Pressure Makes Diamonds

Chance Michael Mendoza Ringor, ’24 Marketing and Business Analytics, is this year’s recipient of the President’s Award. The award recognizes the top academic performer among four-year undergraduate students campus- wide. The Hawaii native says he is leaving Seattle University “with greater acknowledgement of my capabilities to learn, lead, and communicate.”

How did you find yourself in Seattle U in the first place?

I decided on Seattle U for three main reasons. First, my parents and I agreed that it would be best to place myself in an entirely new environment. Secondly, I chose Seattle U because I knew that they would provide many opportunities. Given the smaller size classes and student body, I knew that I would be more comfortable talking to faculty and peers—something that has definitely paid off. Finally, I chose Seattle U because of the location—it’s become the reason why I’m in love with walkable cities, and it’s allowed me to thrive as an out-of-state student.

You double majored in Marketing and Business Analytics. Can you elaborate on this decision and what you gained from it?

I had started with a marketing major because I had a passion for media since high school, and I knew that it was something that I enjoyed learning about after taking the introduction to Marketing with Professor Jennifer Hong. While I could have focused solely on Marketing, I wanted to leverage myself and be more well-rounded in multiple aspects of business.

After discussing with some of my friends and faculty in Albers, I decided that adding Business Analytics to Marketing would allow me to showcase both creative and analytical thinking.

Overall, I would say that this has allowed me to be more versatile when working through complex tasks. I’ve learned that being able to pivot when one solution doesn’t work is crucial to success in business and in life, and having this double major helped in preparing me for that.

What are your dreams for the future now that you’re done with college?

While my professional dreams are always changing, I’ve been considering pursuing a career in UX Design. Aside from professional goals, I know that I want to end up somewhere that’s warm year-round and I want to continue dancing as much as I can! I plan to move back to Hawaii for some time after college, so I hope to indulge in both things while I’m there.

Since this issue of the Brief is about mentoring, please share any lesson a mentor has taught you that has stuck around.

Aside from school and work, I also dance for the Garden Dance Company every week. One of my dance friends was driving me home, and we were having a conversation about how our rehearsals can be stressful at times (in a good way), and my friend said, “Pressure makes diamonds.”

Since then, I’ve thought about the saying a lot and how it applies to my life. Throughout my time at SU, I would say that I was constantly under pressure because I always wanted to do the most—in school and in life. Looking back, I think all of the effort paid off and allowed me to be a better human being in all aspects.

With that, I would also say that what you get out of any opportunity comes from what you put in. Even though some things might be scary or uncomfortable, feel those feelings and absorb what you can out of the experience. Going through those motions now is great preparation for the future.

Photo credit: Tahina Tomaszek