From Scholar to Leader: How the Buccino Leadership Institute Helped Colin Little Find His Path

When Colin Little ’26 began researching Seton Hall University from his home in Houston, Texas, he had a goal: to build a career in finance in New York City. Exactly what that career would look like, however, remained uncertain.

The Buccino Leadership Institute (BLI, the Institute) stood out for its hands-on leadership experiences and opportunities to connect with professionals early in his college career. Those opportunities became a major factor in his decision to attend Seton Hall, where he discovered that leadership development could shape not only his professional ambitions but also his understanding of himself.

“When I entered Seton Hall, I was quiet and unsure about where I wanted to end up after graduation,” Little said. Through BLI, he began to develop a clearer sense of who he was, how he could contribute to his community and what leadership could look like beyond the classroom.

“I would first learn more about who I am as a person, how I fit into my community, and the roles that I should take in order to thrive inside and outside of the university gates,” he said.

These lessons encouraged Little to explore opportunities beyond his initial interests and recognize the different ways he could contribute to a team, whether in a visible leadership role or behind the scenes.

Exploring New Opportunities
Little entered Seton Hall’s Stillman School of Business as a finance major, initially focused on a career in the financial sector. His internships and experiences through BLI gradually broadened his interests.

His first internship, at a fixed-income trading firm, introduced him to the field of finance. Meanwhile, BLI projects and guest speakers highlighted the importance of understanding technology across industries. Those conversations encouraged him to add a second major in IT management.

A subsequent internship in the accounting department of a digital marketing company brought together his financial and technical interests. Enjoying the work, he added a minor in accounting.

Together, his academic background, professional experience and leadership development through BLI helped him secure both an internship and a full-time offer with Bank of America. After graduating from Seton Hall in May 2026, he relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, to begin his professional career.

Learning to Lead Through Experience
As Little’s confidence grew, so did his leadership responsibilities within the Institute.

During his senior year, he helped organize upperclassmen to review applications and interview prospective BLI students. Having once been an applicant himself, Little gained a new perspective on the selection process, helping identify students with the potential to grow through the same program that had shaped his own development.

The responsibility required him to coordinate a team, establish goals and deadlines and keep the application review process moving forward. Reflecting on the experience, Little emphasized the importance of creating a shared sense of purpose while recognizing that teammates work differently.

“While flexibility for teammates and understanding how people work their best is important, enforcing expectations and guiding the team to success is what a leader in my situation should work to do,” he said.

The selection process also allowed Little to consider what makes an effective leader. Rather than focusing solely on applicants’ accomplishments, he and his fellow students considered how candidates responded to challenges and what they could bring to the Institute.

“Leaders in any field need to be able to take a past experience and grow from it, be moldable throughout their life, and overcome any challenge that they may face,” he said.

Putting Leadership Lessons Into Practice
Among the Institute's signature experiences, Little identifies the yearlong Ideas and Trends project as particularly influential in preparing him for his career. During an interview with Bank of America, Little was asked to describe a time he overcame a challenge and demonstrated leadership.

He drew directly from his work on the Ideas and Trends project. “My specific role during Ideas and Trends was to create an interactive and public-facing website to house our final product,” Little said. “This led me to collecting information, collaborating with many groups inside and outside our project, and diligently working to meet both self-imposed and externally set deadlines.”

As he explained during the interview, “leadership is not about leading the most important pieces or biggest teams; it is also about making sure everyone works towards a common goal.”

The project also reinforced the importance of preparation and follow-through, skills that continue to inform his professional approach today.

“Showing up prepared helped demonstrate that I have the foresight necessary to succeed in a competitive environment,” Little said. “It is an easy way to demonstrate reliability and professionalism as well, which helped me stand out from my peers.”

Looking back, Little believes experiences like Ideas and Trends helped him tell meaningful stories during interviews while demonstrating leadership, teamwork and problem-solving in action.

Carrying Leadership Beyond Seton Hall
Looking back on his time at Seton Hall, Little reflects on the confidence he gained and his willingness to take on unfamiliar challenges.

“Throughout my time at Seton Hall, and especially with the help of BLI, I am now more confident and able to maintain the foresight required to be successful in any setting that I am in,” he said. “This combination also allows me to put myself in (so-called) uncomfortable situations without thinking twice.”

Little encourages current BLI students to make the most of their university experience by building relationships, pursuing extracurricular activities and exploring opportunities beyond campus. He also stresses the importance of commitment and dependability, viewing personal character, a strong network and a willingness to embrace new experiences as foundations for future leadership.

As he continues to grow in his career, Little carries those lessons forward.

“I know that whatever situation I put myself in, I will find a way to grow and excel.”

Categories: Business