Portrait of Brett Fene.
APRIL 14, 2022 | BY NATE PROCTOR
Brett Fene’s first international experience was with President’s Community Scholars in Arezzo, Italy. Since his first trip to Italy, Brett has gone to over 20 new countries through various professional and personal experiences. Brett graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2017 with his bachelor’s in management information systems and entrepreneurship and venture management. He now works as a data analytics engineer with Workrise in Austin, Texas. We reached out to Brett to discuss his PCS experience and its impact on him.
Q: How did PCS impact your undergraduate experience?
Brett: PCS provided me with my first international experience in Arezzo, Italy at OU’s campus, which would have never occurred through my academic track alone. Due to this formative experience abroad, I’ve pursued professional jobs and personal adventures which have taken me around the world, adding 21 new countries since my first trip to Italy with PCS.
Q: How did your experience in PCS and education at OU prepare you for life after you graduated?
Brett: PCS brings together students from a diverse array of cultures and backgrounds, allowing new college students the ability to immediately become friends and share ideas with peers that you may have never originally sought out. The fresh and authentic perspective gained from your PCS peers will benefit you greatly as you work to be the best colleague, neighbor and friend you can be after graduating.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give to the current and incoming PCS classes?
Brett: PCS is a privilege to your college experience and the benefit received out of the program is directly proportional to the energy and passion one is willing to invest. Freshman year flies by and as soon as you look up it will already be the start of your sophomore year. Don’t let another fleeting moment pass you by without investing yourself fully in the PCS experience.
Q: How have you continued to give back to your community as an adult?
Brett: Following college, I moved to Chicago to pursue a career. I got involved in a youth mentor program which was a great way to continue serving my new community while also providing me with a host of new friends.
President’s Community Scholars is composed of students who want to make a difference in their community. President Joseph Harroz Jr. recognizes the community service efforts of our high school's best and brightest scholars through the President's Community Scholars scholarship. Administered by the Office of Leadership and Volunteerism from the Division of Student Affairs, PCS provides high-achieving high school students with the best possible freshman experience through service to local, state, and global communities.
