Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Illinois

4 NICK CIFFONE '10 WINS ILLINI COMEBACK AWARD Balanced Man Lifestyle Leads to Success W hen Nick Ciffone '10 joined Illinois Alpha, he knew he was joining a great group of men that included his older brother, Mike Ciffone '09. But it wasn't until after Nick graduated from the University of Illinois that he fully realized how Sigma Phi Epsilon had made him a Balanced Man. The University of Illinois Alumni Associa- tion has also seen those Balanced Man qual- ities in Nick, as he has thrived in his current role as the creative director of TBWA/Media Arts Lab and in his previous positions at 72andSunny, Chiat/Day, and RPA. Nick was recognized by the alumni association during Homecoming Week in 2018, when he was presented with the Illini Comeback Award. "Honestly, it was super unexpected. Most of the winners are quite a bit older… and have done stuff like, you know, go to space," Nick said. "But hey, I'm used to being the less successful one as my brother, Mike, is basically a rocket scientist. So, in short, I felt humbled by it all." Being humbled has been a common theme throughout his career. The commercials he has helped produce have earned several prestigious hon- ors—Emmys, Cannes Lions, Clios, and many more. He has worked with organizations such as adidas, Apple, ESPN, Gatorade, Miller Lite, and Nissan, and with many celebrities. Some of the memories Nick has made will last a lifetime. "Watching Sean Aston reprise his role as Rudy and direct Tim Brown with such ease for one of our Heisman House spots is up there. Watching kids freak out when they met Derek Jeter is definitely up there," Nick said. "Writing lines with Jody Hill that were sent in real time to a bud in Peyton Manning's ear as well. Talking with Ice Cube and hearing his appreciation for film craft. Most recently though, getting to work with Doug Liman and Janusz Kamiński to shoot a video game/monster/Kung Fu/action spot ranks at the top." While Nick's work schedule keeps him busy, he doesn't let it control every aspect of his life. Being a Balanced Man has helped Nick stay in touch with his Illinois Alpha brothers when not spending time with his wife, Alyssa, and dog, Larry. "Work life and personal life. Faith and fun. Time travel- ing and time at home. A little bit of wine, but not too much. Work out, but not too much," Nick said. "Read some. Game some. Keep enough close friends that you can truly be there for them, but not so many that you don't even know who they are dating. Life is all about balance." SigEp's principles of virtue, diligence, and brotherly love have been and always will be important to Nick. He touched on those values with several University of Illinois students when he received the Illini Comeback Award. "It's important to work hard and have a vision for your life," Nick said. "But, it's just as important to enjoy the moment you are in and take full advantage of this time in life. Say yes to as many adventures as possible, because it's your experiences that will shape who you become, not a job." Q&A with Board of Advisor Member Andrew Harvell '15 How has Illinois Alpha impacted your life? The decision to join was easy and one of the best I made in college. I have lived with SigEps both during and after college, been fortunate to stand in Fraternity brothers' weddings, and forged new professional connections all because of SigEp. Without my SigEp experience, I would not be the man I am today. What advice would you give to the undergraduates as they prepare for life after college? Do not assume your SigEp experience ends after college—it only just begins. The network, brothers, and experiences you foster as a SigEp will continue long into your professional career, but only if you choose to leverage it. Don't be afraid to chase after a goal or dream, take risks, and don't be afraid to fail. Share your experience as the lead producer for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products? It has been incredible, challenging and ever-changing. As a Lead Digital Producer, I'm part of a team responsible for the "care and feeding" of digital products like an app or a website once they go live. We look after the day-to-day operations and ongoing enhancements for digital destinations that millions of people visit every day. These responsibilities can range from updating content on one of our dozens of websites, managing yearly operating budgets for huge teams, producing photoshoots, and so on. With more than 100 producers at Disney Parks and Resorts Digital, we all wear slightly different hats, and each have unique skill sets that help us on our specific projects. How were you able to successfully land your dream job right out of college? Network constantly and see every interaction as an opportunity to grow that network. There are likely many companies and industries that you won't be exposed to during a traditional career fair, so if you're interested in a specific company, take your own initiative to seek out those people and learn from them. I leveraged Illinois' Business Career Services, my LinkedIn network, and even my dad's co-workers. Eventually I talked to the right people and landed an interview with The Walt Disney Company. It's easy to say, "the rest is history," but it took follow-up and continued focus on building relationships to make the most of that opportunity. California is a long way from Illinois. What prompted you to serve on the Board of Advisors? I wanted a way to stay involved with an organization that gave me so many friends and experiences. When the AVC approached me, I was certainly skeptical, given my distance from the chapter, but it's really been an enjoyable experience. Volunteering for your home chapter, rather than one closest to you geographically, requires an extra level of dedication, but the connection I feel to Illinois Alpha has become that much stronger. Hopefully I'm able to help guide the next generation of leaders in their personal, professional, and SigEp development. Andrew Harvell '15 at Disneyland Park. Andrew Harvell '15 with Pluto.

• Cover