Business Administration Student Commits to Campus Engagement at Trent Durham
Second year student A.J. Recana believes mixing academics with student life activities is key to success
Business student, music enthusiast, environmental activist, student association representative, student staff member… and the list goes on to describe Arlen (A.J.) Recana, a second-year Business Administration major at Trent University Durham – GTA.
Fully engaged in campus life at Trent Durham, Mr. Recana juggles his academics with countless extracurricular activities and initiatives, promoting a holistic approach to the university experience.
“Getting involved in campus life gives me a great deal of purpose as a student and as a member of the Trent University Durham community,” He notes. “I have been able to establish connections with individuals that make me feel more aligned and in tune with the campus culture and community.”
Mr. Recana is chair to the Board of Directors for the Trent Durham Student Association (TDSA), the environmental representative for the TDSA, a student representative on the Trent Durham Environmental Advisory Board and is employed as a student engagement assistant on campus.
In his spare time, he founded an Urban Fusion Dance troupe on campus and joined a student acapella group, called ‘The High Keys.’ He also DJ’s at various on-campus functions, including Open House events and at Orientation.
“My interest in all things music emerged through my introduction to the arts at a young age,” notes Mr. Recana. “I think that both the dance club and the acapella group demonstrates the creativity, passion, courage, and dynamics of the Trent student body. It gives us a creative outlet and encourages us to expose the diversity of our interests.”
With only a few weeks left of class time before his second year at Trent is complete, Mr. Recana acknowledges that he’s already learned some valuable life lessons from his university experience thus far. “My student life involvement helps prepare to me for the job sector – I’ve improved so many soft skills such as leadership, active listening, building trust, establishing rapport, asking for clarification, and problem-solving. These are the types of skills that can’t be taught in a book or in the classroom.”