HOW LEADERS CAN SHAPE A COMMUNITY- A SHORT STORY ABOUT GRADUATE STUDENT/ASSISTANT MARVIN BEST

He once started out as an undergraduate student here at Barry, who wasn’t involved in much and in his words: “ didn’t really put himself out there.” Ironically, he would later realize that he developed such a passion for empowering and helping others. 

Born and raised in Norwalk, Connecticut, Marvin Best moved to Miami to pursue his Bachelors of Science in Business Management at Barry University. He then went on to pursue his Masters of Business Administration with a Specialization in Finance which he will graduate with in Spring of 2022. 

In 2020, Marvin was hired by the Office of Student Life as a Graduate Assistant. He was challenged with trying to program and operate under covid restrictions in a changing work environment due to campus adjustments to COVID. 

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 In an understaffed department, it became difficult at times to successfully plan and execute events for a campus of 7,000 students and complete other tasks he had. 

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However, Marvin was very adaptive and efficient under those conditions, and even exceeded a lot of expectations that were held for him. 

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Coordinator of Student Events & Activities, Clarence Jones stated that “Marvin became such a huge staple to the Office of Student Life” in times when programming became extremely difficult due to working an originally four-staffed department with what became an only two people staffed department. 

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Jones also expressed how Marvin is “very student-driven” which contributed to him becoming such a leader at Barry. 

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Marvin shared that “stepping out of his comfort zone allowed him to become a leader and realize his potential.” 

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He was such a leading individual and key component to not only the Office of Student Life but Barry University as well. He was promoted to a coordinator for Student Organizations in addition to his Graduate Assistant position. 

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One thing that keeps him motivated is the fact that he doesn’t see mishaps, setbacks, and anxiety as “blocking points but rather stepping stones as they are a part of the story we tell.” He uses these same things to fuel him in achieving his goals. 

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Work-study Angie C. shared that Marvin “keeps her motivated and it is because of people like him why certain communities can thrive in college.” 

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Marvin Best is also the Managing Director of the Student Management Investment Fund here at Barry which works in collaboration with Big Brother Big Sister of Miami. He hopes to continue to be inspirational to the younger generations and make change through mentorship.