Baseball player and business major Alejandro Mendez was drafted by the Minnesota Twins straight out of high school, but his goals extended beyond the baseball field.
As a Division I student athlete, baseball is still an integral part of Mendez’s college experience. However, he has also pursued extensive leadership, service, and professional opportunities that will help him achieve his dream after leaving college athletics: going to medical school. Since 2006, he has shadowed doctors in Orlando and Tampa, learning firsthand about what is involved in patient care. He has made both the dean’s and president’s lists continually since 2009. Mendez also worked as a research lab assistant with the Medicine for Malaria venture, working to extract compounds that could combat malaria.
Mendez takes advantage of leadership opportunities both on and off the field. He is the president of Student Athletic Advisory Committee at USF and the Big East Student Athletic Advisory Committee, an organization that assists student-athletes by acting as the liaison and bridge between the students, university and the NCAA. He serves the community numerous ways, notably through Samaritan’s Feet, an organization providing shoes to those who cannot afford them. He was in charge of fundraising for a local event, raising $4,000 to buy 300 pairs of shoes.
Mendez has been recognized nationally for his achievements: he was named the Nesquik Student-Athlete of the Week in 2011 and has been on the Big East Athletic Honor Roll since 2009.
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