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Students celebrate their achievements at Fisher Commencement.

The Fisher Edge

St. John Fisher University has focused on teaching, learning, and scholarship in a student-centered environment for more than 75 years.

Opportunities were available to me because I had a community of advocates behind me. — Alexandra Hristodoulou

Opportunities were available to me because I had a community of advocates behind me. — Alexandra Hristodoulou

Fisher offers an environment that has led our graduates to success for generations. As an institution steeped in tradition and academic excellence, we pride ourselves in providing an experience that will give you an edge both professionally and personally, preparing you for a life of purpose. 

The Fisher Edge is the University's integrated approach to student success that will offer you premier opportunities to excel academically, benefit from team-based advising, get a head start with career exploration, take advantage of internships and other experiential learning opportunities, and on-time degree completion in four years or less.

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Academic Pathways

Through degree maps and an annual course schedule, you will follow your academic path to on-time degree completion in four years or less. These detailed degree pathways will be defined for every major and will not only include coursework, but recommended opportunities outside of the classroom including experiential learning, study abroad, internships, and more.

Team-Based Advising

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Benefit from a team-based advising and support system beginning in your first year through to your senior year and beyond. Your advising team will guide you from orientation to job placement through a coordinated and integrated system. They will help you prepare, participate, and reflect on the theoretical and practical knowledge you gain in and out of the classroom so that you develop the edge you need for success at Fisher and beyond. What’s more, you will leave your time at Fisher armed with materials to help you secure your next path, whether it be graduate school or a career.

Career Exploration

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Personalized career exploration will be embedded in the curriculum with targeted activities each year to help identify your track and keep you on that track for your post-graduation goals. Fisher’s strong alumni network and community partnerships will provide you with opportunities for internships, shadowing, fieldwork, research, community-based projects, informational interviews, co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and job placements – all chosen by you to support your personal growth and professional readiness.

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Your Signature Experience

The Fisher Edge will lead you to create your own signature experience - one that fits your academic interests, personal ambitions, and career aspirations.

Jenna Vinoya ’24 shares her signature experience

Not only did Jenna Vinoya make an incredible impact on the Fisher community in the Student Government Association - her work spread throughout Rochester and beyond through her work with Refugees Helping Refugees.

Mia Donohue ’24 shares her signature experience

Mia Donohue made an impact on Fisher's campus over the past several years - including (just to name a few examples) founding the Fisher Student Respect Alliance and working with the JED Foundation.

Connect to Fisher

  • Congrats to Cardinals with @sjfama who won big at this year's AMA International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans! Johnny Aiello, Nico LaRosa, Connor Dziulko, Dylan Stoller, and Jake Woolingham won first place in the Marketing Business Simulation Competition. The event tested the marketing skills of the team, assessing their ability to devise strategies that would satisfy demanding customers, beat aggressive competitors, and build a healthy bottom line through an innovative simulation. Luke Strassberger was a finalist in the Sales Competition, and became the first Fisher student to earn a Top 10 spot in the Perfect Pitch Competition, coming in sixth place.

  • St. John Fisher University’s Athletics Department inducted 164 student-athletes into the inaugural class of its newly launched chapter of the National College Athlete Honor Society, Chi Alpha Sigma. https://www.sjf.edu/news-and-events/news-archive/spring-2025/164-student-athletes-join-chi-alpha-sigma/

  • In addition to her achievements on the basketball court, Emily McLaughlin has also worked as a peer mentor, a member of the orientation team, and as part of Athlete-to-Athlete, advocating for mental health wellbeing among student-athletes. Full video: youtu.be/92RZaRnulWc https://t.co/BzW0WtzR92

  • As part of Fisher’s commitment to community-engaged learning, Dr. Monica Hodis, associate professor in the School of Business, brought students from her social media marketing class on an educational field trip to Mercy Flight Central, a non-profit organization that provides life-saving air medical services. https://www.sjf.edu/news-and-events/news-archive/spring-2025/social-media-marketing-class-visits-mercy-flight/

  • Sweet Places at Fisher

  • Students with the Wegmans School of Pharmacy’s chapter of the National Community Oncology Dispensing Association raised more than $10,000 for 13thirty Cancer Connect, a Rochester-based organization that helps adolescents and young adults affected by cancer. https://www.sjf.edu/news-and-events/news-archive/spring-2025/pharmacy-students-raise-10k/

  • Two St. John Fisher University senior biology majors, Joey Ontl and Alyssa Karsten, had the opportunity to present their research at the New York Chapter of the Wildlife Society’s annual meeting. https://www.sjf.edu/news-and-events/news-archive/spring-2025/students-present-at-wildlife-society-conference/

  • During NPA Advocacy Day, Dr. Desiree’ M. Branson, former president of The Nurse Practitioner Association, and Dr. Henry Moscicki, NPA President-Elect collaborated with other nurse practitioners across the state to meet with legislators and discuss current legislation affecting nurse practitioners’ practice and patient advocacy; allowing all nurse practitioners licensed in New York to practice at the highest level of education and provide the best quality care to patients. https://www.sjf.edu/news-and-events/news-archive/spring-2025/nursing-professors-advocate-for-nps/

  • (Almost) The End of the Semester!

  • Countdown to Commencement: Dylan Stoller

  • During the fall 2024 semester, the School of Business launched a new course, TPC: Business Kickstarter, created by Dean Dan Connolly and Dr. Chantz B. Miles, who taught the course. The course is designed to serve as the launchpad to a first-year student’s business journey and serve as the gateway to their business studies at Fisher. First-year business students Brennan Conn and Sara Haidari were part of the inaugural cohort. https://www.sjf.edu/news-and-events/news-archive/spring-2025/new-kickstarter-course/

  • Kessan VanGronigen has made an impact on campus, and around the world! In addition to activities such as producing Spirit of Identity Week or working with PRIMA, she has also made a positive difference during trips abroad. Full video: youtu.be/nTuveSf7_eg https://t.co/UPrRDHUF0u

  • Dylan Stoller approached his time in the School of Business as an opportunity - and he has certainly made the most of it! He has taken on leadership roles in the Dean's Student Advisory Council, @sjf_investing, and @sjfama, just to name a few. He shares some of the wisdom he has gained that has helped him become "day-one ready" for life after Fisher in this week's Countdown to Commencement.

    Music credit: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music. License code: BL585K6YEMCY6HD1

  • Since arriving at Fisher, @nataliesbyrd has made a major impact on campus, including founding The Body Talk club, creating the Psych Stats Toolkit website, notable research, and so much more. Full video: youtu.be/JPKmtN6Yudg https://t.co/hm5dMiA6iJ

  • Commencement is right around the corner, and this week, we’re asking all members of our campus community (Students, faculty, and staff) to offer their best wishes to the Class of 2025! Stop by the Donald E. Bain Campus Center Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from noon to 1 p.m. to record a message for the graduating class that will be shared on social media.

  • TFW you still have a week of classes left (Don't worry, Cardinals! You've got this!) #StJohnFisherUniversity #CollegeLife #RochesterNY

  • Happy Easter from St. John Fisher University!

  • As a captain with @sjfrowing, Emma Kane has helped lead the team to world-class events, and has even helped make program history. As an honors student, she has made a positive impact in our community, and that work has inspired her path forward after graduation. She reflects on her victories and shares what's ahead in her career in this week's Countdown to Commencement.

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