Student Spotlights
Alexandra Masucci
Alexandra Masucci (pictured here in Florence) is from Flower Mound, Texas, and graduated from Baylor in 2019 with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Italian. Her interest in studying Italian was primarily driven by a desire to connect with her family’s origins in Naples.
It did not take long for Alexandra to develop a passion for this incredible language and Italian culture in general, and after completing the elementary and intermediate requirements as part of the BA degree, she knew she did not want to stop there. Completing a minor by studying abroad was the next step. Alexandra enrolled in the Baylor in Tuscany study abroad program (summer 2018) and it was one of the best decisions she’s ever made. Living with a host family and experiencing the day-to-day in Florence was tremendous in developing her fluency and confidence in Italian.
Upon returning from Florence, Alexandra became involved with the Italian club as a social media content creator and also served as an Italian tutor. She states that working with fellow students and helping them achieve their Italian language goals was a true delight. Overall, her experience studying Italian at Baylor, along with the opportunity to learn from exceptional faculty, is something she will always remember fondly.
After graduating, Alexandra began working in the insurance industry where she is currently an underwriter. She made several return trips to Italy since the pivotal study abroad in 2018, and has plans for another one in summer 2026.
Roberto Garcia
Roberto Garcia (pictured here at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence) was born and raised in San Antonio.
He graduated in May 2023 with a BS in Biochemistry. Roberto grew up in a bicultural household with a Hispanic father and an Italian mother. Italian culture has always been central to his identity, shaped by summers in Florence with his nonna and maternal relatives, and strengthened through his ties to San Antonio’s Italian community.
To further develop his Italian at Baylor University, Roberto enrolled in one of Dr. Tiziano Cherubini’s courses in spring 2021. After completing the course, he started hosting La Tavola Italiana beginning in fall 2021 and continued leading conversation sessions until graduation. La Tavola Italiana provided Baylor students with a weekly opportunity to explore Italian culture, review class material, and, above all, practice speaking the language. Roberto says, “Hosting La Tavola Italiana was such a pleasure. The sessions were always filled with laughter and good vibes. Having an open space to practice our Italian, regardless of level, made learning unique, memorable, and fun.”
After graduating from Baylor, Roberto began working in research at UT Health San Antonio’s Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, led by founding director Sudha Seshadri. Under the mentorship of Vanessa Young, he participated in the Characterizing Older Mexican Participation in Activity, Digitally, Reliably, and Equitably-Collaborative Aging in Place Research using Technology (COMPADRE CART) and Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (Diverse VCID) studies. His work involved using home-based technologies to assess daily activity and cognitive changes in support of dementia prevention among underserved South Texas populations, as well as studying how vascular risk factors later in life contribute to brain injury and cognitive decline. He contributed to efforts aimed at improving our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including the role of social determinants of health in disease risk and onset.
“In a rapidly changing world, we must not forget that science exists to better humanity and deepen our understanding of one another,” Roberto states. Driven by his passion for both people and healthcare, Roberto chose to pursue a career in medicine. In October 2025, he was accepted into the Medicine and Surgery program at the University of Bologna. There, he is pursuing medicine in the spirit of Pro Mundo—for the world—with a calling to place the ever-expanding tools of modern healthcare in the hands of those who need them most, wherever they may be.
Roberto holds deep appreciation for the faculty at Baylor. From Modern Languages and Cultures to Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor gave him the opportunity to explore and thrive across multiple disciplines. Roberto says, “I am blessed to have had the chance to study Italian at Baylor. To this day, the Baylor family continues to support me, and I would not be where I am without them. If I had to relive my time in Waco, I would not have done it any other way. I hope to collaborate with Baylor in the future and give back to the Waco community and beyond.”