Question 1: Since graduating, what has your career path looked like? 
Michelle Gonzales: I took an administrative role in the hospitality industry right out of college--at The Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia. It was a support role for some leadership members of the hotel but it also involved a lot of connection with the community; social media & review site management, in-house collateral creation. I quickly learned that those responsibilities excited me the most. After some time, I was promoted to Marketing Coordinator for the hotel, which allowed me to focus on these responsibilities and add some more; website management, digital marketing, ad creation, budget analysis. Ironically, COVID hit about a year into that role. It was time for Mike (former Monmouth Hawk wide receiver Mike Strange) and I to go to Maryland so he could be successful in his job and I could find a new and exciting challenge. The new home construction industry only prospered, so here I am, doing the same things but in a new and exciting industry. 

Q2 What is your favorite part of your currently position? 
MG: I love the creativity it allows and the rewards it brings. Creating collateral for our communities and getting to see them find their dream homes is really exciting.

Q3 How did attending Monmouth help prepare you for success in your field? 
MG: My Public Relations and Journalism classes made me a more concise writer and taught me the importance of effective communication. As a student worker in the Athletic Communications Department, I gained a solid foundation of multimedia and creation. 

Q4 When was the last time you were back at campus? What did you do? 
MG: I believe it was to watch my former teammates play in their senior day game. It's funny, when you enter the workforce you forget that Monmouth goes on without you. It was surreal.

Q5 What was your favorite game as a member of the Hawks?  
MG: That is tough. It is a tie between our Rutgers overtime win my Junior year or winning MAAC semifinals that same year. Both were huge for the program.

Q6 Do you keep in touch with your teammates or coaches still? 
MG: It is so difficult but I do my best! I am actually in Nicole Duca's wedding this September. What I can say is, when we do get together it feels like nothing has changed.

Q7 Are you involved with lacrosse at all still? 
MG: I have done some part-time coaching for South Jersey Select and some training for Cherokee High School and LockedIn Lacrosse.  I will always feel a responsibility for helping grow the game, especially in South Jersey.

Q8 Did you have a class or activity away from lacrosse at Monmouth that you can look back fondly on?
MG: My student work study job in the Athletic Communications office of course. It was a part-time job but I enjoyed learning and growing outside of just school and lacrosse. I was honored to be part of the ESPN3 partnership and to learn as much as I did. Unrelated, but I will always look back on homecoming football games fondly. It was one of the few times each year when old and new worlds collide and you can catch up with friends and family.

Q9 If you could tell "freshman Michelle" one thing, what would it be?
MG: Don't take one minute of the next four years for granted. You will never again get to be with these amazing people every day, nor play lacrosse at this level. Work hard and enjoy every second.

Gonzales appeared in 63 games for the Hawks on attack, starting in 52 of them. She captained the team that made Monmouth's only appearance in a MAAC Championship game and finished her career with 49 goals and 43 assists. Twice in her career she had four assists in a game and currently ranks in the top-15 all-time in career assists. She was a member of the 2015 MAAC All-Tournament team.