01/06/2026
👋 Meet alumnus Daniel Arroyo Engler! The Class of 2013 graduate majored in law and society with a minor in psychology.
What was the best part of your time at Jefferson?
💙 Alongside my coursework, I was deeply involved in student life as a resident assistant, orientation leader and club president. During the early years of the law and society program, I had opportunities to help shape the major, including collaborating with Program Director Evan Laine and University leadership, participating in mock trials, touring the White House and interning at an LGBTQ+ rights nonprofit. Most importantly, Jefferson helped me find my voice and gave me the confidence to use it.
How did Jefferson prepare you for your career?
🧠 My law and society degree didn’t lead me to law school as I originally planned, but it prepared me just as well. It taught me how to think critically, analyze problems and find practical solutions. The program also taught me how to research and write, skills that helped me earn my master’s degree in higher education and student affairs.
Just as important was my experience outside the classroom. Working as an RA, orientation leader and in student leadership sparked my interest in higher education and shaped how I think about leading teams. Between the academics and hands-on experience, Jefferson taught me that these skills work anywhere. That’s proven true throughout my career in higher education and now in real estate.
What are you doing now?
🏡 I’m chief operating officer for the Metalios Team at Houlihan Lawrence, a real estate firm in Connecticut. My work centers on strategic planning, operational efficiency and organizational development. I help simplify complexity, build scalable systems, train agents and support leadership in making informed, forward-looking decisions. My law and society background informs my approach to problem-solving and systems-level thinking across the business.
What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you?
⚖️ I still read Supreme Court opinions for fun. Despite never attending law school, I follow major cases, track legislation and keep up with political developments, just as others follow sports. Law and society clearly stuck with me.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to our current students?
💬 Leadership, growth and self-discovery don’t just happen in lectures. Take on roles that challenge you, use your voice and engage with faculty invested in your growth. You never know where your career will take you. Jefferson gave me the foundation to adapt, pivot and face a career path I never originally planned.
