Equipped to Lead and Succeed

Meet John Mrlik ’26

Dean's Scholarship Recipient

Where are you from and what is your background?
I was born and raised in San Francisco and attended St. Ignatius College Prep, which put me in close proximity to USF. I remember attending many USF events as a child into my teenage years. My association with the University increased as one of my best friends from college became an assistant basketball coach at the school.

I've worked in the renewable energy field for about 8 years since I graduated from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY in the residential solar financing industry.

Why did you apply for this graduate program and decide to study at USF?
The Energy Systems Management (ESM) program was a perfect fit for what I was looking for in a program. It allows me to explore my interests in the energy sector in detail while developing skills that I would not find in other programs. I strongly believe that in the next 20 years, how the energy sector evolves will be the single most important factor in combating climate change and ensuring our future as a species. It is this belief that lead me to pursuing a career in renewable energy and my continued education at USF. This program will further my knowledge in the space and permit me to make an impact in the transition from fossil fuels to renewables.

I had several great conversations with Fred Wellington that left me enthusiastic about the program. Fred outlined the courses I would be taking in detail, and his perspective gave me a clear picture about how this program would translate into real world scenarios. A friend from high school is currently in his second year in the program and I sought his advice. His experience in the program gave me more insight into the workload and solidified that the ESM program was a great fit for me.

What impacts has the Dean's Scholarship had on your ability to further your studies?
The Dean's Scholarship will have an invaluable impact on my academic journey, by easing the financial burden and giving me the freedom to fully focus on my studies. I will be able to dedicate more of my time in exploring new opportunities that the scholarship provides.

I look at the Dean's Scholarship as an opportunity to meet other recipients and see what they are doing in their professional careers. I am deeply honored to be selected.

What are your career ambitions?
I currently work for a renewable energy company owned by FifthThird Bank in the midwest, where I help drive initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and meeting the bank's sustainability targets. My ambition is to continue building on this momentum, exploring innovative ways to support the bank, and become a leader in the banking industry for sustainability.

I envision myself working closely with different teams to design and implement strategies that exceed current emission targets, ensuring that the bank plays a pivotal role in the transition to a low-carbon future. Continuing to be part of a company that shares my commitment to sustainability is a driving point for my motivation, and I'm excited with the help of the ESM program, to start making a greater impact in this field.

What is something unique or interesting about you?
Alongside my full-time role at FifthThird Bank, I also coach high school basketball at my alma mater, St. Ignatius. Balancing my career at FifthThird with coaching has given me a unique perspective that has significantly enriched both my professional and personal development.

Coaching competitive basketball has taught me three important lessons: preparation, execution, and collaboration. These lessons have translated directly into my professional life.

Preparation is everything. Just like before a basketball game, preparation is key for any important meeting or presentation. I’ve learned that when I’m fully prepared—whether it’s analyzing the opposing team’s tactics or reviewing notes for a presentation or demo — I feel more confident and capable. I give this same advice to my players: when you know the game plan and what is expected of you, you step onto the court ready to execute at the highest level. That mindset translates to leading my team at work —knowing that thorough preparation leads to success.

Execution under pressure is another lesson that coaching has taught me. During stressful times, it is important to not get too high or too low. I’ve learned to stay calm, analyze situations, and make adjustments on the fly, calling a play at an important time in a game, or responding to an unexpected question during work. Coaching has taught me the importance of poise in high-pressure environments, which has translated to my ability to handle pressure in the workplace, remaining composed and focused when stakes are high.

Collaboration is of the utmost importance. In coaching, bringing players together and imploring them to work toward a shared goal that personifies their collective effort is the reason they play and I coach. I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to harness each player’s strengths and have them buy into a collective strategy. This has been invaluable in my professional life, where collaboration is key to achieving personal and company goals. I've learned that success comes from working together. No individual can achieve success without help and working in collaboration with others.

Coaching challenges me in ways that drastically improve my work and vice versa. I'm proud to be a high school coach and to be able to pass my knowledge along to high schoolers.

 

Are You ELIGIBLE?

The Dean’s Scholarship recognizes a select group of incoming students in graduate programs, who the admission committees believe will make a substantial contribution to the programs. Recipients are selected based on merit. To be considered for the Dean's Scholarship, students must apply to their program by the program's priority deadline.

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