Project: Incomplete

When Spencer Bonahoom's Project is complete, what will he be most proud of? How will he want to be remembered?

Spencer works as Senior Academic Counselor in Student-Athlete Development and Leadership at American University. He works directly with student-athletes in forming their leadership skills, pursuing a balance between their sport, academics, and other formational opportunities, and preparing them for what comes next after college. Spencer joins the Project: Incomplete podcast to discuss the meaning behind TGIM (Thank God It's Monday), the college experience of student-athletes, and the greatest strength and weakness of young adults today.

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Heading into 2021, we reflect on the inspiring and distinct responses our guests provided when asked the Project question: "When your Project is complete, how will you want to be remembered?"

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Do you get excited for Monday's or do you pout upon realizing it's back to class or work? Do you add energy to a conversation or suck energy out of the room? Truth is, your response to any given situation can dictate what comes next. While in undergrad at Marquette University, Spencer Bonahoom pursued a unique opportunity to try out for Marquette's D1 men's basketball team as a walk-on. Committing the first two years of college to early mornings of self-instructed drills and bettering himself, Spencer not only aimed to show the coaches his basketball skills, but his discipline and consistency in showing up. Processing a tough tryout and outcome, Spencer realized that he had the choice of what would come next.

Today, Spencer works as Senior Academic Counselor in Student-Athlete Development and Leadership at American University. He works directly with student-athletes in forming their leadership skills, pursuing a balance between their sport, academics, and other formational opportunities, and preparing them for what comes next after college. Spencer joins the Project: Incomplete podcast to discuss the meaning behind TGIM (Thank God It's Monday), the college experience of student-athletes, and the greatest strength and weakness of young adults today.

Be sure to follow, subscribe, and join us in the conversation.

Instagram: @projectincomplete
Facebook: @projectincomplete
Twitter: @projincomplete

Dr. Kris Ropella is Dean of the Opus College of Engineering and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Marquette University. As leader of the college (her alma mater), Dr. Ropella inversely sees herself at the bottom of the organization chart–the trunk of the tree from which the students, faculty, and staff can grow and blossom. When she first came into the role, Kris recognized the need for real culture change; the need to get into the trenches, to establish clear and authentic communication at all levels, and to encourage growth through failure.

Kris discusses with Kevin and J.R. what true leadership is and how it can be both recognized and taught. She also shares her family's story of immigrating to the U.S. after fleeing Hungary during WWII, and how it has influenced her own personal development. Having grown up with immigrant parents who allowed her to begin experiencing the lessons of life through her own mistakes, Kris looks at failure as one of the greatest learning opportunities and encourages her own children and students to take risks and fail.

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Instagram: @projectincomplete
Facebook: @projectincomplete
Twitter: @projincomplete

Dr. Kris Ropella is Dean of the Opus College of Engineering and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Marquette University. As leader of the college (her alma mater), Dr. Ropella inversely sees herself at the bottom of the organization chart––the trunk of the tree from which the students, faculty, and staff can grow and blossom. When she first came into the role, Kris recognized the need for real culture change; the need to get into the trenches, to establish clear and authentic communication at all levels, and to encourage growth through failure.

In part one of our conversation, Kris discusses what true leadership is and how it can be both recognized and taught. She also shares her family's story of immigrating to the U.S. after fleeing Hungary during WWII, and how it has influenced her own personal development. Having grown up with immigrant parents who allowed her to begin experiencing the lessons of life through her own mistakes, Kris looks at failure as one of the greatest learning opportunities and encourages her own children and students to take risks and fail.

Be sure to follow, subscribe, and join us in the conversation.

Instagram: @projectincomplete
Facebook: @projectincomplete
Twitter: @projincomplete

COVID has created some interesting challenges for Connor as a young Branch Manager at ABC Supply, a multibillion dollar roofing supply company based in Beloit, WI. Business is booming and Connor's branch has not shut down at all. Connor touches on the challenges of meeting strong demand amid personnel and supply chain concerns during the coronavirus pandemic.

"You're going to get your sh*t rocked. And if you're soft, you’re going to get eaten alive," — Connor Day. In this section of the podcast, Connor bluntly illustrates what graduating seniors are to expect once they enter the work force.

Connor has tunnel vision when it comes to his work. Put simply, he just wants to get sh*t done. Finding a balance between work and personal growth outside of work is something he is continually developing.

"I respect people that have a hustle." Watching people excel at what they do, whether running a business or playing an instrument, is something that Connor respects, and reminds listeners that watching others win in their respective walks of life can be a source of energy in our own.

Lastly, Connor answers the all important ‘Project' question.

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In part one of this two-part discussion, Kevin and J.R. sit down with Connor Day. Connor and J.R. met at the University of Wisconsin where their close friendship blossomed from shared experiences as business students at the university.

Connor discusses what it was like growing up in Beloit, WI and eventually making his way to the UW where he was involved in the Marching Band, ROTC, Campus and Visitor Relations, and the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. Family has played a huge role in his life, but Connor reminds listeners that you do not have to share blood to be considered family.

Time management and hard work were invaluable to Connor’s experience at UW. These characteristics eventually led him to making the decision to start his career with ABC Supply Company, a multibillion dollar roofing supplier, headquartered in his hometown of Beloit. Responsibility is something that Connor has never shied away from, and he has earned the opportunity to prove his business acumen while building a winning culture very early on in his career as a Branch Manager.

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In part two of Family is Forever, J.R. and Kevin continue their conversation with Alex Esuoso, a 25-year old real estate investor and KPMG consultant, of how family can impact and influence how we shape our future. The guys discuss building solid foundations, the importance of budgeting, and the seemingly lack of spirituality in the year 2020.

Alex is the first in his family to be born in the United States and contributes his ever-progressing work ethic to his parents. Son of Nigerian immigrants, Alex embraced the lessons of working for his dollars and striving for the best as he and his younger sister observed their parents build a living in a brand new country.

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Family serves as one of the first influences in our lives and can often impact how we shape our future. Alex Esuoso, a 25-year old real estate investor and KPMG consultant, is the first in his family to be born in the United States and contributes his ever-progressing work ethic to his parents. Son of Nigerian immigrants, Alex embraced the lessons of working for his dollars and striving for the best as he and his younger sister observed their parents build a living in a brand new country.

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Instagram: @projectincomplete
Facebook: @projectincomplete
Twitter: @projincomplete

In part two of Keep Showing Up, Jenny answers the Project question: What will Jenny be most proud of when her Project is complete? Naturally, Jenny turns the table and asks the same question to J.R. and Kevin...

Jenny Fischer started the initiative Keep Showing Up in September (Suicide Prevention Awareness Month) of 2020 to raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Jenny’s motto and approach to life serves as a reminder for all of us to keep showing up for ourselves, for others, for what we love, and what loves us. In less than two months, the initiative has sold over 1,300 shirts and raised over $14,000 for AFSP.

Jenny joins J.R. and Kevin on Project: Incomplete podcast to discuss her time at Marquette University, her budding broadcasting career with the NCAA and NBA/WNBA, and how suicide has directly impacted her own life. Jenny makes it very clear: suicide is 100% preventable – and some of the key components to combating this tragedy is spreading awareness, sharing our stories and continuing to keep showing up.

Jenny can be found on Instagram and Twitter @jennylynnfisch.

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