Built on discipline: Finance major Armando Santana turns preparation into opportunity

Armando Santana doesn’t ease into his days.

He seizes them—starting at 5 a.m.

By the time most of campus is waking up, Santana has already worked out, read, checked the markets and planned ahead. That discipline—built over years as a student-athlete, coach, finance major and emerging sales professional—has shaped his Rowan University experience and now propels him toward his next chapter.

On Wednesday, May 13, Santana will walk in Rowan University’s William G. Rohrer College of Business Commencement ceremony after pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance. A four-year player on the men’s soccer team, Santana will begin his professional career this June as an associate district manager at ADP.

“I’m very big on discipline,” said Santana. For him, discipline means setting a goal and following through.

From entrepreneurship to finance

A Bergen County native and graduate of Don Bosco Preparatory High School, Santana arrived at Rowan intent on majoring in entrepreneurship. The son of a State Farm business owner, he always knew business was his future—he just wasn’t sure which lane.

That changed during his first two years at Rowan, when he joined Rowan Student Investment Group and began to better understand the scope and reach of finance. He ultimately decided to switch.

“I wanted a more concentrated major,” Santana said. “It’s everywhere, and it translates directly to the real world.”

Many finance courses rely heavily on group projects and presentations—an experience he embraced.

Santana revels in teamwork in the classroom and on the field. Rowan men’s soccer coach Scott Baker has seen Santana’s drive firsthand.

“The best thing about Armando is his ability to work through challenges,” Baker said. “It doesn’t matter who’s the best or who’s the fastest, he will outwork you until he gets better—on and off the field.”

Baker said Santana’s discipline is undeniable, noting the marathon he recently completed after months of training. “He’s always doing what he’s supposed to, even when no one’s watching. He’s the kind of guy you want on your team, whether that’s sports or business.”

Proving himself

Outside of Rowan, Santana has worked as a State Farm service representative for two years, gaining experience in customer service and sales. Though his father runs his own insurance agency, Santana intentionally chose to work at a different one. He wanted to prove he could do it on his own.

During his junior year, he earned licenses in life, health, casualty and property insurance—completing four state exams while balancing a demanding academic schedule, soccer and coaching responsibilities.

Santana wanted to prove himself, but the process pushed him to his limits. He failed some of the exams on his first attempts, but with some encouragement from his father, he stayed the course.

“It showed how much I needed to prepare and be organized to take things on,” said Santana.

In the end, that spring turned out to be his best semester yet.

But he didn’t do it all by himself. Santana credits his professors at Rohrer College of Business with giving him the tools to achieve his goals—and they, in turn, applauded his persistence.

“He’s really outgoing, really willing to seek and receive feedback,” said Rick Ogden, assistant professor within Rohrer College of Business. “He uses all the resources in front of him to accomplish the task at hand.”

Santana took Ogden’s financial derivatives course, one of the most complex classes available to finance students. In class, Ogden said, Santana was highly engaged.

Adjunct professor Sridhar Manyem saw the same thing when he taught Santana in his insurance and risk management course last fall.

Beyond grades, Santana seemed motivated by a desire to excel. “He made sure he was making the best of his student experience,” Manyem said.

Showing up for his team

Competitive by nature, Santana helped lead the men’s soccer team during one of its most successful stretches in program history. During his tenure, Rowan won three conference championships—the first time they’ve won the New Jersey Athletic Conference since 2003.

One of Santana’s soccer teammates, Evan Schlotterbeck, holds him in high regard.

“He shows up every single day with a great attitude,” said Schlotterbeck, a graduate student in Rowan’s strategic communication program. Described as a servant leader, Santana pushes his fellow players to give their all—and then some.

“His voice might not necessarily be the loudest, but his behavior is. He gives 110 percent, and supports the rest of the team so they can give 110 percent, too,” added Schlotterbeck.

Beyond Rowan, Santana coaches youth soccer in Washington Township, leading four teams and working to be as much of a mentor to them as Coach Baker has been to him.

Eyes forward

After graduation, Santana will join ADP in an outside sales role that will put him on the road meeting clients and building relationships. Long term, Santana envisions a future of independence and flexibility.

“I want to be my own boss,” he said. “I want to be able to make my own schedule.”

Advice he would give to high school students mirrors the mindset that has shaped his Rowan journey.

“There’s a big difference between arrogance and confidence,” Santana said. “Confidence is knowing you’ve put in the work and you’re prepared. Arrogance is just hoping and praying you’ll succeed. And there’s a big difference between discipline and motivation, too.”

For Santana, motivation is fleeting. “But discipline is when you might not feel like doing something, but you know you made a promise to yourself, so you’re going to do it anyway,” he said.