Roman Conca ‘26: Student. Athlete. Leader. Fulbright recipient.

Roman Conca ’26 (Integrative Engineering) received US Fulbright’s Austria Combined Open Study/Research & English Teaching Assistantship.

Conca will be working as an English teaching assistant at two high schools in Vienna, Austria, to assist and lead lessons focused on topics relating to American culture, society, politics, and more. He will also be conducting research about cultural and societal motivations for sustainable infrastructure at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, known as BOKU University in English.

Conca says his time spent with the Lafayette Extended Orientation (LEO) program and OAKs Leadership Academy prepared him well for working in large groups with individuals from unique and varied backgrounds. 

The LEOs are a group of sophomore, junior, and senior student leaders who are extensively trained to provide support to new students as they become Lafayette Leopards. The OAKs Leadership Academy supports Lafayette student-athletes and coaches with leadership development programming such as workshops, 360-degree feedback, one-on-one coaching, peer mentoring, supplemental online training, and educational resources.

“My experience in these organizations has sharpened my skills as a communicator and a role model to foster an environment where others feel comfortable and can speak freely without judgment,” Conca says.

His experience in the Integrative Engineering (IntE) program, which brings students from various focus areas together in a series of common core classes, has similarly prepared him. 

“Learning from one another and benefiting from each other’s disciplines was the focus of the IntE program — using a multidisciplinary process to address modern socio-technical challenges. The collaboration of different engineering backgrounds, cultures, and ideas was exactly what allowed the IntE program to be successful.”

Conca also credits time spent with the track and field team in helping him hone his leadership skills by developing a shared vision among team members and learning how to address setbacks and challenges.

“Comradery and team culture were a huge part of our team’s success, and I will certainly continue to bring that level of enthusiasm with me wherever I go.”

Conca and friends in a cafe near Dresden during study abroad.

Conca was inspired to apply for the Fulbright grant by his German professor, Dr. Berggren, during his study abroad program in Germany the summer before his junior year. He appreciated the more relaxed pace of daily life during his time abroad, which ebbed and flowed with work, travel, and social time, but seemed to focus more on enjoying the moment rather than rushing to get things done.

“I feel that my most rewarding moments were those where I took a step back and told myself that I am experiencing life through a whole new lens. Just being able to appreciate the nuances of a different culture and lifestyle was enough for me.”

Conca plans to bring the knowledge and experiences he gains from Vienna back to the U.S. and pursue a Master’s Degree in environmental engineering.