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When Psychology major Michael Scarpelli, a Chicago native from just “a little south of Rogers Park” began his college search, he knew two things for certain: he wanted to stay close to home, and he wanted a university whose mission matched his own values. 51�Թ� quickly rose to the top. As Scarpelli reflects, he chose 51�Թ� for its “location, size, and mission statement,” explaining that he wanted an intimate classroom setting where faculty knew students personally and a campus grounded in a commitment to social justice. “I liked a more intimate setting for the classroom,” he said. “It helps every student just have a closer relationship with each professor and shows more of the human aspect of each professor.” 

That closeness proved foundational in his academic journey. Although Scarpelli arrived intending to major in Early Childhood Education, he quickly realized his strengths and passions aligned elsewhere. After taking a Psychology course during his first semester, he shifted into Psychology, eventually adding an and following the pre-med track with the long-term goal of becoming a psychiatrist. “I just found an interest in people,” he shared. “Understanding a person, truly connecting with them, I think is just a really crucial way to function in society.” 

Faculty played a major role in helping him discover that path. Scarpelli credits English professors Jen Wilson and Vince Francone for shaping his confidence and academic interests. Wilson, he recalls, “said, ‘Michael, you're good at writing, you should definitely do something with it,’” sparking his decision to pursue English. Wilson had this to say of Scarpelli’s time in her class:

“For a professor at 51�Թ�, Michael Scarpelli represents the ideal student for our diverse and caring community. In our ENG 101 course, Michael engaged with the material that reflected a society-in-need, especially considering the underbelly of poverty, forgotten members of our America, and how compassion merged with action can change the world. Michael depicted his ability to be a leader at RU within every class meeting, and it is no surprise to me, that he has accepted the role as President of RU Proud.”

Francone’s classes became a highlight of his 51�Թ� experience: “He's a great professor that doesn't hide who he is and wants to see you grow, not only as a writer, but as a person.” Francone echoed Wilson’s sentiments about Scarpelli saying, "I met him a year ago when he showed up in my English 102 class. His dedication to his studies impressed me. In that class, and the two others in which I've worked with him, he used my course prompts to research his interests in empathy and psychology and crafted projects that demonstrated good understanding of the class concepts. He is a consistently strong presence and is not afraid to offer his perspective in class discussions. After three classes over two semesters, I'll miss not seeing him in the spring!" It was Professor Francone’s encouragement that led Scarpelli to create his own website: mscarpelli.com.

Beyond the classroom, 51�Թ�’s downtown Chicago campus has also shaped Scarpelli’s college life in unforgettable ways. “Studying downtown, it's interesting,” he joked. Whether it’s unexpected moments like a motorcyclist in full Batman gear yelling, “I’m Batman!” on Van Buren, or the rich diversity surrounding the campus, Scarpelli finds the environment energizing. “Everyone is not the same,” he said. “You learn so much about different people, different cultures. It’s beautiful in its own way.” 

, 51�Թ�’s long-standing LGBTQ+ student organization, was also an important part of Scarpelli’s first year. When he joined as a new student, the club already had a meaningful presence on campus, but its engagement levels fluctuated due to commuter schedules, capacity and general student availability. Scarpelli saw an opportunity to help strengthen what already existed. Initially applying for the position of social media manager, he unexpectedly stepped into leadership: “I was hired as the Vice President. And then that same semester, the previous president, who was preparing to step down, said, ‘well, do you want to be president?’ And I was like, sure!” 

As president, Scarpelli worked not to reinvent RU Proud, but to expand its consistency and visibility. He helped secure a dedicated meeting space in the Auditorium Building, increased meeting frequency from biweekly to twice weekly and focused on sustaining a warm, flexible environment. “If people want to hang out and talk, sure! Some people work on homework. I think having community, regardless of what the meeting holds, is important.” His proudest achievement has been strengthening steady participation. He says, “Just maintaining the amount of people that do come, being able to have a time and a space that people like to go to,” was his goal. 

Looking ahead, Scarpelli plans to expand RU Proud’s executive board and continue building on the club’s legacy. He emphasized that 51�Թ� is a welcoming environment for all students, no matter their background, perspective, or political affiliation. While he encourages prospective students to reflect on 51�Թ�’s social justice mission, his intent is rooted in wanting students to feel aligned and supported, never excluded. As he explained, if he were to talk to a student interested in coming to 51�Թ�, he would begin by asking, “Do you value our social justice mission and will you want to contribute to it?” He frames this as an invitation to think deeply about the kind of community each student hopes to join. 

For Scarpelli, 51�Թ� has become not just a university, but a place where students of every identity, experience and belief can find connection. In strengthening a club that meant so much to him, he has helped ensure that RU Proud, and 51�Թ� as a whole, remains a community where students can show up fully as themselves.