Get to know about the ICLA membership through the monthly 20 Questions segment. This month the spotlight turns to Priya Exantus, Towson University's licensing coordinator.

Name: Priya Exantus
Position/Institution: Licensing Coordinator, Towson University
Number of years in your position: 1 month
Alma Mater(s):  University of Marlyand, College Park (BS), Seton Hall University (MBA)
Hometown:  Chatham, NJ

1. Why did you become involved in ICLA? I bring a unique perspective to this role as I transition from a licensee standpoint.  My knowledge of collegiate licensing prior to joining TU was very limited and I felt that ICLA would provide me with a broader scope of the collegeiate licensing industry.

2. How has your involvement with ICLA influenced your career? I have already made some amazing connections and everyone I've talked to is incredibly friendly and willing to answer all of my questions – and I have A LOT!

3. If you could choose one (1) amenity to add to the workplace, what would it be? Nap time.  That 2-3 o'clock hour can be rough!

4. What is the biggest challenge to working in a university environment? There are so many different departments that operate in their own way.  Each one also has their own culture and vibe.  In an order to be a proper ally to all of my colleagues, I have to make sure that I know my audience through and through.  I can't show up to a vegan dinner with a platter of buffalo chicken mac and cheese – for the record, I make the best buffalo chicken mac and cheese.

5. What is the most important skill you have developed in your career? Getting the golden nugget.  When I worked in sales, we learned that if you can find someone's golden nugget, you can land the sale by tailoring your sales pitch to cater to it.  The golden nugget is someone's "why."  I've learned that this applies to way more than just sales.

6. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren't an issue? Travel.  Just waiting on the invention of a teleportation device!  My nephew told me when he was 5, he was working on it…I should probably check in with him on this – he's 12 now.  He should have made some progress by now!

7. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with? As of October 1^st, TU has been using AgoraCX as the online market place where TU faculty, staff and student groups can order branded promotional material.  As I work closely with the software developers, many of the questions I have been getting is how to navigate through the AgoraCX platform.

8. Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate licensing? As a licensee, it was my responsibility to make sure our licensing applications were up to date, report on royalties, and maintain an active presence at some of the local universities.  I found a real interest in the industry and when I saw this job posting, I thought this was a great opportunity to further enhance my career in an industry that I am passionate about.

9. Who has been the most influential person in your career? My husband – before he was even my husband!  We met while we were both doing field marketing for Verizon FiOS.  As one of the newer members of the field team, he was always motivating and encouraging me to put my best foot forward.  In times when I doubted myself, he would always challenge me to try something different to achieve our goals and anyone who knows me knows I never turn down a good challenge.  We still challenge each other now, but it's more along the lines of who can walk farther on their hands.  I know you are wondering and I'm 15 to 0 against him :-).

10. If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time? Travel!

11. Who's your role model? Why? My parents.  They taught me to never settle and to always push for the next big thing.  I love setting goals, crossing them off, and then setting new ones.

12. What's your favorite quote? My mom always told me growing up: "Everything is okay in the end.  If it's not okay, it's not the end."  I always remind myself of this during hard times and it helps to power me through.

13. What is your biggest pet peeve? Drivers who slam on the brakes when the highway curves!  You can just take your foot off the accelerator and your car will slow down. HUMPH!

14. If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning medal a for? Doing embarassing happy dances.  Just ask my husband and daughter, and soon enough my 19 month old son (right now I'm still THE coolest person in the world to him)!  They act like they don't know me in public if something warrants busting out my happy dance, which is often!

15. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the field of collegiate licensing? Best piece of advice I got: My former boss told me "we aren't here to reinvent the wheel – we want to throw hubcaps on it" in reference to presenting new ideas to clients. Advice I'd give: Ask questions.  Licensing encompasses a lot of different departments that are comprimised of different people with different personalities.  Asking questions and getting to know your colleagues can open your eyes in ways you never thought possible.

16. In your opinion, where is collegiate licensing headed in the future? Society will start to have a sense of loyalty and pride deeper than just being a member of the faculty or staff, a student, a parent, or an alum – they will be proud to sport the BRAND!

17. What is your favorite family tradition? Every Christmas, we always open presents one at a time.  We start with the youngest member of the family and work our way up to the eldest until all the gifts have been opened.

18. What are you really good at, but kind of embarrassed that you are good at it? Sleeping!  If left alone, I can sleep for 12-14 hours, but I have two kids and a husband, so I'm lucky if I can get 6 hours of sleep without getting kicked in the face.

19. What percentage of your work-week is spent in your office? Right now, 99%, but I'm sure that will change!

20. What are you most looking forward to at the next ICLA Convention or Winter Symposium? Everyone has a different perspective in their roles even if the ultimate goal of collegiate licensing is relateively the same – grow the licensing program and generate more royalty revenue.  I'm excited to meet with fellow colleagues to hear about their experiences and what has or has not worked for them as I build our licensing program as TU's very first licensing coordinator!

About ICLA: ICLA provides educational and networking opportunities, enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics, and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of collegiate licensing. For more information on ICLA, please visit www.iclanet.com. ICLA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 54^thyear. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.