|
Armen Sarkisian
Admission Counselor
sarkisia@chapman.edu
Biography in Brief:
Originally from Denver, Colorado, Armen graduated from Chapman in 2006 with a degree in business administration from Chapman’s Argyros School of Business and Economics and is currently working on his Masters in Business Administration at Chapman. As an undergraduate student Armen was involved both on and off campus, taking advantage of all that Southern California has to offer. On campus, he was a four year player and a captain his senior year for Chapman's Men’s lacrosse team and was involved in Greek Life at Chapman. Off campus, Armen coached both youth soccer and lacrosse while working at Wells Fargo Bank and in the Newport Harbor on boats. Currently, he is an advisor for the men’s lacrosse team and the women’s lacrosse team at Chapman.
Advice from Armen:
“I think that it is absolutely imperative for students to get as involved with their community as possible. This is not to pad the resume. Sure it looks great to have leadership roles listed on your college applications/resumes and we DO value these greatly in our decision process but the life experience that you generate from your involvement is where the absolute value resides. Involvement in your community will shape the character of your life more than you would ever imagine. I also highly recommend going with soft tacos, chips and gauc (to share of course) and an Arnold Palmer (Ice Tea and Lemonade) the next time you find yourself at Chipotle.”
Armen's favorite spot on campus:
“This changes on a seasonal basis but overall I’d have to say the entire Lastinger Athletics Complex. I never had the opportunity to enjoy these facilities as a student athelte but I’m certainly reaping the benefits now as a fan. There is something truly special about NCAA Division III and club athletics and the Lastinger Complex is a beautiful home for panther student athletes and fans. The passion for sports is never forgotten, the competitive spirit can thrive, the value of teamwork is instilled, and leadership is earned. Plus it’s a great place to watch our Lacrosse team stomp USC.”
Armen's best admission memory:
“My trip to the Middle-East this past spring to work with international students has to be the best memory out of A LOT of great memories. I was able to visit 6 countries in 12 days that I have never been to before with 20 strangers from other Universities and Colleges from around the world. It was amazing to see the sights and soak in the culture but I truly embraced the opportunity to speak with students about their life goals and help them shape their college selection process. This is the best part of the job regardless of where I am in the world but working with these international students helped me gain a lot of perspective on life in general. This past summer we hosted the conference of OACAC (Overseas Association for College Admission Counseling) and I was able to re-unite with a lot of my new travel friends along with several of the high school counselors that we met along the way. On a side note, we had a dodgeball tournament during this conference and my team was knocked out in the first round…this is not part of my best memory, I’m just still a little bitter about it.”
Armen's best Chapman memory:
“I hate to go jock here but I have to. My entire Chapman experience has helped shape me into the man I am today but playing for the Men’s Lacrosse team iced the cake. Traveling with the team was always a blast but one trip in particular really brought things full circle for me. My Senior year we traveled to Florida to play University of Florida, Florida State, and University of Central Florida. This was my last trip as a player that I would make and in fact the final game was also the final game of our season and my career as we did not make the playoffs. The coaching staff took us to Wakulla Springs State Park for some back swamp gator watching and lake swimming (yes these bodies of waters were connected and we saw 15 ft. gators! Can we say sketchy?). Anyway, in the final game of the season and my career at UCF I happened to come down with a 103 degree temperature (this may or may not have had anything to do with Wakulla Springs) but it was the last game of my career and I had to give it a shot. Mid-way through the first quarter I realized that I was not going to make it much longer and it was about time to get my final goal and get off the field for good. Fortunately, I won the ensuing face-off, ran down the field, shot, saw the back of the net shake, and got off the field only to ask my coach if my little brother (a freshman at the time) could take my spot. He responded “I was going to do that regardless”. Best part was that as soon as my brother stepped on the field, he scored his first collegiate goal. In a moment where I couldn’t feel any worse physically I couldn’t have been happier and more proud of my brother, my lacrosse team, and Chapman University.”
From Our Application
Fast Facts
Three Words to Describe Yourself: Resilient, Competitive, and Honest
Favorite Subject: Entrepreneurial Finance
Role Model: My Uncle, Phil Barrett
Favorite Musical Performer/Band/Composer: Toss-up between Kings of Leon, Modest Mouse, and Talking Heads right now
Most Prized Possession: My grandmother’s travel journal
Favorite Summer Activity: Golf
Book You Would Read Again: Lonesome Dove – By Larry McMurtry (love Western fiction) or The Alchemist – By Paulo Coelho (love to dream)
Best Movie of All Time: The Shawshank Redemption or Tombstone
Favorite Quote (and by whom): “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
Dream Job: GM of the Denver Broncos
|
