Milton O’Brien ’25, an international business and marketing double major, is president of the University Student Senate. Originally from El Salvador, O’Brien first developed a passion for service, leadership and culture there. O’Brien said he chose to attend St. Joe’s in part because of an experience he had with St. Joe’s student volunteers who came to his town in El Salvador as part of a service immersion program run by the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. After graduation, O’Brien plans to use his training in international business to travel, expand his knowledge of various cultures and pursue opportunities in philanthropy, especially in El Salvador and elsewhere in Latin America.
What is something about you that might surprise other people?
I don’t play sports.
What is your favorite place on campus?
Senate has an office, and it’s like a little lounge. I spend a lot of my time there.
If you could be a building on campus, what building would you be?
Villiger. Honestly, people may hate me because I was a resident of McShain, but I was an RA in Villiger for two years, so I got to know Villiger a little bit better.
Do you have a favorite celebrity, either on campus or otherwise?
Rodney [Gould]. I’ve known Rodney for my four years at St. Joe’s. I shared meals with Rodney. He’s a really good support, too.
What do you most value in your friends?
Honesty and respect. A relationship can’t grow if you’re not honest.
What is your most treasured possession?
More philosophically, I think your heart and your mind are most precious possessions.
What do you think is your best trait?
I listen.
Who is your hero? Or your heroes?
My parents. I think it’s a common answer, but I feel like every time I have a little achievement, or something happens to me that’s really good, my parents have always had a lot of input.
What is your definition of happiness?
Being okay with who you are and being able to enjoy the moment.
What is your biggest worry right now?
Keeping up with everything that I put myself out to do.
What’s a word you hope people on campus would use to describe you?
Friendly.
What’s on your bucket list to do in Philly, or on campus, before you graduate?
Since freshman year, I’ve been wanting to do APEX.
Where would you most like to live after you graduate?
I don’t want to settle down anywhere. I would like to work in different countries, see and explore.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I’m open to whatever comes to me, but there’s certain categories I want to hit in my career … being able to help others, using the money that I’m making to help people in El Salvador and Latin America.
