Fox Cities News

Nico Manzanera, a junior at Lawrence University from Bogotá, Colombia, emphasizes the importance of determination and connecting with others in building one's future. As a business and entrepreneurship major, he applies this philosophy both academically and athletically. Manzanera has earned Academic All-Midwest Conference honors for two consecutive years.

After high school, Manzanera chose to spend an additional year at a prep school in Florida when his athletic prospects did not meet his expectations. This period allowed him to focus on training and exploring academic interests while researching college opportunities. A year later, he found Lawrence University to be the right fit after being recruited for basketball.

"I connected with the people here a lot, especially the guys on the team," Manzanera said. "Also, when I talked to a faculty member (Gary Vaughan), I felt like this would be the best place for me to find my future after college and basketball are done."

Manzanera values his experience as part of the Lawrence basketball team both on and off the court. He enjoys activities such as team bus rides and karaoke nights. Academically, he recently represented students at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Business and Entrepreneurship Center in Fox Commons. During his speech, he highlighted how liberal arts education turns students into "lifelong learners."

"The B&E Center will provide a space for us, the students, to connect our classroom and college experiences to real-life experiences," he stated.

Basketball coach Casey Korn commended Manzanera's ability to connect with people and positively influence any environment.

"Nico is one of a kind," Korn remarked. "He came to Lawrence as a first-year and moved in with international students. By the time other first-years arrived on campus, I think he knew every athlete and international student there."

Looking ahead, Manzanera aims for a career in consulting or sales while pursuing internships that align with his diverse interests. The B&E Center offers him opportunities to collaborate with business professionals.

Balancing academics with athletics presents challenges that Manzanera navigates through organization and advice from coaches and advisors. He focuses on staying present rather than being overwhelmed by upcoming tasks.

"It is very easy to worry about all my assignments due in the next two weeks," he noted. "But staying present on the current week or task has helped me stay calm."

Ultimately, Manzanera finds joy in organizing priorities effectively: "At the end of the day, we indeed have time for everything we want to do; we just have to learn how to organize and prioritize," he said.