Conversations with Grayson:
You spent the spring in Florence, Italy for Study Abroad. How was that?
Study abroad was truly one of the most valuable experiences I've had in college. I got to meet people from all over the world and experience a completely different culture while still having a sense of community through the University of Rochester. What I loved most about Florence was that I wasn't just there as a tourist. I was actually living there- figuring out everyday life, exploring the city, trying new foods, traveling around Europe on weekends, and getting comfortable being somewhere completely unfamiliar. It definitely pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but I came back feeling much more independent and open-minded. I also made some really close friendships that I know I'll carry with me beyond college.
Florence has many Renaissance masterpieces. Did you have a chance to see any of them?
Yes! The Uffizi Gallery was definitely one of the highlights for me. I actually took a class while I was in Florence called History of the Jews in Italy, and a big part of the class focused on Jewish life during the Renaissance, so seeing the art from that period was especially interesting. One of my favorites was Botticelli's The Adoration of the Magi. We talked a lot in class about the political, religious, and cultural environment of Renaissance Florence, so being able to see artwork from that same period in person made a lot of what we were learning feel much more real. It was really cool to be learning about the Renaissance in class and then walk around Florence and actually see that history around me.
How did your internship tie in with your major of Data Science?
My internship this summer at BNY showed me what Data Science can look like in the real world. At school, it's easy to think of Data Science as mostly coding, statistics, or working with datasets. At BNY, I learned that there's a much bigger picture. I was working with data and technology, but I was also learning how to understand the business problem behind them, ask better questions, and think about how different pieces of a system connect. That was probably one of my biggest takeaways from the summer because it helped me see Data Science as much more than just the technical side.
What did you take away from the experience in Florence?
The biggest thing I took away was probably learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable. I was living in a new country, surrounded by people I didn't know, and doing things completely differently than I was used to. You have to figure things out as you go, and that made me much more independent. I also learned how much you can learn simply by being around people with different backgrounds and perspectives. Between Florence and the people I met there, I came back with a much broader perspective and a greater appreciation for experiences that push me outside of what I already know.
There is a concentration of business and economics spinning off from Data Science. Can you please elaborate on that?
One of the things I really like about Data Science is that it gives me a strong technical foundation, but I've also wanted to understand the business side of how technology and data are actually used. That's why I chose to take courses in accounting, marketing, and Brand Management: Made in Italy as part of my concentration. Accounting helped me understand how businesses measure performance and make financial decisions, while marketing and brand management gave me a better understanding of customers, consumer behavior, and how companies position themselves.
I think that combination is really valuable because Data Science isn't just about analyzing numbers or writing code. It's about understanding the problem you're trying to solve and being able to communicate what the data actually means to a business. My technical background in Data Science, combined with the business knowledge I've gained through those courses, allows me to look at a problem from both sides and think not just about what the data says, but how it can actually be used to make better decisions.
You interned at Techstra Solutions including work in IT consulting and AI research. What sort of tasks were you handling?
At Techstra Solutions, I focused on research around agentic AI and how it could be used to help the business automate different processes. I looked at how AI agents could go beyond simply answering questions and actually handle multi-step tasks and workflows with less manual involvement. A big part of my work was thinking through where these technologies could realistically create value for the business and what kinds of processes could be improved through automation. I really enjoyed that because it combined my interest in AI and Data Science with the business side of figuring out how technology can make processes more efficient.
In field hockey, you've developed a knack for scoring GWGs. You have 11 in three years (and 23 goals overall). One of your winners came in a shootout vs. RPI in 2024. Is the shootout a tense situation?
Definitely. A shootout is one of the most pressure-filled situations because everything happens so quickly and there's not much time to think. You know your teammates, coaches, and everyone watching are counting on you. For me, the biggest thing is staying calm and trusting what I've practiced. Once I'm out there, I don't want to think about all of the possible outcomes. I just focus on the next move and trust myself. Having played with the same teammates for several years also helps because I know they're behind me no matter what happens.
Hypothetically, if your friends are coming to see you play, where on the field will they find you hunting for goals?
If my friends are coming to watch me play, they'll probably find me sprinting down the field, looking for a give-and-go with one of my teammates and trying to get myself into the circle. I'm definitely not someone who's going to stop fighting for a play. I like the physical, competitive side of the game, and I'm willing to keep battling for the ball until I create an opportunity. Once we get into the circle, I'm usually looking to get right on the goalie's pads and be ready to smash in a rebound or finish a pass. I think a lot of my goals come from that mindset- I'm persistent, I don't give up on a play, and I'm always looking for the next opportunity to make something happen.
As a senior and a team leader, what will you talk about with the younger players?
I think one of the biggest things I want to talk to the younger players about is being coachable and working hard. Some of the biggest growth I've had as a player has come from being willing to listen, take feedback, make mistakes, and come back the next day determined to get better. You don't have to have all the answers, but you do have to be willing to learn.
I also want them to understand that field hockey is a collective effort. You can't be successful as an individual if you're not making the people around you better. That means working for your teammates, making the extra pass, doing the recovery run, communicating, and being willing to do whatever the team needs in that moment. Sometimes your contribution is scoring the goal, and sometimes it's the play that creates the goal or the effort that keeps your teammate going.
Most importantly, I want the younger players to know that I believe in them. I know how much confidence and support from your teammates can mean, especially when you're still figuring things out. I want to be someone they can come to, whether they need advice, encouragement, or just someone to remind them what they're capable of. If I can help them become more confident players and teammates while also enjoying the experience as much as I have, then I think I've done my job as a captain.
Who were the upperclass leaders who helped to guide you when you were a first-year?
When I was a first-year, Mara Heppard, Elisabeth Sidorski (Sid), and Zoe Conomikes were three upperclassmen who made a huge difference in helping me find my place on the team. They each showed me a different kind of leadership. Mara had so much passion for the team and for our Meliora values, and watching how much she cared about the people around her showed me what it meant to truly lead by example. Sid had a way of making everyone feel like they belonged. She gave all of the first-years nicknames, and mine was “Purple” because she decided I needed a new color instead of gray. It was a small thing, but it made the transition feel a lot less intimidating and showed me how much those little things can matter to a new teammate. And Zoe, being from Pittsburgh like me, gave me that sense of familiarity when so much of college was new. She always brought humor and energy to the team and reminded me not to take everything so seriously and to enjoy the experience.
Looking back, I think what I learned from all three of them is that leadership isn't just about what you do on the field. It's about the way you make people feel, the energy you bring to the team, and the example you set every day. That's something I really want to carry with me into my senior year as a captain.
