Meet Our Students & Alumni

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Nicholas Trunfio immersed himself in history while studying abroad.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Army veteran and business major Brendon Aylaian is working on a solar energy project in Haiti for his Honors College capstone.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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