2023 Undergraduate Student Spotlights

Major(s): Economics and Finance with a concentration in environmental economics 

Future Plans: At the Federal Reserve in Washington D.C., where I'll be researching advanced foreign economies.

What made you choose the School of Business and Manhattan University? Its New York City location.

Is there one person, place or thing that inspired you during your time at Manhattan University? Definitely professors Hany Guirguis and Jimena Gonzalez Ramirez, who have been incredible mentors and inspired me to pursue economic research. 

Your advice to an incoming Jasper: Take advantage of everything that the city has to offer. Get involved in research and connect with others who share similar interests. Push and challenge yourself to become the best you can be. Your only limitation is your own mind. 

Major(s): Economics and Management with a minor in Spanish

Future Plans: I’m hoping to pursue my passions for research, the environment, and social justice upon graduation. I plan to work for a few years and eventually return to school to get a master's degree or a Ph.D.

What made you choose the O’Malley School of Business and Manhattan University? I chose Manhattan University and the O’Malley School of Business because of the small class sizes, the awesome professors who have encouraged my academic and personal growth, and the emphasis on ethical thinking in relation to Manhattan University’s Lasallian values. I have also loved the University’s emphasis on learning outside of the classroom through countless opportunities for internships, research, and volunteer work.

Is there one person, place or thing that inspired you during your time at Manhattan University? The research opportunities at Manhattan University and the wonderful professors who have encouraged me to work on projects with them have inspired me throughout my time in university. As a result of the student research grants and support of the professors in the O’Malley School of Business, I have been involved in a handful of projects in which I have gotten to work with amazing groups of fellows students, submit work to journals and conferences, design and analyze projects from beginning to end, and even spend the summer working on a project in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.The hands-on research that I’ve been so privileged to be involved in has truly shaped my career path and has been such a meaningful part of my university experience.

Your advice to an incoming Jasper: You learn best when you're passionate about what you are learning! Getting involved in clubs, internships, and research related to your major will help make your classes so much more relevant to you and your interests, which helps you understand things much better. Also, being willing to step outside of your comfort zone is so important when you are surrounded by tons of opportunities – don’t be afraid to try something new! I walked on to the Rowing Team and I have loved it, which is something I never could have done if I wasn’t open to new experiences. Lastly, the University has tons of resources available if you need help, whether it be with classes, landing an internship, getting cheap Yankees tickets, or adjusting to university life. Definitely take advantage of them!

Major: Sound Studies

Future Plans: I plan to stay and work in New York for a year or two to save money and then go to graduate school in Europe to study composition. My dream is to be able to write, orchestrate, and perform music and to spend my days in cafés just composing and meeting people.

What made you choose the School of Liberal Arts and Manhattan University? I came to Manhattan University because I received a good scholarship, but I stayed because of the people and the kind and giving faculty who want to see you succeed.

Is there one person, place, or thing that inspired you during your time at Manhattan University? Ideas and great artists from the Romantic Era have inspired me to aim to be something much greater than I am. It gave me the room to go for things that were never an option for me or those unobtainable intangible things that I would never have aimed or longed for.

Your advice to an incoming Jasper: Find a passion and pursue it to no end. Don't have a passion? Then you keep trying new things until you find the thing that you would happily devote your life to doing or exploring.

Major: Psychology

Future Plans: I have accepted an offer to begin a master's program in general psychology at Wake Forest University in the fall. After that, I will pursue a clinical program in Norway to pursue a career in research. 

What made you choose the School of Liberal Arts and Manhattan University? I chose Manhattan University because they were actively recruiting international students. In addition, I was intrigued by the close community and small class sizes that were offered at the university. It makes it easier to get to know others, the classes are more interactive and engaging, and there is more time and attention amongst the faculty to the individual students and their goals.

I chose the School of Liberal Arts because I wanted a degree that not only focuses on psychology, but also considers interactions with other perspectives and disciplines in the social sciences and outside of it, too. Nothing in life works in isolation, so it makes sense to know a little about the perspectives and methods of different fields. So far, it has given me a more nuanced picture of psychology and been useful in my research, where I am currently writing a research paper for an interdisciplinary journal.

