When reflecting on his academic career two weeks before graduating from UNC, Business
major Dante Cesare experienced two vastly different realities in high school and in
college. In high school, personal hardships made it difficult for him to see the importance
of education. 

“I was the worst kind of student,” Cesare said. “I really didn’t care about school,
I just wanted to get out of there. I was facing addiction issues.” 

Cesare said, during this time, he never felt a sense of belonging. 

“I am on the autism spectrum and have struggled with mental illness all of my life,
so people never counted on me for anything, they always counted me out, so to speak,”
Cesare said.  

He had and still does have, support from his family, even crediting his aunt, uncle
and grandparents for raising him alongside his mom.  

“The phrase ‘it takes a village’ may be cliché, but in my case, it is the truth, and
I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Cesare said. “My upbringing helped make me the
man I am today.” 

Cesare said his grandfather, who worked in construction his whole life, taught him
that knowledge is power and that no one can take it away from him. But it was the
encouragement of multiple professors that really turned Cesare’s education experience
around. Cesare first attended Aims Community College receiving his associate degree
in Business before attending UNC for his bachelor’s degree.  

“I had a couple teachers at Aims named Mark Jarnot and Jennifer Markiewicz. They were
probably two of the most important mentors or teachers I’ve ever had besides Dallas
Everhart here at UNC,” Cesare said. “Basically, they all believed in me and were able
to help me fall in love with education again.” 

With a newfound passion for learning the next step was for Cesare to find a community
or an opportunity to be part of a team amongst his peers. He knew he didn’t want to
feel isolated like he did in high school, so he had to find a way to get involved
at UNC, which he did through Monfort College of Business’ Entrepreneurial Challenge.  

“I was in a Marketing 360 class my junior year, and two students started talking to
us about the E-Challenge and why we should get involved,” Cesare said. “I found it
interesting because I have always wanted to open a business or be a good businessman.
But mainly, I just really wanted to be part of something.” 

The E-Challenge, held every year in the spring, is an educational business pitch competition
that helps participants acquire entrepreneurial skills and grow their innovative ideas.
Students from UNC and Aims, as well as community members can compete and pitch their
business ideas to industry judges for the chance to win monetary prizes.  

Cesare quickly signed up to be part of the E-Challenge marketing team after hearing
about it. The first year he was involved he wrote press releases and social media
content to promote the event. This year he was bumped up to community college director,
collaborating with Aims to encourage more participation.  

“Since I originally came from Aims, I was able to foster a really good relationship
with the staff there and resolve any conflicts and build a really amicable relationship,
so I’m really proud of that,” Cesare said. 

Cesare also took on the responsibility of being an MCB ambassador. He says knowing
MCB’s reputation made him want to continue in higher education. 

“I thought the student-to-teacher ratio would fit me really well,” Cesare said. “I
really like to be able to have a relationship with my professors and throughout my
time [at UNC] I’ve felt I have a good rapport with my professors and can actually
joke with them.” 

Feeling supported by faculty along with hands-on experience in coming up with marketing
plans for local businesses throughout his courses, Cesare developed a passion for
the industry and hopes to start a career in marketing after graduation.  

“I want to move to Las Vegas and do relationship marketing for a casino,” Cesare said.
“I want to be able to foster different relationships when it comes to the stakeholders
and the customers and make sure we’re providing something unique for them to return
to the business for.” 

The desire to build professional relationships came from Cesare’s understanding of
how fulfilling it is to have them, which he learned from his experiences in both high
school and college. He has found that when he is connecting with others and persistently
striving towards his goals, is when he is happiest. 

“I would strongly advise future or current students to get involved,” Cesare said.
“Find something you’re passionate about and really make it your own. Because life
is really difficult, try to make a positive out of anything negative. It’s not about
what cards you are dealt, it’s about what you do with the cards.” 

Cesare is the recipient of the Monfort College of Business Award and a Wells Fargo
Bank Scholarship.

– written by Sydney Kern

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