By Alicia Jacobs, Excelsior Life News Staff

By day, Roberto Figueroa II is executive director of Admissions at Excelsior College. But by night, Figueroa could be anyone, even a superhero. If the script calls for it, that is.

That’s because Figueroa, a father of three, is an actor and an accomplished one at that – even if it is a bit more challenging these days since becoming a father and breaking into the higher education field.

“I have always loved acting and pursuing that field,” said Figueroa, who hopes to audition for his local theatre company in Orange County, New York. “But the marketing and organizational skills I developed as an actor have certainly helped propel me throughout my business career.”

When asked how and why he first got involved in acting, Figueroa didn’t hesitate. “It was during my senior year at SUNY Cortland. I changed my major and took a year off. Later, I transferred to SUNY New Paltz and finished my degree in acting there. I've always wanted to act, but I was completely too shy to say or do anything that could lead to embarrassment. Now, it's just who I am.”

Since becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), a career highlight for him, Figueroa has donned the red tights of Spider-Man for marketing appearances on behalf of Marvel and appeared in commercials for McDonald’s, Lowes and Budweiser. This past summer he even worked “Comic Con” in New York City.

Beyond acting, Figueroa loves to read and write, even composing a number of theatrical plays. He is also working on a children’s book.

“At least in the end my kids will have something from me that will last a life time, said Figueroa. “Whatever your passion is, find a way to work it in your schedule.”