One Road, Many Paths

In Spring 2008, 17-year-old Ricky J. Marc received a rejection letter from the University of Central Florida. For many, this moment would mark a dead end. For Ricky, it was the spark that ignited an extraordinary journey. Undeterred, he sought a different path, enrolling at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBAU), where his passion for public service began to flourish.

By 2010, as a junior at PBAU, he found himself walking the halls of the District 84 office of Florida State Representative Mack Bernard as an Executive Intern. This opportunity set the stage for what would become a career rooted in civic engagement.

In 2012, Ricky graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Communications. Soon after, he joined the office of newly-elected State Representative Bobby Powell, serving as Junior District Secretary for House District 88. Little did he know, this was just the beginning.

In 2013, law school admissions brought another wave of rejections. Undeterred once again, Ricky pressed forward, beginning his legal studies at St. Thomas University School of Law. By 2014, he had enrolled in a dual-degree program to pursue a Master of Business Administration in Sports Administration alongside his Juris Doctor.

That same year, his excellence in the classroom was recognized with the CALI Award for Sports Law, a distinction given to the highest-performing student in a course. 

Outside the classroom, Ricky gained hands-on experience through an internship with the Miami HEAT’s Business Communications Department, contributing articles to TIPOFF Magazine. Then, as fate would have it, something extraordinary happened.

In December 2015, Ricky received an invitation to join the White House Internship Program under President Barack Obama.

Serving in the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, Ricky coordinated opportunities for dialogue between the Obama Administration and communities across the nation. The experience was transformative, opening his eyes to the power of public service on a global scale.

But his story didn’t end there. In the summer of 2016, Ricky embarked on a new chapter, joining Cornell Law School’s Paris Summer Institute at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. 

Paris would become a second home, providing him with an international lens and a deep appreciation for global law and policy. His studies in the City of Light continued for two more summers, shaping him into the globally-minded professional he is today.

By 2017, with three summers in Paris under his belt, Ricky could see the finish line. He completed his Juris Doctor and Master of Science in Sports Administration, marking a major milestone in his academic career. 

Yet, his commitment to service called him back to where it all began: the District Office of Senator Bobby Powell. As a Legislative Aide, he helped shape legislative communication and advanced meaningful policies for the community he cherished.

Now, Ricky is in pursuit of even greater heights. With a Ph.D. in International Relations and Diplomacy and an LL.M. in International Law from the University of Miami on the horizon, he continues to expand his academic and professional horizons. 

His global impact is evident through his leadership at Marc-Vincent Global, his work as a Teaching Assistant at the American Graduate School in Paris, and his dedication to translation and human rights advocacy.

Fluent in English and growing in his proficiency in French, Ricky bridges cultures and communities through his work, spanning media production, international law, and civic engagement.

Amazingly, Ricky’s journey began with what many view as an ending—a rejection letter in 2008. But rejection, as Ricky’s story proves, is often the prelude to transformation. What started as a closed door became a gateway to opportunities beyond his wildest dreams.

From the halls of the Florida Legislature to the White House, from Miami to Paris, Ricky’s life is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of perseverance. The future remains unwritten, but one thing is certain: the best chapters are yet to come.