David Zakalik graduated from Cornell University in 2015 with a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science and minors in Education and Horticulture. He maintained a 3.418 GPA and received several honors for his academic and extracurricular achievements. During his time at Cornell, he served as a Resident Advisor and President of the CU Klezmer Ensemble, developing leadership and organizational skills. He has worked in several horticulture and gardening roles, including positions at Lifespan Therapies, Cornell Plantations, and as a freelance gardener, gaining hands-on experience in plant care, maintenance, and client consultation.

1. David Zakalik
Temporary Address Permanent Address
1 Bluegrass Lane 397 Woodbridge Ave.
Ithaca NY 14850 Buffalo, NY 14214
david.zakalik@gmail.com (716)-725-4116 (Mobile)
Education/Honors
Cornell University, Bachelor’s Animal Science May ’15, Minors in Education and Horticulture.
Cumulative GPA 3.418. Dean’s List Fall ‘13–Spring ’15. RA of the Month (campus-wide)
November ’12; Program of the Year (campus-wide); RP Student Service Award ‘13–’14,
Management/Leadership
Resident Advisor in High Rises Community, North Campus. Fall ’12-Spring ’15.
Managed a floor of 47 freshmen, mediated conflicts, organized large- and small-scale programs,
attended to disciplinary matters, promoted communication between facilities staff and students.
CU Klezmer Ensemble, President Fall ’12-Spring ’14.
Organized concerts on-campus and across NYS, recruited undergraduate members and facilitated
learning of an unusual music mode. Submitted SA Finance Commission budgets each semester
for three years. Developed organizational and communicational skills.
Teaching Assistant, Cornell University, Fall ’13. HORT 2010: The Art of Horticulture.
Graded weekly papers and inter-student peer marking in newly-implemented online format.
Advised students on final projects, guest-lectured. Developed lecture style & advising skills.
Work Experience
Gardener, Lifespan Therapies, LLC, Genoa, NY. Spring-Summer ’15.
Maintained 1 business and 3 residential properties 30+ hrs./week; tree work & planting, heavy
weeding; consulted clients on plants suited to locations. Honed discipline, independence.
Student Intern, Cornell Plantations, Ithaca NY. Summer ’14.
Learned principles of design, plant care & ID, IPM. Worked in Herb, Flower, Rock, Bioswale,
Shrub & Azalea Gardens 40 h/wk. Tree work in Arboretum & Conifer Slope.
ResearchApprentice, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo NY. Summer ’13.
Data entry & verification, retrieved literature, weekly quality-control meetings with supervisor.
Greenhouse Grower, Cornell University, Kenneth Post Lab. Fall ’11.
Grew several hundred poinsettias for Christmas sale. Ag worker protection standard training,
applied pesticides, monitored for parasites. Coordinated schedules & duties w/supervisor and
coworkers via indirect contact.
Gardener, Freelance, Buffalo NY, Summer ’11.
Shrub & tree work, planting, weeding, client consultation on plants best suited to locations.
Honed independence and diligence; communication skills.