November 4, 2025 — From early mornings on Route 9 to late-night study sessions in the Commuter Lounge, Marist’s commuter students make the most of every minute on campus. During Marist’s Commuter Appreciation Week in late October, they were celebrated for the energy, leadership, and perspective they bring to the Red Fox community.

Roughly 140 new commuters study at Marist this year, including more than 80 first-year and 60 transfer students. They lead clubs, perform in ensembles, and mentor peers while balancing life off campus. With a growing Commuter Student Council (CSC) and support from the Office of First Year Experience, these students are proving that belonging is about presence and participation, not where you live.

Commuter Appreciation Week: Small Moments, Big Connections

 
Colin McCann, Associate Director of First Year Experience and Leadership Development, making root beer floats with commuters for Commuter Appreciation Week. Photo courtesy of Marina Bellizzi ’26.

This year’s lineup mixed social and skill-building events, including a pit-stop breakfast, basic car-maintenance workshop, Fern Tour Walk, “Car Jeopardy,” root-beer floats, and a board-game bonanza. The week highlighted the resourcefulness and pride commuters bring to campus life.

A Voice and a Community

   
Colin McCann with commuter students on the Walkway Over the Hudson. Photo courtesy of Colin McCann.

Colin McCann, Associate Director of First Year Experience and Leadership Development, has spent years helping students find their place at Marist. He serves as a mentor and guide for the University’s commuter population, encouraging them to get involved, and build meaningful connections across campus.

“I tell our commuter students that they have to take small risks, learn to advocate for themselves, and use their voice,” said McCann. “That’s how confidence and community begin to grow.”

McCann describes commuters as a vital part of the University’s culture.

“Our commuter students are the 'driving force' at Marist,” he said with a chuckle. “They know the region, they help build town and community relations, they keep the University running even during breaks, and they’re just great students and people.”

A Full Marist Experience

  
Tyler Allen ’27 (center with sunglasses and a saxophone) and Marist bandmates. Photo by Carlo de Jesus/Marist University

Commuter student Tyler Allen ’27 of Montgomery, New York, is a cybersecurity major with minors in music and IT. He balances his coursework with a full slate of campus involvement.

“Marist has supported me by allowing me to be more than just a student who has classes and then goes immediately home,” Tyler said. “Whether it’s band events, studying, hanging out with friends, joining clubs like MCTV, or going to football games on weekends, I always feel like the campus is home, even though I don’t live here.”

Tyler works in Marist’s Communications and Marketing office, plays saxophone in several campus bands, and creates his own music in his free time.

“From day one, when I stepped foot on campus, I was welcomed with open arms,” he said. “The music department is why this place feels like home. Everyone is supportive, we put on great shows, and I’ve made some of my best friends here who feel like family.”

Finding Home on Campus

 
Commuter Lounge in action. Photo courtesy of Colin McCann.

For many, the Commuter Lounge on the lower level of the Student Center serves as a hub for study, rest, and friendship, according to commuter student Marina Bellizzi ’26.

Marina is a Communications major with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Interactive Media from Wappingers Falls, New York. She’s an orientation leader, peer mentor, and social media chair for the Commuter Student Council, as well as a dancer and choreographer for the Dance Ensemble. Outside campus, she teaches dance in Hopewell Junction.

“Being a commuter can feel intimidating at first, but you soon realize that no matter where you live or how you get to class, you are a Red Fox, and you are valued.”

She credits Colin McCann for helping foster that sense of belonging.

“He constantly checks in on commuters, encourages engagement, and makes sure we feel welcome,” she said. “Through CSC events like town halls, I’ve been able to connect with others and realize we’re never alone. Colin gave me the chance to thrive instead of just survive.”

The Power of Connection 

Commuters hanging out in the Commuter Lounge. Photo courtesy of Marina Bellizzi ’26.

Gabriella Cortes ’28 of Newburgh, New York, is a Communication and Psychology major who serves as president of the Commuter Student Council (CSC). She also works as a peer mentor and a 3D specialist in the MakerLab at the Steel Plant. She’s involved in Arise, Delta Alpha Pi, the Emerging Leaders Program, and volunteers at her local church.

“Colin directed me to CSC and orientation, and those two recommendations truly changed my experience,” she said. “The commuter lounge has become my home away from home.”

Her advice to other students: “Do not be scared to be friendly to others. Being nice encourages community. Just because you are a commuter doesn’t mean you can’t make an impact. We are all Red Foxes.”

Feeling Like Every Other Red Fox

Krissy Clapp ’26, a history major, commutes from downtown Poughkeepsie and is deeply involved on campus as a peer mentor, Marist Singer, Chamber Choir member, intramural volleyball captain, and intern at the Hudson River Valley Institute.

“As both a commuter and a transfer, I have felt very welcomed by the Marist community,” Krissy said. “Between appreciation events and support from understanding professors when it comes to traffic or car trouble, I barely even remember that I am a commuter. I just feel like every other Marist student.”

Her advice for new commuters: “Get involved in commuter events and extracurriculars. Spend as much time on campus as you can so you start to feel like you have a place at the University. Leave extra time for parking.”

Art, Community, and the Commute

 
Emma Kiesbye '26 presenting her sculpture at a Marist art show. Photo courtesy of Emma Kiesbye. 

Emma Kiesbye '26, a Digital Media major with a concentration in Animation from Wappingers Falls, finds balance in her creative work and daily drive to campus.

“I actually really like my commute because I listen to music on the drive and it de-stresses me before classes,” she said.

On campus, Emma is active in The National Society for Leadership and Success, as a graphic design student worker, and often takes a moment between classes to enjoy the Hudson River view. “It’s one of my favorite spots to take a breath and appreciate everything around me,” she said.

She credits Marist’s professors and mentors with helping her grow as an artist. “They’ve pushed me to take creative risks and explore new territory,” she said. Her work has been featured in the Steel Plant Gallery, a highlight of her time at Marist.

Her advice for other commuters: “It might feel hard at first, but that feeling goes away. Once you start joining clubs, attending events, and opening up, you’ll realize how much you belong here.”

Building Belonging, One Step at a Time

 
Commuter students at end-of-year commuter barbecue. Photo courtesy of Colin McCann.

McCann believes belonging grows from small, daily acts of connection.

“You have to be present,” he said. “Take your earbuds out, put your phone down, be here with us. If you want to feel part of the community, you can’t just come to class and then leave.”

He says simple traditions like the Mount Beacon hike and the annual Potluck Thanksgiving Dinner capture the spirit of the commuter experience.

“Commuters know the area and can share what they love about this community,” McCann said.

What stands out most to him, though, is seeing those connections form in real time.

“It’s when a student walks in shy on the first day and, a few months later, they’re the one welcoming others in. That’s what it’s all about—finding your place, and then helping someone else find theirs.”

Resources for Commuters
• Commuter Student Council (CSC): Organizes events, town halls, and intramurals
• Peer Mentors: Upper-class commuters offering one-on-one support
• First Year Experience Office: Provides orientation, check-ins, and guidance
• On-Campus Jobs: Departments frequently hire commuters for roles during breaks

Questions about resources or involvement can be sent to Colin.McCann@marist.edu.