Watching television the other night, I learned that Brenda Walsh is now moonlighting as a medical technician. Or was it a crime scene investigator? Either way she was wearing a white coat and glasses and it seems she’s come a long way from The Peach Pit.
These days Shannon Doherty is hawking a website called the Education Connection, which for a fee, will tell you which one of the thousands of on-line degree programs available on the internet, best suits you. As New Yorkers, we are bombarded daily with the aggressive ad campaigns that on-line universities have taken to the subways and buses. It’s a smart way to catch the attention of millions commuting to work, who more likely than not, feel some sort of dissatisfaction with their current employment. Hopefully Doherty will not match the degree hopefuls with the schools that Garvin of Brooklyn or Nicolle of Queens chose.
Coming Soon to a Classroom Near You!
Ever wonder what a successful attorney does with his down time? Model turned mogul, Christopher Riano, CEO of The Riano Group LLC. lends his expertise to his alma mater. Fiercely passionate about Columbia University, Constitutional Law, and higher education in general, Mr. Riano has created a unique course being offered this summer that delves into the intricacies of how Constitutional Law unfolds daily on college campuses across the nation. It can often seem like institutions of higher education are above the law. Any enterprise that supports such a dense group of informed minds can appear to have all the answers. Upon closer examination, most universities are profoundly and actively entangled in some of the most controversial aspects of the American Constitution.
On behalf of The Riano Group, I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year for 2012! We look forward to continuing to work with each of you in the year to come!
All the best to you and yours!
Christopher R. Riano
Last week marked the 26th conference in social research at The New School and the topic at hand was the future of higher education, both in the United States and abroad. At the opening of the conference the keynote panelists were asked to to discuss their opinions of what universities might look like in 20 to 30 years. The atmosphere was charged and the audience was spiked with student protesters who had come to speak out against CUNY Chancellor, Matthew Goldstein, regarding the recent increases in tuition at CUNY.
Building this company has been an experience from the start, and I am nothing short of greatful to everyone who has been supportive from the start. These first three months have been exciting, and the company has now grown to include others who are dedicated to the support and success of our vision.
There comes a point, however, when it becomes important to turn over a new leaf. I am thrilled to announce that The Riano Group's Research and Writing Associate will be taking over the content of the blog, writing insight and commentary on work related to The Riano Group and our clients. I could not be more excited to turn this responsibility over to someone I have known since my time as a student at Columbia University. Look forward to many more postings than I could ever do myself, as I must focus my efforts on supporting our growing client base and looking at new ways to grow the company.
I wish everyone a wonderful Holiday Season, and again thank you very much for the support as we have gotten off the ground!
Owning a company is like having a child. As the child grows up, you begin to notice that things change in ways that you cannot anticipate. At the same time, you still love your kids and you will always do what is necessary to help them continue to grow strong and mature.
When I first started The Riano Group, I was especially excited to be able to translate my personal experience in higher education to the broader world. I have always believed that colleges and universities are an equalizing force in society, and provide tools to people that allow them to become more highly productive members of society. At the same time, higher education opens doors to new fields for many, allowing them to find their passion much as I have found mine.
I have found, however, that the demand for our services has in some ways split between two lines. The work we continue to do for the world of higher education is not only exciting, but different than even I expected. The new challenges that have come my way continue to make me think, and at time scratch my head to come up with new ideas and ways to approach uncommon problems.
At the same time, there has been an almost organic demand from a new class of clients that I did not anticipate, but am finding just as exciting. We have been working with especially select clients, providing unique legal counsel to individuals and groups who require demanding and strategic insight. This client list continues to grow, and I have begun to think of it as a second piece of The Riano Group puzzle. I continue to be excited to see how this part of The Riano Group will grow.
I believe the next step will involve turning some of my attention to public relations, media, and the development of a real strategy to get The Riano Group better known beyond my network of friends and clients. This is not my specialty, but I am excited to see how this may foster us growing even larger. Some real human resource work may be in the cards soon, so stay tuned...
