1. Why did you choose to attend UC San Diego and what were your first impressions of the campus?

Trozzi: The first time I stepped foot on the campus of UC San Diego was for Admit Day in 1997. I remember sitting in the Price Center Ballroom listening to [former Vice Chancellor – Student Affairs] Dr. Joe Watson welcome everyone and give average GPA and SAT statistics for the class, in which I had been admitted, and being in awe of the talent of my future classmates. Around campus, I was impressed that such a prestigious research university makes art an important part of its environment as well. Walking around that day, I was suddenly struck with the feeling that this was HOME to me. I envisioned myself meeting friends at certain points on campus, or sitting under certain trees to study. I knew, without a doubt, that I had found the right place for me to be, and I have been incredibly lucky to be here ever since!

2. What did you like best about being a student at UC San Diego?

Trozzi: I loved the flexibility to explore and find out what I really liked to do. I took every class that sounded interesting to me, and in the end, each one counted towards my graduation goals! I got involved early on in student government and leadership, and I was one of the founding members of Triton Tide, the spirit group on campus. I worked as a Resident Advisor for two years, I took belly dancing, underwater basketweaving, and I even joined a random karate class my senior year. Because of that class, I now have my black belt in karate and a couple of national titles. My karate club helped me maintain a connection to the university even after I graduated, and I love running into staff and faculty I worked with when I was a student.

3. As a former campus tour guide, what are some of the less-known fun or interesting facts you learned about the university?

Trozzi: Mostly, I liked to dispel the myths that people came up with. The balls in front of Center Hall are not actually part of the Stuart Collection. UC San Diego’s iconic eucalyptus trees weren’t planted by mistake for railroad ties, but were actually part of a prison-farm project to earn revenue for the City of San Diego. And the library is not sinking because of the weight of the books.

I liked to surprise people with the names of some prominent alumni that they may not have realized were UC San Diego grads. While the name James Avery might not be recognizable, everyone knows “Uncle Phil” from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” The same with Rusty Preisendorfer, the creator of the Rusty surf label. And while I wasn’t a big fan of Beavis & Butthead, the movie “Office Space” is one of my favorites, and both were created by alumnus Mike Judge.

4. Tell me about the Spirit House you helped establish at UC San Diego when you were a student and why it’s important to you to spark school spirit in others.

Trozzi: During freshmen orientation, one of the RAs talked about theme-housing, and he was really excited about his floor being the first-ever Spirit House at Warren College. Since I was voted “Most Spirited” in high school, I was excited to be surrounded by other people who got as pumped with school spirit as I did. Of course, Spirit Night is my favorite tradition at UC San Diego! I really respect athletes here. Not only do they have to balance academics with their team schedules, they also travel around the country, working hard to represent the university and winning titles! Since they’re not given major scholarships, the major talent we attract says a lot about our university, and every single person affiliated with UC San Diego should be immensely proud to be a Triton.

5. How did you end up as a communications major, working at your alma mater?

Trozzi: I came to UC San Diego intending to be a mechanical engineer and industrial designer. While the work was fun, I quickly realized that it just wasn’t the industry I belonged in. I started experimenting across different majors, and found that I had a knack for the classes offered by the Communication Department. It was a great fit for me, as we were taught to understand different sides of an issue, utilize reason, and analyze social and cultural forces. The communication major is incredibly flexible in the job market, and indicates to employers that I retain skills such as articulation, persuasive writing, and an understanding of culture, politics, and technology. These skills help me to align my daily work within the UCSD Alumni Association and the university as a whole, and allow me to relate to all of the different groups I work with, from students to administration.

6. After graduating, you moved to Japan for a year to teach English. What did you learn from that experience?

Trozzi: Japanese culture values collective thinking and by-the-book rules, so it was a bit of an adjustment to change my independent way of looking at things. Working for public schools, it was sometimes a challenge to get the other teachers to think outside of the book, so I learned to get creative in teaching the students, usually by sneaking in to their P.E. classes or other activities to get them to speak English more freely. It was easier for me to teach them when they weren't worried about giving the same answer that appeared in their textbooks.

I also realized how incredibly homogenous Japan is outside of the major cities. My Japanese hometown was considered "inaka" or countryside by many people. I stuck out as the first foreigner that they had ever met, and so I had to get used to living in a fishbowl. Students sometimes followed me home, strangers would go through my grocery basket, and little kids would stop and point. One family threw a party and invited all of their friends to come meet the "gaijin" (foreigner). From that experience, I learned to embrace my unique place in their society, and I even traveled back to Japan recently to attend the wedding of the daughter of that family!

7. What are your main responsibilities as Student-Alumni Programs Manager in the UC San Diego Alumni Association?

Trozzi: In addition to putting together some UCSD Alumni Association marquee events, such as Life 101 (life-after-college events) and Triton Tables (dinner with alumni hosts) to engage students and alumni, I partner with on-campus groups like Associated Students to support events like the quarterly Pancake Breakfast. In everything I do, my main focus is to ask the question, “How does this connect students and alumni to the university?” And the answer can be surprising sometimes!

My favorite part of my job is working with students. Each day, I get to learn something new and see a different perspective, and I love being both an advisor and a colleague to them. Their enthusiasm and drive is so inspiring, and I often joke with my coworkers that I want to be this student or that student “when I grow up.”

8. Why is it important to keep alumni engaged with the campus and current students?

Trozzi: It’s amazing what alumni have to offer the university, and I love being on the frontline of helping both the alumni community and the campus realize that. My goal is to have each student at UC San Diego graduate feeling so great about the campus that it’s a natural reaction for them to stay connected to the university and maintain that relationship as engaged alumni. It’s such a mutually beneficial relationship – students can learn from those who’ve graduated, UC San Diego can point proudly to the outstanding accomplishments of their alumni, and alumni can inspire current students by sharing their story of surviving college and moving on to greatness.

9. What advice do you have for incoming students? How about graduating seniors?

Trozzi: Incoming students should get involved in something, anything. The benefits are innumerable. It’s how you build your network and your history at UC San Diego, keep your sanity, learn time management, and make lifelong friends.

Graduating students should not be afraid to change their minds again and again. No one says you have to do a certain job or live a certain way. And if they need any guidance, there are 116,000 alumni out there to lend a helping hand. Remember, do what makes you happy!

10. What is your favorite memory at UC San Diego?

Trozzi: It's so hard to choose just one, but a favorite that stands out in my mind is UnOlympics my freshman year. Our theme was WARren, so we dressed in camouflage and hid in the forest across from RIMAC field. Our dean went out on the field alone to claim “The Golden Shoe,” and when the announcer said, "Oh yeah? You and what army?” we came tearing out of the forest, over the fence and across the field on our stomachs. Our drill sergeant RAs went around yelling "hooRAH!" and I made up the team cheer we used. It sounded like a marching chant, and I can still remember it ending "We're full of spirit, root root root! We'll win The Shoe and give 'em the boot!" It was exhilarating being on the field that day, surrounded by my new friends with our faces painted and cheering our heads off!