March 31, 2026 — Mentorship at Marist University can be found in every corner of campus, helping guide and empower students to grow both personally and professionally.

For Gavin Gilooly '26, mentorship has brought his experience as the president of the Student Programming Council (SPC) to life.

Through his leadership in SPC and his work alongside club advisor Parker Alber, Assistant Director of Student Activities, Gavin has gained hands-on professional experience while learning how to lead one of the university’s most visible student organizations.

Their connection reflects a broader culture at Marist, where mentorship plays a central role in shaping student leaders and the experiences they create.

Explore more ways mentorship is taking shape across Marist:

• Mentorship Program Guides Students from Classroom to Career
• Holistic Academic and Adjustment Support Uplifts Marist Students
• Tarver Summer Internship Program Strengthens Local Nonprofits and Transforms Student Futures

Discovering A Passion For Event Planning
 
Students gather for SPC’s Campfire Night event to roast s’mores. Photo by Benson Delaney '27/Marist University.

When students attend a Marist concert, comedy show, or campus block party, they see and experience the finished event: the lights, the stage, the crowd gathered together. But it’s SPC that makes those experiences happen.

Gavin first joined SPC in his first year at Marist as the club’s performance chair. In that role, he helped coordinate musicians, comedians, and other entertainers who visit the campus.

“I’ve always been interested in event planning and creating experiences for people,” said Gavin. “I wanted something to do outside of classes and work that was fun and would help me build community, make new friends, and get some real experience.”

His work has been shaped in large part by his mentorship with Parker. Through that guidance, Gavin has gained exposure to the professional side of event planning, taking on responsibilities many students do not encounter until after graduation.

“I think student leadership sets people up for lifelong success by building real-world skills. Gavin has grown tremendously in his confidence—especially in public speaking,” said Parker. “Early on, he was hesitant to speak in front of crowds, but over the past year, he’s taken the stage at major events and addressed over 1,000 people.”

As Gavin became more involved with SPC, he stepped into the role of president, now overseeing budgeting, logistics, and event planning for some of the organization’s largest programs.

“This role has helped me become much more confident in my ability to speak up,” he said.

Guiding Student Leaders
 
Parker, Gavin, and the SPC executive board welcome comedian Michael Longfellow to campus for Welcome Week. Photo courtesy of Gavin Gilooly '26.

While SPC is primarily run by students, Parker serves as the club’s advisor and works closely with the board as they plan events throughout the year. His approach to advising focuses on giving students the space to lead while providing guidance when needed.

“I believe that as an advisor, my role is to let them learn by working through problems and mistakes instead of fixing them for them,” Parker said. “I will guide the board toward solutions, but do my best not to hand them answers.”

Parker believes that mentorship often begins with simply showing students that support is available and making sure students know they have someone to rely on.

Through clubs like SPC, Parker says students develop skills that extend far beyond planning events.

“SPC students are some of the hardest workers I’ve met, building time management, communication, and teamwork skills while planning events that bring the campus community together, all while balancing classes, social lives, and often other jobs.”

Learning Through Mentorship

For Gavin, working with Parker has been one of the most meaningful parts of his experience with SPC.

“I have so much to learn from Parker, because he has so much experience with events and planning,” said Gavin. “Having that knowledge and that experience and being able to learn from him is so important.”

Beyond resume-building skills, Parker believes students benefit from hands-on exposure to professional processes with guidance along the way.

“This approach gives students space to ask questions in real time and build confidence,” he said. “Many of these experiences can feel intimidating at first, but early exposure helps ease that pressure.”

Bringing the Spring Concert to Life

Spring Concert 2025 - Photo by Benson Delaney ‘27/Marist University.

One of SPC’s most visible efforts is the annual spring concert, the club’s largest event of the year.

Planning begins months in advance, with students coordinating artists, vendors, contracts, and logistics. This year’s concert will take place on April 14th, with Natasha Bedingfield as headliner, marking another major milestone for the student team behind the event.

“Parker gives so many opportunities to take on professional tasks, like working with agents and our booking agency,” Gavin said. “That’s what event planning really is—vendors, contracts, logistics, and timing—and I’ve learned so much about how it all works in the real world.”

For Gavin, who hopes to work in event planning after graduation, those experiences have been especially valuable.

“I specifically want to work in the music industry, whether that be concerts or touring,” he said. “The experiences I’ve gained from working on events like the spring concert will be essential for my resume and for my professional experience.”