Meet Our Students & Alumni

Mike McCone parlayed a co-op job and internship at TJX Companies into a full-time allocation analyst position with the Fortune 100 retailer.

Justin Baez Peguero is studying business, working three jobs and serving in student government.

Gianna Geraci ’23 was destined to study accounting at UMass Lowell.

Roma Aurora has become a strong and valued presence on campus, from her roles as president of both the Manning Leaders Council and Marketing Society, to her ambassador work for both international students and student alumni, to her participation in the DifferenceMaker Program.

Mike Carpenter ’97 is busier than ever after retiring from a successful network security sales career.

Business administration major Melanie Sunnerberg has a passion for finance that she’s honed through a co-op experience at MFS Investment Management and her leadership roles in student organizations.

Biar Kon grew up in refugee camps in Kenya. Now he gives back to the city’s refugee community through his work with the International Institute of New England.

Business major Raj Aurora jumped right from school to a digital marketing campaign manager job at Data Axle.

Maddie Gear’s favorable first impression of UML steered her to a marketing co-op position at CarGurus.

During her six-month sales operations co-op at Kronos, business administration major Chanelle Cruz developed her Salesforce CRM problem-solving skills.

After a globetrotting career in IT, Amos Kungu of Kenya is setting his sights on starting his own company. He's working on a master’s degree in entrepreneurship — while working full time and raising a family.

Just as she does in the high jump, junior business major Danielle Poublon reached new heights during her operations management co-op at Raytheon.

By participating in the virtual UML Launch! Summer Program, Khadija Mir felt better prepared to begin college remotely during the pandemic.

Gerry Siracusa is combining his degree in exercise science with an MBA, which will help him open his own physical therapy practice someday.

Jonathan Geanakos’ commercial real estate career got an assist from his lacrosse coach at UML.

Affordability drew Sarah Curley to UML, but her experience led to a wealth of opportunities and set her up for an accounting career.

Business student Shaymus Dunn got hands-on accounting experience – and an unexpected visit to the NASDAQ stock exchange – during his summer internship at EverQuote.

Masakazu Hasegawa earned an MBA online through UML's partnership with Abitus, an executive education firm based in Tokyo.

Catherine de Groot enjoys using her marketing skills to help nonprofits in Lowell.

A lost internship during the pandemic led David Levine to a promising career path at accounting firm LGA.

In addition to his day job as a finance manager, Manning School of Business alumnus Robert Leonard ’16, ’18 hosts the “Millennial Investing” podcast, runs his own real estate investment firm and is about to launch an interactive online platform for real estate investors.

As a technical program manager with the U.S. Navy, Mike Taskoski had his pick of MBA programs. He chose UMass Lowell based on the reputation of its online program.

Coming from a family of small business owners, entrepreneurship is Gianni Falzone's blood. To develop on his Bachelor's degree, he is pursuing a Master of Science in Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship.

Andrew Whitcomb is representing 75,000-plus UMass students on the state Board of Higher Education — while working as a digital marketing co-op at Keurig Dr. Pepper.

Through the Manning School’s Business and Entrepreneur Scholars in Training program, Abby McNulty developed a case study analysis of the Columbia Gas explosions.

Mya Neary won an honors fellowship to learn more about running an urban farming nonprofit. Now she’s volunteering with Mill City Grows while developing her own business plan.

Laid off from his job, Matt Zablocki used the setback as an opportunity to return to UMass Lowell and complete his undergraduate degree in business administration.

Mina Lam added “Japanese Student Association founder” to her already busy schedule.

Davood Dashti’s love of photography helped him transition from home in Iran to college life in the United States. Now, the Manning School of Business student is focused on a professional photography career.

Ryan Jubb applies his management education to his work as a student EMT and his hobby of flying planes.

As an accounting co-op at iRobot, business administration major Kelly Dankese of Wilmington discovered a symbiotic relationship between what she learned in the classroom and the work she was doing for the Bedford-based tech company.

Transfer business student Julia Marino discovered a passion for sales at UML.

As she begins her career at Fidelity, Yeaharne Hout sees how transformative her UML experience has been.

From Fox Hall to your flat screen TV! Taniya Nayak can trace her interest in interior design to her days at UMass Lowell.

A born extrovert, business major Angel Molekunnel is seizing every opportunity that she can at UML.

Drawn to UML by the DifferenceMaker program, business major Cameron Famiglietti is now paid to help market it.

