Daniel S. Croce

Binghamton University School of Management

“Someone who solves problems you never knew existed in ways that will blow your mind.”

Fun fact about yourself: I am working towards getting my private pilot’s license

Hometown: Rye Brook, NY

High School: Blind Brook High School

Major: B.S. Business Administration with Concentrations in Leadership & Consulting and Management Information Systems

Minor: Pre-Law

Favorite Business Course: Team Leadership

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Chief Financial Officer: Student Association of Binghamton University, Inc. (June 2022 – Present)

Chief Financial Officer: Off Campus College Transport, Inc. (June 2022 – Present)

Chairman of the Board of Directors: Off Campus College Transport, Inc. (June 2022 – Present)

Board Member: Binghamton University Transportation and Parking Stakeholders Group (June 2022 – Present)

Board Member: Binghamton University Intercollegiate Athletics Board (August 2022 – Present)

Board Member: Binghamton University Personal Safety Advisory Board (August 2022 – Present)

Board Member: Binghamton University Budget Review Committee (June 2022 – Present)

Board Member: SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Classified Service

Board Member: SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Professional Service

Vice President for Finance: PwC Scholars Program (May 2021 – May 2023)

Director of Working Environments: Student Assembly of the State University of New York (July 2022 – May 2023)

Vice President for Development: Product Management Development Program (April 2022 – May 2023)

Founder & Director: Binghamton Business Assistance Group (September 2020 – September 2022)

Business Consultant: 180 Degrees Consulting at Binghamton University (August 2021 – May 2022)

Board Member: Financial Committee of the Student Association of Binghamton University, Inc. (August 2020 – June 2021)

Where have you interned during your college career?

Chief Strategy & Operating Officer; CS Realty Group (December 2020 – Present), Greenwich, CT

Campus Ambassador, Management & Strategy Consulting: RSM US LLP (August 2023 – Present), New York, NY

Management & Strategy Consulting Intern: RSM US LLP (June 2023 – August 2023), New York, NY

Contract Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer: Student Association of Binghamton University, Inc. (August 2021 – June 2022), Binghamton, NY

Real Estate Advisory Analyst: MRM Realty Corporation (May 2021 – September 2021), Greenwich, CT

Strategy Consultant: One Consulting Group (September 2020 – June 2021), London, England

Where will you be working after graduation? Management & Strategy Consulting Associate; RSM US LLP; New York, NY

Who is your favorite business professor? My favorite business professor during my time at Binghamton University is Jinglu Jiang. Professor Jiang was an instrumental facet in allowing me to apply my formal business education into tangible strategy through her E-Business course (MIS 460). Specifically, this course challenged students to examine InstaCart and complete an extensive UX analysis of the existing website. By identifying shortfalls in the interface, Professor Jiang empowered us to transfer the theories learned in her course to a real work application.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I learned during my tenure studying business is the power of leading with people rather than simply leading people. The leadership theory developed and taught at Binghamton University’s School of Management is the notion of empowering those that you lead to play an active role in decision-making and design. From Team Leadership courses to the Strategic Leadership course, the School of Management instills these values into the students who will become the next corporate leaders.

My time studying business has allowed me to take a broader view of this notion through application in both extracurricular opportunities and passion projects. Taking theory one step further, it has been possible to apply and see the power of empowering those whom I lead to actively play a role in strategizing. In the case of my role as the Chairman of the Off-Campus College Transport, Binghamton University’s transportation company, our internal restructuring process was molded by individuals from all levels: the executive team, managerial team, and drivers.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Being open-minded and expanding your horizons across as many disciplines as possible would be the one piece of advice I would give a student looking to major in a business-related field. Taking on extracurriculars that reflect multiple disciplines of interest helps inform a broader context for your business acumen and experience. Any areas that interest you, including theater, art, or music, will provide a foundation to meet people of diverse backgrounds while providing an environment to personally visualize the interaction between business and the broader world.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? The biggest surprise during these past four years has been just how multifaceted business curricula truly can be. Entering business school, one has a certain perspective on the content that will be covered in four years. Traditionally, this is centered on Finance, Accounting, and Marketing principles. However, the business curricula of today is far more robust covering data visualization, in-depth data analysis techniques, and leadership theory. These unexpected elements build a stronger foundation for a future career while also incorporating the wonderful elements of interdisciplinary study into the business workload.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of the work that I have completed for the Binghamton University student body as the Chief Financial Officer of the Student Association and for OCCT. Specifically, my restructuring work in OCCT has turned around the workplace culture for over 80 student employees. Being entirely student-managed, operated, and funded, this entity provides key services to the Binghamton University community. Moreover, it is one of the largest employers for students on campus. In two short years, I have increased our employee count from a mere 42 employees to our current 86 employees. By implementing mental health days for employees, providing the first wage increases since 2017, and investing in benefits, I have uplifted the workplace culture.

Beyond the development and implementation of human resource changes, I have just completed an entire restructuring of the OCCT managerial team creating the role of IT Manager to improve our web pages for the students, staff, and faculty. The division of the OCCT Director into two roles Operations Director and Executive Director has decreased the likelihood of burn-out in the top two managers, while allowing them to focus on expanding service. Service has expanded by three times the service hours since I took my post in June 2022.

Which classmate do you most admire? The classmate I most admire is my close peer Helen Carabasu. Helen and I first met during our introductory days in the School of Management’s class Management 111. During the past few years, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Helen on personal and professional engagements. Our work in assisting local businesses through 180 Degrees Consulting illustrated to me Helen’s drive and desire to assist others through business. Time and time again, Helen has dedicated her time to leverage her technical skillset to uplift the community. By doing so, she has showcased that business is a powerful force for good in the world.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I want to thank my grandfather, Carmine, for my success in my life. Since my childhood, he has served as a source of inspiration and a constant reminder that through hard work anything is possible. Born in the poverty-stricken countryside of Southern Italy after WWII, he immigrated to the United States to provide a better life for his family. Without formal education past the fifth grade, he managed to be a successful businessman in Connecticut.

Throughout my most formative years, he took me under his wings showing me the importance of hard work, determination, and supporting those around you. His attitude of mutual support and the importance of uplifting others sticks with me to this day in my professional and personal endeavors.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? The top two items on my professional bucket list are to obtain my joint Master of Business Administration – Juris Doctor focusing on corporate law and to enter the Healthcare sector. Being in this industry with those credentials can allow me to be part of much-needed reform.

What made Daniel such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Daniel Croce stands out as a truly exceptional student, known for his impactful presence on campus, strategic mindset, and commitment to giving back to his community and peers. On campus, he has made a significant impact through his leadership at the Student Association and his mentorship in the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Scholars program. In these roles, he seeks opportunities to make a positive difference, leaving a lasting impression on those around him. As the Director of the PwC Scholars program, I have had the opportunity to work with Daniel over the last two years and appreciate his welcoming nature and his ability to make everyone feel valued and respected. In all that Daniel has accomplished throughout his time at Binghamton University, his academic achievements never faltered, making him a standout student in every regard.”

Molly Pianella
Director, Graduate Admissions and Student Services
School of Management
Binghamton University

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