Patrick Ledesma once took the MCAT in the Intercultural Center on the Hilltop with dreams of going to medical school. While he never became a physician, Ledesma’s brief time on the Hilltop many years ago may have foreshadowed his future career supporting students and building community at Georgetown.
Ledesma, director of the Center for Student Engagement, first got involved in student affairs as an undergraduate student at George Washington University (GW), where he worked for its student center, helping run orientation and other activities. 
He stayed in DC to earn his Master of Public Health after college. While studying, he managed the only public bowling alley in Washington, DC, at the time, the Hippodrome at GW, where he rediscovered his passion for working with students.
“It really got me going with, Wow, I could really do this. I think I worked well with students, student organizations and event planning,” Ledesma said. “I’m going to continue this.”
Working in student affairs may have started as a side job tied to his graduate fellowship, but it quickly turned into a calling.
Ledesma came to Georgetown in 2014, tasked with overseeing the launch of the Healey Family Student Center (HFSC) at the heart of student life on the Hilltop Campus. Since then, he’s worked in Facilities Management and helped run operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, he advises student organizations, supports co-curricular life and oversees events that shape the Georgetown experience. He works with all types of student clubs on their events, from Rangila with the South Asian Society to concerts put on by a cappella groups and more.
Learn more about Ledesma, how he’s accrued a collection of Disney-themed marathon medals and how he pioneered the iconic Presidents Race in Nationals Park as Teddy Roosevelt.
My foray into student engagement: I was an assistant director at American University, working in their student center in operations. I advised some student organizations and worked on a lot of events, including working with lots of bands. I got to meet former President Obama, Ted Kennedy and the Dalai Lama at events because event planning was my expertise. Then I took my first director position at George Mason University, where I worked in event management, which was also a fun time.
How I got started at Georgetown: I’ve always wanted to come and work for Georgetown. I’ve wanted to be part of the community ever since high school. Blue and gray are just things I’ve always appreciated, and I’ve always wanted to be a part of it. I didn’t have that chance, but I stayed in DC and made my rounds. When a position opened up and I saw that there was something I knew I could do, I jumped on it.
My first project building HFSC: I wanted to continue to work closely with students to build spaces where people could relax, feel like they’re at home, study, go to an event. [HFSC] is their home away from home, and we want to provide that community for them to be able to find places to go, places to be safe and just to gather with one another.
What gets me out of bed every day: It’s not just the students but the pro staff I work with. I show up for them every day. It’s important for me to be there for them, whether it’s to help answer their questions, support them or if it’s to bake them a birthday cake so they feel that somebody appreciates them.
Why I love working with students: I love doing this because this isn’t just for the four years that you’re here. It becomes part of who you are. I’ve had many students who have gotten married to each other. Some of them here. We’ve even had receptions before in the HFSC during the summer.
My favorite moment on campus: When we won the [NCAA] soccer national championship in 2019, we hosted a big viewing party in the HFSC Great Room, and I think there were like 800 students there. When we kicked the game-winning goal, the HFSC was shaking. They did the Seven Nation Army, people were jumping up and down. It was my favorite moment here on campus to see that and be able to celebrate them in the HFSC.
My dream bakery: I would love to open up my own bakery and coffee shop here in DC or anywhere. I’ve liked to bake all my life, but during COVID, I honed my skills. Everyone was making sourdough bread. I hate making sourdough bread, so I started making lots of different desserts and doctoring my favorite recipes to the way that I would want them. Being from New York, I love Italian baking in particular, so I make a lot of tiramisu and cannolis, but I will never make cannoli shells again — that was difficult. 
What I love about baking: There are two reasons why I love baking. One, I love food and sweets, but especially sweets. There are days when I would love a cannoli but can’t find one around here, so I have to make it myself. Two, a lot of the work I do at Georgetown, I feel like, unless it’s an event where you have a tangible end, you plan, do things, make modifications and it continues. With baking it gives me a good start, and I can see the end where I’m going to use this and make somebody’s day happier. The thing that brings me joy is making other people smile. Those are the biggest parts of my life that I appreciate.
How I got roped into racing as Teddy Roosevelt in Nats Park: I was a university mascot, and a person whom I trained eventually became the first Screech the Eagle for the Nationals. Two years later, they introduced the presidents, and he was like, “Hey, I need help.” I said yes, no questions asked. Now it’s a cultural phenomenon. I raced as Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt. I raced as Teddy several times in the first year, and that was when Teddy lost every single race. I apologize, but it added to the lore of Teddy because Teddy didn’t win for the first entire year. They always laughed and said I was the shortest Lincoln because I’m only 5’9, but Teddy was my favorite.
What running means to me: I can clear my mind with each run, replacing any stress with a sense of calm and focus. It pushes me to set goals, work hard and celebrate small victories. Running also reminds me that growth comes from consistency — one step at a time. Also, not many people know this, but I was born with a disability. Overcoming those odds and being able to eventually run a marathon is something that I never thought I could do.
How I collected all my Disney medals: I ran several Disney races in Florida, California and even in France, but it was to prep for the ultimate goal: completing not one, but two Dopey Challenges — four races in four days, totaling 48.6 miles! I’m actually hoping to run another marathon in 2027.
The Disney philosophy that shapes my work: One Disney quote always resonates with me, and I have it hanging in my office: “You can design, create and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.” In my more than 25 years working in higher education, and especially in my 11 years at Georgetown, I’ve cherished my time working with, developing and accompanying many people, because it takes all of us to make the Hilltop a truly remarkable institution here in DC.