Accounting student Victor Souza knew all about hard work when he arrived at UMass Lowell. His focus was on getting involved during his undergraduate career — while also gaining valuable professional experience through internships.

After a life-changing health scare, Sean Flaherty recommitted himself to academics. He graduated from the Manning School of Business with a perfect 4.0 GPA and landed his “dream job” at a water sustainability company in New York.

Benjamin McEvoy has been racking up wins as a DifferenceMaker competitor with partner Edward Morante and their idea for an inclusive combination of baseball and cricket, Benji Ball.

Business student Kelly Michael Skelton plans to earn his undergraduate and MBA degrees in just four years – and with zero debt – while juggling multiple jobs and extracurricular activities.

Kristin Kihara started her own digital magazine, Black, highlighting creators who “aren’t really seen.”

A Fulbright Scholar from Chile, Cintya Gajardo Véjar is driven to improve the lives of others.

Manning School of Business grad Emily Lara ’20 has been California dreamin’ for some time. Now her dream is coming true.

Drew Epperson ’21 landed a two-year player development trainee internship with the Kansas City Royals.

As founding executive director of Get Girls Going, a nonprofit that inspires Black teenage girls to become entrepreneurs, Nana Younge ’18 is applying the skills she learned as a business student — while doing work that gives her a sense of purpose.

Laura Brushingam, a finance student and member of the UML field hockey team, landed a summer internship with Krispy Kreme, where she helped the company prepare for its IPO and presented her work to senior leadership.

Inspired by his mother’s careers in health care and business, Emmanuel Idehen-Ovabor is working toward a master’s in health care administration while also pursuing his dream of becoming a pediatrician.

Graduate student Ryan Cormier is enjoying one extra year on campus before joining the workforce.

Neeti Kothari left a job at Big Four accounting firm Deloitte in her native India to pursue a Master of Science in business analytics at UMass Lowell. Despite the pandemic, she landed a summer internship at software company PTC in Boston.

A staff accountant internship at Novogradac confirmed business major Heer Patel’s interest in auditing.

Once unsure if she would physically be able to get through college, Meaghan O’Brien landed a director position at the Lowell Regional Transit Authority while wrapping up an MBA.

Finance student Carson Tully built on his passion for real estate at UML, serving as president of the Real Estate Network Association.

UMass Lowell was love at first sight for business major Tan Nhat Nuynh, a native of Vietnam, who is making the most of his opportunities in and out of the classroom.

Katie Sanchez ’20 is a step closer to her goal of becoming a chartered financial analyst after being accepted into Boston Scientific’s financial leadership development program.

A born entrepreneur who was tuning up old lawn mowers and selling them online at the age of 6, Louis Cirignano made the most of his opportunities at UMass Lowell. He’s using his degree in business administration to launch a financial management app that he developed through the DifferenceMaker program.

Twisha Mohapatra says her experiences in the River Hawk Scholars Academy and the Honors College have boosted her confidence, taught her leadership skills and set her up for academic success.

After living through civil war in her native Ivory Coast, Senior Class President Anna Kouadio is grateful for her opportunities at UML.

UML men’s lacrosse player Khairi Sears shines on the world stage with Team Jamaica – and on campus.

Software engineer Rupal Trivedi returned to her college roots when the time came to get an MBA.

Nicholas Trunfio immersed himself in history while studying abroad.

Kadeem Davis stepped out of his comfort zone to start the Black Student Union. He’s learned a lot about leadership and building an organization—and about the diverse interests of black students on campus.

So far, Honors College student Nancy Chac has signed up for three honors classes every semester. It could be a record.

Christine Vaudo returned to school after a long gap to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Manning School of Business and then decided to pursue her master’s degree in business analytics.

Studying abroad in London convinced business student Emoni Baffour ’18 to return to the UK for graduate school and pursue her passion for a career in the fashion industry.

Whether it’s working to improve campus life as Student Government Association president or responding to an emergency call as a student EMT, David Morton has dedicated himself to making UML a better place.

Carla Gonzalez Hidalgo is a full-time student and her family’s sole support. Yet she finds time to volunteer for causes she believes in.

Rafal Thaher brings a unique international perspective to her coursework in the Manning School of Business. After fleeing war-torn Iraq with her family in 2005, she has spent the last two decades pursuing her passion for entrepreneurship.

As a merchandising co-op for TJX in Framingham, senior business administration major Hayley Buonodono of Amesbury took a giant step toward her career goal of working as a buyer in the retail industry.

After making his mark at UML as Student Government Association president, Manning School of Business senior Andre DiFilippo is excited to get started on a sales career.

