Most students arrive at the University of Dayton School of Business Administration searching for direction and a place to belong. For alumni Chloe Fields (‘25, marketing with a digital media concentration and minor in communication) and Chase Howell (‘24, marketing with an insight-selling concentration and minors in theology and military science), they found both and discovered something even greater along the way: a lifelong partner.
Although they had noticed each other from across the room in an MIS class, their story truly began at the John D. Mittelstaedt Center for Advising and Business Student Success. Serving as peer advisors placed them side by side in a role centered on listening, guiding, and supporting fellow students. What began as shared shifts evolved into meaningful conversations about faith, purpose, and the kind of impact they hoped to make in the world.
The conversation that changed everything
Their relationship didn’t happen by chance. Like many connections at Dayton, it grew through shared service and intentional presence.
It started before a peer advisor training session. They both arrived early and began talking. When Chloe mentioned she was heading to Mass, Chase recognized something deeper, a shared foundation.
From there, small overlaps became meaningful moments. Their early shifts in the advising center only crossed over for about 15 minutes at a time, but they used those windows intentionally: quick check-ins, stories from their week, conversations about values and life goals.
Others noticed the connection forming. One afternoon, an advisor, Ms. Coleman, pulled Chase aside and asked what he thought of Chloe. Then she offered the encouragement that moved things forward: “Have you ever thought about asking her on a date?”
He had. And on December 14, he did.
Two years later, after graduations and growth, he chose the same date, December 14, to ask an even bigger question. This time, it wasn’t about coffee. It was about forever.
Where values become visible
What drew them together wasn’t just chemistry; it was clarity around what mattered most.
As part of a School of Business Administration exercise, students are asked to reflect and write down their top values. Chloe and Chase decided to do this on their own and compared theirs. The overlap was unmistakable: faith, helping people, servant leadership, family, friends and communication.
“There’s a connection between us because we have those shared values and verbally saying it out loud helped us open up to each other on another level,” said Chloe.
Those values weren’t abstract ideas. They shaped how they showed up on campus on top of being a peer advisor. Chloe provided pro bono consulting services to local nonprofits through Flyer Consulting. Chase served as a Resident Assistant (RA), a member of the ROTC program and was active in Campus Ministry.
“A servant leader ensures that other people are in a better position,” said Chase, “They’re watching out for all their people. In the peer advisor role, you’re given the responsibility to have the knowledge and skills to assist students. Helping them find resources and connect with people.”
As Lead Peer Advisors, they helped cultivate a space where character mattered as much as competence and where leadership was measured by care.
Service that doesn’t end at graduation
Their commitment to serving others continues well after graduation and beyond campus.
Chloe now serves as Marketing and Enrollment Director at CinDay Academy, where students are drawn to her like a magnet. Chase serves in the Army Reserves while completing his Master’s in Theology, with aspirations of starting a K–12 Catholic school.
Their shared value of helping people remains deeply personal. After once encountering someone experiencing homelessness while traveling and realizing they weren’t prepared to help, they made a change. Today, they keep bags in their cars filled with snacks, water, toiletries and other essentials. They are even considering adding resource cards and a prayer card, expanding a simple act of dignity into something intentional and sustaining.
What their story means for Flyers
Chloe and Chase’s story is more than a proposal. It is a reflection of what can happen when students immerse themselves in communities rooted in shared purpose.
Chase offers this perspective: “It might involve self-reflection, but put yourself in the place where people value the same things as you and ask people questions.”
Chloe builds on that thought: “It goes back to upperclassmen wanting to share and help younger students. You always have access to connect with people. As soon as you meet one person, you can be connected to so many different things.”
At Dayton and within the School of Business Administration, connection is not accidental. It is built through everyday service, shared responsibility and a culture that encourages students to lead with values.
Chloe and Chase came to Dayton seeking growth. They found a community that shaped them into servant leaders. And while helping others find their path, they discovered their own — together.
Learn more about the School of Business Administration.