life all while carrying a 40-hour a week work schedule. He credits this work experience with Lessing’s Catering, starting as a barista his freshman year, with its profound influence on shaping who he is today. Montez currently serves as a supervisor overseeing Lessing’s campus locations and multiple special events.

Montez’s interest in student philanthropy has led him to collaborate on various collegewide projects, in both ambassador and contributor roles. As a co-founder of the Mercy Leaders Club and lead coordinator of its Operation Backpack project, he rallied a team of students to assemble and deliver 160 backpacks loaded with donated school supplies to public school children in need. His tireless desire for the full-scope of the Mercy experience also led him to seek a study abroad opportunity, in which he pivoted his junior year to coursework offered at the University of New South Wales in Australia.

This year, Montez began work as an office assistant to Dean Lloyd Gibson in the School of Business to help broaden his skillsets. Like many students navigating college during the pandemic, Montez has endured and overcome many challenges. Trials that shaped his senior year included setbacks related to contracting COVID-19 and isolating during mandated quarantines, and harboring worry for his Texas based family during the hurricanes; all of this while maintaining a 3.6 grade point average. Recently, he was accepted into our M.B.A. program and plans to continue his studies this fall, simultaneously serving as a resident assistant on the Dobbs Ferry campus.

Montez’ ability to look deeply within himself and rise above challenges are enabled by his characteristic optimistic outlook and belief in the role of teamwork and unity. “Mercy has shown me that if I bring my friends with me and we’re all successful it could open many doors for all of our futures.”