Apryl Silva ‘05

Apryl Silva ’05 (East Providence High School) graduated from Bryant University in 2009 with a B.S. in Business Management and a minor in Sociology and International Business. “I selected business management as a major because I felt that it would provide endless opportunities,” she says. As a Project Consultant in Sales Operations at MetLife Auto & Home’s corporate office in Warwick, Apryl is part of a team that supports the company’s sales distribution and growth. “Customers can purchase our products any way they want, whether face to face, over the phone, or via the internet,” she says. “We partner with all departments within Sales to streamline operational and administrative processes, reduce compliance and regulatory risks, and represent Sales Distribution on corporate projects and initiatives.”

As a student at Bryant University, Apryl appreciated all the leadership opportunities that were offered to her. She served as Vice President of Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society for business students, and as Vice President of Bryant’s Multicultural Student Union. She also had a rewarding experience as an INROADS intern (http://www.inroads.org). Through INROADS she obtained an internship with MetLife Auto & Home as a sophomore, joining the company full time at graduation. “Throughout my internship, INROADS provided me with invaluable training, experience, and exposure needed to be successful not only during my internship, but also in my career here at MetLife,” she says.

As a Crusader, Apryl took advantage of college visits, after-school tutoring, SAT prep, and career workshops and was a member of the Crusade Advisory Board. In her senior year of high school, she was selected to participate in the NCCEP Youth Leadership Conference in San Francisco, which brings together 30 students from around the world to identify educational barriers facing students from low-income communities. “We presented our findings to conference attendees and developed a written report that was shared with educators and policymakers,” she says. “As an advocate for my school and my community, I felt empowered to be the voice of my peers. This was the chance of a lifetime and the most gratifying moment I had experienced at that point in my life.”

Apryl credits her College Crusade Advisor, Reuben Tillman III, for supporting her accomplishments. “Reuben was much more than an advisor to me,” she says. “He was like a big brother and a great friend. High school was a challenging time in my life. Unlike other advisors, I could always count on Reuben to provide straightforward, honest feedback and tell me when I was wrong. He showed me how to make the best of every situation and inspired me not only to stay on track but to always push myself to the next level. It might sound like a cliché, but Reuben motivated me to dream big and be the best I could be.”

Apryl has found many ways to give back to the Crusade. She has been a mentor in our CAAP program and is a member of the new Crusade Alumni Committee. She is a Junior Achievement volunteer at Coventry High School, a United Way canvasser, and was on this year’s Warwick MetLife Relay for Life planning committee. She also volunteers for Special Olympics and South Providence Neighborhood Ministries. Apryl enjoys crafts, traveling, and camping and is an avid thrill seeker. “I love roller coasters, water sports, and anything that has to do with heights,” she says. “This year I am looking forward to the Hot Air Balloon Festival and a trip to the top of Skylon Tower, which sits 775 feet above Niagara Falls!”