Antoni Hoyte-Small's determination shines throughout his academic journey. As a former student-athlete, Antoni made intentional connections.
“My main reason for choosing UL Lafayette to complete my degree would be a fellow Barbadian athlete and long-time friend, Nathan Fergusson," Antoni said. "He was telling me a lot of good things about the school, program, and put me into contact with Coach Badon, who ended up offering me a full scholarship to compete for UL Lafayette and finish my degree.”
After obtaining his undergraduate degree, Antoni chose to pursue a Master of Business Administration. He believes his experience is enriched by the helpful faculty and staff at the University.
“The professors that I have interacted with at UL Lafayette are all very willing to help, give advice and provide some insight into what avenues I could be taking in order to achieve my goals. They are all so full of knowledge and love to share their expertise with students, which makes the environment very conducive to synthesizing the information gathered to make informed decisions.”
As far as impactful projects, Antoni has assisted various professors transform their traditional courses into digestible online courses with a special focus on accessibility for those needing disability accommodations.
“I have been blessed to meet and work with multiple professors who are genuinely good people. From the Department of Management, I would like to highlight Dr. Jeremy Navarre," he said. "Dr. Navarre has been extremely integral in my path to the MBA degree. I took his operations management class at the undergraduate level and it raised my affinity for business as I felt it was one of the few undergrad classes to truly challenge my critical thinking and analytical skills.”
In addition, he gives thanks to Dr. Peter Ochieng, Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology, for providing valuable employment advice and being relatable as a migrant.
He also appreciates the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration for encouraging him to read more research articles, which has helped him digest and synthesize complex data and information.
Being a student-athlete, Antoni understands that it takes a team effort and mentorship to create positive change.
He said, “I want to thank Tommy Badon, Head Coach of the Track & Field Team. He is the main reason that I am here as he took a chance on me and allowed me to actualize my goals of completing my degree and seeing my athletic career all the way to the end. Coach Badon is not only concerned with athletic development on the track, but he is also legitimately invested in your overall growth as a person.”
Working towards greatness
Antoni is inspired by his parent's careers and Professor Chauvin's guidance to explore the hospitality management industry.
“Catherine Chauvin in the Department of Management also provided detailed insight into the hospitality industry, how I should go about securing internships with hotels and underscoring that the hotel management business is one of the most international and connected industries, so developing a connection with a chain like Hilton in Lafayette, would open avenues to hotels all over the world.”
He also shared how Operations Management introduced the concept of a GANTT chart, a visual tool used to display the timeline and duration of a particular project.
“This skill actually came into use a few months after the class had concluded, as my father (who is a restaurant manager) needed a way to effectively display a roster that included vacation time. I used this opportunity to introduce him to a GANTT chart, which worked perfectly for the task,” Antoni said.
His current career interests vary from hospitality management, sports marketing, and athletic director. He hopes to gain immediate managerial experience to explore his options.
When asked what advice Antoni had for international students, he shared,
“I would say don’t suffer in silence," he said. "If you are struggling with class, utilize a professor’s office hours or get a tutor. If you are struggling mentally, speak with someone at the Saucier Wellness Center. If you need a ride to go grocery shopping or just want to try something new, ask a friend. People are more willing to help than you think.
"My American friends are also some of the most genuine people I have met in my life and have made the experience 100 times better," he said. "People are always willing to offer rides, go try new restaurants and take trips all over the city so I feel very welcome at home in Lafayette honestly.”
Learn more about UL Lafayette's MBA program.
