LATROBE, PA — Through the lens of a video camera, Saint Vincent College junior Enelson Jules is seeing a much clearer picture.
But when the digital art and media major first started weighing his postsecondary education options as a senior at Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High School in Tampa, Florida, he wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do. Jules then discovered Saint Vincent College.
“At the time, my plan was to stay home and go to school with my friends,” he recalled, “but I felt as if I needed to try something new.”
During an admissions call with a Saint Vincent faculty member, Jules said he became intrigued by the College and its culture and wanted to learn more. Opting to see the campus in person, Jules ended up having his best college visit and enrolled at SVC in 2023.
Immersed in new surroundings as a freshman at the College, Jules admits that he was initially unsure of himself.
“Saint Vincent is a place where students come to grow and figure themselves out,” he said. “Coming in, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted from college.”
Jules describes himself as being lost during his freshman year at Saint Vincent. But when he committed himself to becoming more involved in the campus community over the years, the College returned the favor.
“Saint Vincent gave me a chance to really express myself,” Jules said. “I appreciate Saint Vincent for all the opportunities provided for me.”
For instance, Jules in June participated in the three-day SVC/Cristo Rey Collaborative Summer Program—also known as Cristo Rey Camp—aimed at providing Cristo Rey students with an up-close and personal experience on the Saint Vincent campus.
Saint Vincent began a partnership with the Cristo Rey Network—a national system of Catholic college preparatory high schools—in 2021. The partnership seeks to support outstanding postsecondary outcomes for highly motivated and well-prepared Cristo Rey alumni, helping to advance the Cristo Rey mission of “transforming urban America one student at a time.”
“This camp allowed me to give back to my high school in a way that not only helped them but helped me,” said Jules, who used his digital art and media talents to capture key moments during the camp and create a highlight video.
“Camp allowed students from different Cristo Rey schools to experience what life is like at the College,” he said. “Through fun activities and serious talks, I got a chance to really connect with some of the students.”
Having been in the same shoes as the visiting Cristo Rey students, Jules noted that he wanted to show them that Saint Vincent College is a place “you can lean on.”
“Cristo Rey always has a place in my heart as they’ve given me the tools to be successful not only in college but in the real world,” he added.
Jules is also a recipient of the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation Scholarship, which is “designed to awaken a hope in Black students who have been impacted and conditioned by impoverished conditions.”
As he continued to spread his wings at Saint Vincent, Jules gained real-world experience during the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp at the College as he worked with the NFL franchise as an intern.
“During this time, I worked as a camera operator to film players during their individual periods,” Jules said. “The experience was one of one as I got to meet players, coaches, and most importantly, the people I worked with. They always pointed me in the right direction and taught me skills that I still use for my work now.”
He credits David Safin, C’00, a digital art and media professor and chair of the Visual Arts and Media Design Department within SVC’s School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, for helping him along the way.
“Professor Safin knew my goal one day was to work with a professional sports team,” Jules said. “I want to thank Saint Vincent again for making my summer one to remember.”
Moving into the fall semester, Safin hosted Eddie Coughlan, C 08, senior director of production and documentary for the Baltimore Ravens, on campus. Coughlan previously attended SVC before leaving to accept a position with the Ravens organization.
“After his presentation, Enelson stayed behind and engaged in conversation with him,” Safin said. “In that moment, he demonstrated an initiative not found in all students. Enelson is equal parts enthusiastic and motivated. He jumps at every opportunity to further his growth in the field, and he does so with a smile.”