Is there one person, place or thing that inspired you during your time at Manhattan University? I believe the overall academic environment and sense of community at Manhattan University inspired me to continue to do my best.

Your advice to an incoming Jasper: My advice to an incoming Jasper would be to continue pushing to become the version of yourself you’ve always dreamed of. 

Major: International Studies

Future Plans: My goal after graduating college is to move out to the West Coast. In a few years time, I hope to attend law school to pursue a career as a lawyer. I hope also to find some more time to continue volunteering, which is something I really enjoyed while at Manhattan University.

What made you choose the School of Liberal Arts and Manhattan University? I chose Manhattan University because I wanted to be in New York City and out of my choices going into college, they offered me the most flexibility in studying interdisciplinary topics. However, what cemented my decision was the professors in the School of Liberal Arts. A lot of my professors encouraged me to pursue my interests and curiosity, helped me find internships, navigate possible graduate programs and much more.

Is there one person, place or thing that inspired you during your time at Manhattan University? I would say Luca Villani. Luca used to be an engineering student and now is a business analytics and computer information systems double major. He worked super hard to graduate on time. He not only inspired me with his hard work, but also encouraged me to try new things. It was inspiring to see someone not only work hard but be determined to see not only themselves but the people around them achieve their goals. Luca encouraged everyone around him to take the opportunities that came their way and always cheered people on. Also, Luca reminded me the world always needs more compassion, which is something I plan to carry with me after my time here at Manhattan University.

Your advice to an incoming Jasper: Make the most of your time over the next four years. There are resources and people here who want to see you succeed and help you reach your goals. Also, explore the neighborhood! There are so many nice local businesses and Riverdale in the fall and spring make for some of the best walks.

Major: Mathematics with a minor in Physics

Future Plans: I will begin a Ph.D program in mathematics at Wesleyan University. It is a five-year program that will culminate into a doctoral degree. Afterwards I may pursue a postdoctoral research position or go directly into becoming a mathematics/physics professor (teaching/research) at a university.

What made you choose the Kakos School of Science and Manhattan University? I chose the Kakos School of Science at Manhattan University because of the small department sizes and professors that are extremely dedicated to their students. I came to a couple of accepted student days and open house events, and spoke with professors in both mathematics and physics. I could really envision myself in the programs offered.

Is there one person, place or thing that inspired you during your time at Manhattan University? Absolutely, I am particularly inspired by professor Richard Gustavson in the Mathematics department. I had Dr. Gustavson for MATH 243, which is a foundational course for math majors where we learn primarily about logic and proof methods. I was enthralled by the unambiguity underlying the theorems we worked with and how so many complicated mathematical structures can be reduced down to the foundational axioms and the logic that interweaves them. I feel very prepared to enter a Ph.D program next semester and that is in very large part due to his efforts. Dr. Gustavson has also been my research advisor for the project I started in the summer of my freshman year and that is now culminating into an honors thesis. I learned so much from this project, from all of the background information, to proving a new theorem, to the process of submitting a paper for publication. Our paper, "A reduction algorithm for Volterra integral equations" has been submitted for publication to an undergraduate research journal and is currently undergoing the peer review process. In the meantime, it has been posted on arXiv, which is an open source platform home to millions of research articles across many different STEM disciplines. View it here.

Your advice to an incoming Jasper: Practice prioritizing and time management skills from the very beginning of your university career. There is such a wide variety of ways to get involved on campus outside of classes. These opportunities are very exciting, and there's really something for everyone. I am involved in the performing arts as well as Chess Club, Jewish Student Union, and a few honor societies. That being said, it is very easy to over-involve oneself and create an overwhelming schedule. Around this time of year I found myself in a position of extreme stress. It took the rest of May and June to work closely with my professors and cover the material necessary to override my "Incomplete" grades. I missed out on an external research opportunity that summer too as it took me the entire summer to stabilize from this experience. I wasn't even sure that I would be ready to start classes again in the fall. So, while involvement across campus can be very rewarding, it is important to prioritize the things that are most important. Of course, above all, your health comes first. I would wholeheartedly recommend tapping into the resources offered at the Counseling Center, which offers weekly counseling appointments as well as emergency services in the case of mental health crises. And just in general, it is better to focus on fewer things and do them well than to spread yourself out thin.

