Sleyker was involved in organizations including Habitat for Humanity (treasurer), DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) (vice president), Latin American Student Organization and Delta Sigma Pi (vice president of scholarship and awards).
Why Sleyker Chose Rider
After earning his associate degree in business administration, Sleyker hoped to transfer to a four-year institution that offered a strong sense of community and support. Additionally, he wanted to find an institution that would help him reduce the financial barriers to completing his bachelor’s degree.
During his search, Sleyker came across Rider’s and its prestigious Transfer Trustee Scholarship, which is a full-tuition scholarship awarded only to three top graduates of community colleges. He later reached out to various staff at Rider to learn more about the University and the scholarship opportunity. The strong guidance and support he received from staff, along with the connections he made with them during the process let Sleyker know he’d found his place at Rider.
Sleyker put his all into perfecting his application for admission and the scholarship, and his hard work later paid off after he was accepted and selected to be a Trustee Scholar.
Rider University opened the door for me to continue my education. For this, I will always be grateful. It was at Rider where I obtained my first accounting internship. If I continue on this path and continue doing the right things, I know I will have a successful career ahead of me. I know Rider will support me on this journey and I have my Rider family to lean on.”
Accounting B.S.B.A.
Rider’s Impact on Sleyker
Attending Rider not only helped Sleyker grow academically but provided him with unique experiences and opportunities outside of the classroom that helped him to develop himself as a leader.
In his time at the University, he held several leadership positions including the role of chief of staff for student workers in Rider’s Center of Diversity and Inclusion (CDI). Here he works with the department to act as a resource for students, provide planning support for CDI mentoring programs and help with hosting heritage month events. Through his work with the CDI, and classroom collaborations with fellow students, he learned the importance of being an inclusive leader. As a result, he always works to ensure that “everyone is accepted no matter how different they are and that everyone has an equal opportunity to speak at the table.”
Alongside his work with the CDI, Sleyker also held leadership positions with Habitat for Humanity, DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) and Delta Sigma Pi. He was also been involved with the Latin American Student Organization and the CDI’s Multicultural Student Leadership Institute (MSLI), which is a program that supports first-year and transfer students from diverse backgrounds in their transition to college.
One of the best things I’ve learned at Rider is how to be a good leader. I learned to work with people who have different cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and work ethics.”
Accounting B.S.B.A.
Looking Ahead
As a first-generation student and immigrant from Venezuela, Sleyker will be the first in his family to earn a college degree. In the summer of 2022, he completed his second accounting internship with the accounting firm Ernst & Young (EY) and has a goal to obtain his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and land a full-time position with the firm.
Sleyker’s advice for fellow and future Rider students is to persevere and focus on their own path. He notes that though he's faced difficulties along the way as a first-generation student, he’s learned not to compare himself to others, and to push through any obstacles that get in the way of his journey.