It is amazing, and scary, to think that I have already passed the one month mark of owning my own practice. I wish I had been able to update my blog more often, but honestly having your own company takes a lot more time than I expected. Finally during this last trip I had some time on the airplane to write an update!
When I first stared on this journey, I had expected that it would take me at least a year to find a solid first client or two. I had no idea that things would start off as well as they have. I am truly blessed to already have many clients, from across the globe, that have me already thinking about expanding my initial expectations of what I want to do. I must thank everyone I know for not only being supportive, but for going above and beyond in helping me get off the ground. At 27 I already have a successful law practice, with a global reach, and I can only expect that things will continue to grow from here. With the legal market in flux, and firms closing their doors, it is a blessing to be able to say that I can barely keep up with the demand thus far. The rent is paid and the lights are on, who can complain about that only a month after opening?
Even more exciting, it looks like I will be an adjunct professor at Columbia University starting in the summer of 2012. To think that less than ten years ago I only began as a student there I cannot believe that I have come full circle. From student, to Senator, to Chairman, to still-Chairman, and now Adjunct Professor... the journey of life is one of unexpected turns.
I have noticed that people constantly ask what a "Higher Education" lawyer does. I still have not come up with the perfect answer. Looking at the work we are doing for clients, we are basically covering everything that happens at a College. From endowment strategy, external marketing campaigns, and presidential legacy planning if it happens at a school we basically help do it better. In a way, we are a mix between a traditional law firm and a consulting practice. It is a hybrid that allows us to offer more for less to our clients.
There was a time when I questioned my decision to forgo the offer for my dream job and instead set off on this path, and many people said it was the wrong decision for me to turn down big-law jobs in this market. Honestly, I cannot think of things unfolding any other way than they have.
It has been an amazing first five days at the helm of my own practice. From Virginia, to DC, and now NYC I am quickly using all of the blood, sweat, and tears I have put into myself in order to make a difference. I was reminded this past week how even very disparate fields of my work actually have much more in common than I expected. The seeming lack of commonality between the world of fashion and the world of higher education has yielded to the reality that they have much more in common than I thought. I am thrilled to explore these new opportunities.
I am looking forward to my first speaking engagement since starting my firm, which will be this weekend at Columbia University. As the Chairman of the Board of Visitors for the University Senate's Student Affairs Committee, I make it a priority to guide and mentor our next generation of leaders at Columbia. I cherish my position above almost all others that I hold, and I am very excited to have the opportunity to speak with old and new Senators alike. Furthermore, I could not be more thrilled to move back home to New York City. While a long process, I truly feel that by starting my practice in both DC and NYC I will be able to have an even greater impact with the work I am doing.
In the first five days I have found myself signing clients, booking speaking engagements, getting the business organized, and already I am thinking about expanding.
The last time I moved to NY was on an Amtrak with a suitcase to "pound the pavement" and find my dream as a model. This time, I am moving back as an Attorney who has found his dream of being someone who can make a global impact in today's society.
Welcome to my first blog entry here on our corporate website. I am looking forward to sharing commentary and insight on current events within higher education. I expect these musings to be a mix of thoughts on current events, legal decisions, and my experiences as I transition from being a law clerk to being an attorney who is blessed to have the opportunity to follow his dream.
I believe that while people across the globe attend various types of post-secondary institutions, few understand the truly complex nature of a college or university. I hope to be able to take the time to explain what I hear and see as I travel and assist various institutions follow their individual education missions. I am pleased you have chosen to join me on this adventure.
I have been at the helm of my own practice for less than a week now, and I am already reminded of how interesting, and important, higher education is. As I type this entry from the lobby of my law school, I remember that institutions are hardly as stoic or as static as they seem. I was privileged to have spent today speaking with friends and colleagues on my old stomping grounds. I sit here reminded of how human institutions are. In turn, I remember how important it is that institutions remain committed to the innate human character of their service.
There is no longer an average university student. Nor is there an average path to a successful career. I am confident that my own “non-traditional” path will prove to be an asset as I venture out over these next few weeks.
Welcome to The Riano Group Blog! Check back often for insights into higher education!
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