From the Student Senate to academic honors and athletics, sophomore Jessica Matson is getting the most out of every opportunity at Alfred University. Majoring in Marketing and minoring in Communication Studies, she is deeply involved across campus—balancing leadership roles, academics, and athletics while building the skills she’ll need for her future career.
For Jessica, Alfred University was the perfect fit. It offered a strong Business program, the chance to join the women’s lacrosse team, and generous financial support.
“I knew Alfred had a good business school, and being recruited here for the lacrosse team made it even more exciting,” she said.
Jessica is the chair of the Student Senate Marketing Committee, competes on the women’s lacrosse team, and serves as the co-chair of social media for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She’s also actively involved in the Alfred Marketing Association and Women’s Leadership Center, is enrolled in the Honors Program, and works as a student ambassador.
“Being involved in so many clubs and organizations really helped me improve my communication and time-management skills,” she shared. “As you take on more responsibilities, you have to be much more organized.”
She explained that balancing academics, leadership roles, and athletics—especially with weekends spent traveling for games—has taught her to stay focused and disciplined.
“Athletics especially teaches you discipline and how to stay organized when you’re trying to combine academics and sports.”
One of Jessica’s most impactful experiences was a project in her BUSI 106 course, where she and her team developed Saxon Shield, a student-run business offering eco-friendly charcoal pouches designed to eliminate odors in gym bags and lockers.
The project earned second place at the Incubator Works Aha Pitch Fest competition, and the team donated all profits to IMPACT, a local organization that supports nature trails in Allegany County.
“I’m proud of how successful we were with this project. It became really well known among students on campus, especially athletes,” Jessica said. “Even people I didn’t know were coming up to ask me about it.”
Through SAAC, Jessica applies her marketing skills by managing social media and designing graphics for campaigns like 'Saxon for Saxon,' an initiative that highlights student-athletes and brings the campus community together.
“Seeing people share the posts and tag their teammates is the most rewarding part,” she said.
The role has given her hands-on experience in graphic design, digital marketing, and community engagement, allowing her to pursue what she’s passionate about while seeing the impact of her work across campus.
Jessica credits Alfred’s small, diverse campus and close-knit athletic community for giving her a true sense of belonging.
“All of the teams are really close,” she said. “Everyone supports each other, and it really feels like a family here.”
She also appreciates the diversity within Alfred’s campus culture, calling it “its own part of the world” because of how many countries are represented. Meeting people from around the globe has allowed her to form meaningful connections and gain new perspectives.
Looking ahead, Jessica hopes to pursue a career in marketing, earn her MBA, and step into a leadership role. She says her experiences at Alfred—through hands-on projects, athletics, and involvement in student organizations—have strengthened her confidence in her career path.
“I want to make an impact on my field through doing something that I am truly passionate about,” she said.
Reflecting on her time at Alfred University, Jessica sums up her experience in just three words: ‘Diverse and enriching.’
