For the Lanza brothers, Brooklyn College is more than just their alma mater. Andrew ’07, Joseph ’09, and Michael ’09, ’20 M.S., started as students when they were teenagers. For more than a decade, they’ve been part of the campus community as staff members. Born and raised in Marine Park, Brooklyn, the brothers were first-generation students. Their father immigrated from Sicily and, given their roots, they were drawn to the campus culture that welcomes all students. “I saw the diversity of the student body, people from literally all over the world. I thought that was amazing,” says Michael, who earned a B.S. in business management and finance (now the business administration B.B.A.) and an M.S. in business administration. “This melting pot of cultures and ideas is what makes the work meaningful and fulfilling.” From Boylan Hall to the West End Building to the West Quad Center, each brother fills a crucial role at the college. Andrew, who received a B.A. in history, is the administrative events manager in the Office of Auxiliary Services. From organizing conferences to coordinating movie shoots and student and staff events, Andrew’s day-to-day is always different. “My job really forced me to become more of a people person,” he says. Joseph, who earned a B.S. in psychology, started as a tutor in the Learning Center as an undergraduate. Today, he supports students one-on-one as manager of the Student Financial Services Call Center. “I work on the frontlines with students from their first day on campus to graduation. I get to hear their stories,” he says. “I love helping students with any issues they’re experiencing.” Michael, the math whiz, is the Director of the Office of Budget and Finance. “Even though I’m in front of a computer screen all day, I enjoy helping staff and faculty with managing their budgets. It’s a lot of problem-solving because our office is the go-to for general questions,” he says. Though they work in separate offices, they do occasionally find themselves in the same meetings. Regardless if they run into each other on campus, they catch up with regular lunches at the Junction. People often confuse them—particularly Michael and Joseph, who are twins. “It’s funny,” says Joseph. “There was one time when I was working in the registrar and Michael was working in the bursar. A student went from my office to his and they thought that I had run to a different office.” Off-campus, the brothers prioritize family. The Lanzas are tight-knit. Some of their other family members are alumni and former staff members themselves who encouraged them to apply for roles at the college after graduation. The three live within walking distance of one another and commute together to weekly Sunday pasta dinners with family in New Jersey. They also go to heavy metal concerts as a tribute to their father, who passed away when they were young. “Our dad always played heavy metal music in the car, so it stuck with us,” says Andrew, a guitarist, bassist, and singer. Although Joseph and Michael also love music, they’re known for being the sports fanatics of the family. “From September to January, Joseph and I are going on about football. Andrew’s more musically inclined, so he leaves the room when we’re talking about it,” Michael jokes. After 10 years, the brothers consider the Brooklyn College community family. “Brooklyn College feels like our second home,” says Michael.