Toronto native Frank Stegnar excelled in the classroom and on the ice as an undergrad at UMass Lowell, so he chose to get his MBA online from the Manning School of Business.

Jeurys Santiago credits his entrepreneurship classes and experiences with helping him launch his networking and marketing company, Minds With Purpose.

By constantly building his network, Dennis Patel ’19 ’20 made the most of his undergraduate and graduate education — and landed a global supply chain analyst co-op job at Lockheed Martin.

With a dissertation on social media’s role in the entrepreneurial process, Thailand’s Atthaphon Mumi became the first graduate of the Manning School of Business’ Ph.D. in entrepreneurship program.

Honors business student and MLK award-winner Beatriz Martins has learned the value of resilience.

Ever since moving to Lowell from the Philippines with his mom as a child, Andre Ragel has embraced a sink-or-swim attitude – one that carried the business administration major through a busy first year on campus.

Honors College student Jennifer Dossantos is majoring in business because she’s inspired by her mom.

Inspired by Assoc. Teaching Prof. Deborah Finch, Adam Basma published his first novel for his senior Honors College project.

Business administration major Josiah Gennell loves music and gaming. He hopes that by becoming an information technology consultant, he’ll have the flexibility to pursue those interests and turn them into a career.

Through her coursework, business student Kanya Derisme gained the skills and knowledge needed for a career in digital marketing. Through her leadership roles in student organizations, she learned something about herself.

Jenny Lerman hit reset during the pandemic, transferred home to UML and earned a business degree.

Army Rangers veteran Brendon Aylaian is working as a financial specialist for the Air Force.

Medi Woldemichael plans to use her business degree to grow her family’s coffee export business in Ethiopia.

Kellsie Howard has managed to achieve a lot in her first two years in the Manning School of Business, including organizing a DECA competition, starting two clubs and working as a co-op at Putnam Investments.

Nicholas Salerno came to UML for a business degree, but an architectural studies minor allowed him to broaden his horizons.

The Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell helped Manning School of Business student Sopheak Mean discover a path to college. Through his part-time work at the nonprofit organization, Mean is helping kids like himself from Lowell who may need guidance and mentorship.

Working as a client services and relationship management co-op at MFS Investment Management debunked a lot of assumptions business major Kristen Reardon had about the financial industry.

Prabakar Adithya’s early interest in finance developed into an appreciation for accounting and its impact on organizations.

Big ambitions, combined with practical thinking, led Jessica Tran to UMass Lowell.

Nisarg Jhaveri is learning all about global supply chain operations — and how to work remotely with colleagues in far-flung locations — in his summer internship with Dell Technologies.

A deep-rooted desire for financial independence drives everything that Linda Barg does.

A social media marketing co-op at financial firm MFS taught Nicole Resendes what goes into running corporate accounts.

Nicole Hayek came to the Manning School of Business to prepare for a career in marketing. Along the way, she's been able to fulfill her passion for music.

The Honors Program at Middlesex Community College helped Andrea Patino Galindo master English – and transfer to the Honors College at UMass Lowell.

Immersive Scholar Jack Barron is sharpening his marketing skills with the Office of the Provost.

Business student Nadine Chamoun stepped out of her comfort zone for an IT internship. And she’s glad she did.

Maddy Roop transferred to UMass Lowell as a business student looking to launch a music career. But along the way she’s become president of the Student Society for Sustainability.

Tom Stranberg rounded out his business degree with co-ops at the Boston Federal Reserve and Wayfair.

A series of mentors helped Cleidir Mendes thrive at UML — and land a job at Fidelity Investments.

Transfer student Kristina Boni got her bearings in community college and is now reaching for the stars after an internship at NASA.

Olivia Hebert discovered a passion for corporate real estate at UMass Lowell.

Business administration major Keviana-Joy George transformed from a shy transfer student to an outgoing student leader who is on track for a career in human resources.

Thanks to her co-op and internship experiences at Kronos, business administration major Maylis Brito has broadened her career options beyond her concentration in finance.

Matt Murphy quit vaping after a two-year addiction. Now he speaks out against teen vaping every chance he gets.

University Alumni Award recipient Darlene Steffen ’76 helped endow a scholarship for first-gen business students.

Already on track for a successful marketing career in Pakistan, Moiz Khan has shifted gears to pursue a master’s in business analytics from the Manning School of Business.

Class of 2024 Vice President Jason McKeon has made the most of every minute at UML.