Yvette Cruz ’26

photo of Yvette Cruz '26

What made you want to be a part of The World Needs More Peacocks campaign for Saint Peter’s and what was the most exciting part of being involved?

I wanted to be part of the campaign because Saint Peter’s truly gave me one of the best experiences of my life. From day one, I felt welcomed and supported like I was part of a family. I met so many people who believed in me, pushed me and opened doors to opportunities I never would have imagined for myself. One of the most exciting and surreal parts of being involved in the campaign was actually seeing my face on billboards around Jersey City. My family was so proud, which made the experience even more meaningful.


What was your major and what other organizations/clubs were you involved in? 

I majored in marketing with a minor in international business. I served as President of the Fashion and Modeling Entertainment Club (FAME) in 2023, joined the Center for Leadership Studies Fellowship in 2024, and became the Public Relations Officer for Student Government (Class of 2026) in 2025. I also served as a Resident Assistant in Panepinto Hall from 2023 to 2025, where I was honored with both the Rookie of the Year and All-Star awards. In addition, I was a Peacock Pitch winner in 2023 and continued my involvement with the program as a community outreach mentor. In this academic year, I was inducted into the Alpha Sigma Nu, Most Noble Order of the Peacock Honor Society and the Order of the Cross Keys.


You graduated 6 months early! As you reflect on your time here, what are some of the moments that stand out to you?  

One of the biggest was connecting with the Center for Career Engagement and Experiential Learning (CEEL), who introduced me to the Alumni Engagement department. I worked there as a work-study student for three years, and that experience is really where my love for marketing and event planning started. Helping plan events like the President’s Reception and Hearts & Minds gave me real, hands-on experience and helped me build connections that later shaped my career.

Another huge part of my journey was the mentorship I received. Dr. Issa encouraged me to join the Center for Leadership Studies Fellowship, which helped me grow both personally and professionally. I was also lucky enough to have Dr. Gargouri as a mentor throughout my entire college experience. She supported me in everything I did, introduced me to opportunities like the Peacock Pitch competition, which I won my freshman year, and the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce mentorship program, and constantly pushed me to be my best, both in and out of the classroom.

I am incredibly proud of graduating with a 4.0 GPA in just three and a half years. Balancing school, work and leadership roles while still having a life wasn’t easy, but it taught me so much about discipline, confidence and believing in myself. What stands out most to me is how supported I felt throughout my time at Saint Peter’s and how much I grew because of it.


Any plans yet post graduation? 

I was fortunate to receive a return offer from Verisk, where I previously interned for two summers, first as a sales intern and then as a marketing intern working with the experiential and social media marketing teams. I officially started full-time on January 7th as an Experiential Marketing Coordinator.

So far, it has been incredibly rewarding to apply what I learned in the classroom and through campus involvement to my work. I currently help plan monthly internal company events like happy hours and holiday parties, assist with merchandising and employee store fulfillment, and support large conferences by coordinating client dinners and event logistics. I’m excited to continue growing in this role and, in the future, I plan to pursue a master’s degree in public relations.


Why does the world need more Peacocks? 

Peacocks lead by living the values that Saint Peter’s instills in its students, and I experienced that firsthand. I practiced compassion by making sure residents felt supported, heard, and part of a welcoming community while serving as a Resident Assistant. I embraced magis, striving for more, by graduating with a 4.0 GPA in just three and a half years, leading FAME as president, and taking on leadership roles like the Center for Leadership Studies Fellowship. I learned to make thoughtful decision-making by choosing opportunities that aligned with my career goals like joining the Peacock Pitch competition, applying for internships at Verisk, and participating in the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce mentorship program. And through service to others, whether mentoring students, planning alumni events or supporting community outreach programs, I discovered that leadership is about using your skills to make a positive impact. Being a Peacock isn’t just about standing out, it’s about combining confidence, purpose and compassion to grow yourself while uplifting others. Saint Peter’s taught me these lessons every step of the way, and that’s why the world needs more Peacocks.