Though he often goes without recognition, Dylan Alves plays an extremely important role in Lasell’s daily operations. As Assistant Director of Events and Auxiliary Services, Alves serves as a connection between the university, community members who plan events, and external partners.
“[I help manage] any of the school’s external clients that come onto campus for company events. During the summer, we’ll have camps that come onto campus,” said Alves. “We basically oversee that, plus anybody that wants things from Chartwells, we’ll assist. We’re the bridge to everything—the point person.”
Before becoming an essential member of Lasell’s professional team, Alves gathered his vast knowledge of the ins and outs of campus life during his time as a Laser himself. Graduating in 2021, Alves majored in fashion design and production, and dedicated time to student organizations including Campus Activities Board (CAB) and LU PRIDE, which proved to be very similar to the event management duties he currently fulfills.
“I would say it’s very parallel,” said Alves. “It definitely assisted me on many things, because with Beatriz in the director role, she was fresh and new to everything.”
Alves recalled instances in which he was able to apply knowledge he had gained as a student leader to now coordinating campus events and auxiliary services with Beatriz Panza, director of conference and event services.
“I’ve kind of been the foundation in some ways to assist with everything because, obviously, we work very close together,” said Alves. “If Beatriz says, ‘Oh, I’ve never done this. Dylan, you’ve been here. How did they do it?’ So I’m giving that backstory to everything, and being like, ‘Okay, this might help you on a project where we have to do something new.’”
After transferring from Mount Ida College in 2018, Alves began implementing programming that remains popular among Lasell students today. As CAB’s Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, Alves organized Lasell’s first annual Drag Show, in which he performed as the drag queen Mercedes Benzover.
Alves found the inspiration to pursue drag after watching “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and has been developing the persona of Mercedes Benzover ever since. Drawing from his own experience, as well as the advice he had received from others in the field, Alves advises other aspiring drag performers to thoroughly evaluate their passions and goals before diving into the art form.
“Definitely take time figuring out what you want to do in drag and what the reason is for doing drag,” said Alves. “There was a well-known queen from Boston who told me exactly that and went, ‘Why are you doing this? Are you doing this for fame? Are you doing this because you love the art of it?’ Then that will be the foundation to it all, and get you in the right direction to what you want to do.”
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