Meet Nick Pellitta, a Sophomore from Flemington, NJ! He is majoring in Political Science and Economics and minoring in Spanish and International and Global Studies. Nick interned at Senator Cory Booker’s office this summer, is the President of the Honors College Student Advisory Board, and has his own laptop sticker! Nick traveled to Spain with us this past May on a SAS Honors Program trip. We caught up with our friend at Brower.
What are you involved in on campus?
Besides being the president of Honors College Student Advisory Board, I’m a member of the RUSA Allocations Board, a director for Rutgers Model UN, one of the cofounders of a tutoring program for New Brunswick elementary schools, and a research assistant. I conduct research on discrimination in the workplace on disabled people. It’s a cool opportunity to fight for equality and ensure laws are doing what they are supposed to do.
How did you get into those activities?
I wanted to be on the Honors College Student Advisory Board since I’m one of the members of the first ever Honors College class. I wanted the opportunity to shape some part of the university from its very beginning and leave behind a tangible impact after I graduate. With the Allocations Board, it’s a similar idea. I think it’s cool to work with and promote all 500 organizations on campus, since I could have that same impact on the entirety of Rutgers instead of just the Honors College.
I did Model UN in high school and enjoyed it. I’m part of a program now that puts on programs for high schools. I like giving back since I learned a lot, like developing confidence and public speaking skills, from participating in the conferences when I was in high school.
As for tutoring, I was looking for a way to do community service. From research, I learned that New Brunswick public schools aren’t great. Other Honors College students and I founded A2E. We try to ensure that kids that grow up in New Brunswick won’t be at a disadvantage later in life.
What was your favorite part of your internship at Senator Cory Booker’s office?
The day he complimented my hair. *laughs*
No, it was definitely the staff in the office and learning about what goes on behind the scene.
Even with media coverage, and, even though I’ve taken classes, we only really learn about candidates in the public sphere. It’s interesting to see what goes on to make that happen. Also, the people who call a congressperson’s office and need assistance are people who actually really need assistance. Knowing I played a small part in contributing to the NJ community was rewarding.
What is your favorite thing to do at Rutgers?
Interacting with people! I’m an extrovert. Going out to lunch with people, hanging with Honors College freshmen, or seeing friends at meetings… I thrive off of human interaction; it gives me energy to get through everything else.
What are you looking forward to this year?
One of the things about my experience last year was that I stuck to the Honors College and some other organizations and didn’t branch out. I’m trying to connect to as many people in the university as I can. I think one of the best things about college is that you are surrounded by thousands of kids your age with a lot of similar goals. It’s important to me to develop relationships now because once you graduate and enter the workplace, you don’t really get another opportunity to connect with your peers.
If someone made a movie about your life, who would you want to be cast as you?
Some people have said I look like Andrew Garfield, so him.
How do you have a sticker of yourself on your laptop?
A friend from high school drew all of us (my high school friend group), so we could buy stickers and t-shirts of us. I got all of us as a t-shirt and just myself for the laptop.
(You can order your own Nick Pellitta sticker here.)
What’s your favorite song right now?
Propuesta Indecente by Romeo Santos – I’m on a Spanish music kick right now. I’m also big Kanye fan; he’s my go-to.
What do you use in your hair?
Layrite cement.
I think it’s important that you find something that works for your hairstyle. Personally, I’m trying to go for a softer look *fixes hair*.
Where are you at 4pm on Tuesdays? What does a typical day in the life of Nick Pellitta look like?
On 4pm on Tuesdays, I’ve just arrived at Intro to Hispanic Literature.
As for a typical day in the life, I’m usually in class during the afternoons and sleeping in the morning. I struggle to make it to breakfast. I have meetings every night except for Wednesdays (@ladies hmu). I’m a night owl, so I’m in a study lounge somewhere until 3am.