Major(s): Adolescent Education and Mathematics 

Future Plans: Graduate school and teaching middle school and high school math in the New York City Department of Education.

What made you choose the School of Education and Health and Manhattan University? I chose the school of Education and Health at Manhattan University because of the location and the small classes. I knew I wanted to teach in urban settings and knew that Manhattan would allow me to do that. My education and math classes are also very small so it is easy to build relationships with your professors and be close with the people in your major. The adolescent education cohort is very tight-knit and I felt so lucky to be a part of it.

Is there one person, place or thing that inspired you during your time at Manhattan University? Observing and student teaching at the public schools really inspired me during my time at Manhattan University. My experiences with students motivated me to accomplish things that I could have never done without their impact. Through this I was inspired to do research, go into special education for my masters, spearhead a STEM outreach event, and grow into a better educator. 

Your advice to an incoming Jasper: Build relationships with your professors. The professors at the School of Education & Health really care about their students and want them to achieve great things. Taking advantage of that will provide you with a multitude of opportunities and support throughout your undergraduate, graduate, and professional career.

Major: Exercise Science (pre-physical therapy)

Future Plans: Starting in June I am excited to announce that I will be attending New York University (NYU) to continue my education towards my Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

What made you choose the School of Education and Health and Manhattan University? People always say that when you are looking at universitys, you will get a feeling the moment you step foot on campus. This holds true to my experience when I stepped foot on Manhattan's campus. I was recruited to be on the women's swimming and diving team, and it had always been my dream to attend a university in which I could pursue my academic studies to become a physical therapist (PT) and swim on a Division I Team. Manhattan University checked the boxes both academically and athletically. I am beyond grateful to my family for helping me live out my dream of being a collegiate athlete while also receiving an education. This has built the foundation for me to pursue a career as a physical therapist.

Is there one person, place or thing that inspired you during your time at Manhattan University? 

Throughout my time here at Manhattan University, I have been lifted up and supported by so many individuals. Every day when I walk into Alumni Hall on campus, I am greeted with smiles from all faculty, staff and students. I would like to specifically thank professors Lisa Toscano, Christie González-Toro, Shawn Ladda, Jeff Cherubini and Tedd Keating for their endless support and guidance. Beyond class knowledge, these individuals have helped me grow in more ways than one, and for that I am honored and say "thank you." The Kinesiology department truly feels like family and even though my time here at Manhattan is coming to an end, I know that I will always have the memories, lessons, and support to carry with me. 

As a student-athlete, I have been able to live the best of both worlds. I have cherished every moment in and out of the pool with my teammates who I see as my family. I have had the opportunity to serve as a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) which has allowed me to be a voice for all athletes. In addition, I have learned so much about what it truly means to be a leader on campus. Thank you to all of the athletic administration, athletic trainers, staff and my coach, for helping me throughout my time here at Manhattan University.

Your advice to an incoming Jasper: To all of the future Jaspers, my piece of advice to you would be to live every day with gratitude. You never know what twists and turns life may throw your way, but at Manhattan University there is always someone to lean on and help support you. Lastly, always know that you are never alone. Whether you are on a team or involved in a club or organization on campus, you can always count on the fact that you are a vital member of the Jasper family.

Major: Civil Engineering

Minor(s): Digital Media Art, Mathematics, and Environmental Engineering

Future Plans: I have happily accepted a job offer as a project engineer at Marine Solutions, a firm that specializes in marine infrastructure needs. I am especially excited because I may have the opportunity to become a certified scuba diver and conduct underwater inspections.

What made you choose the School of Engineering and Manhattan University? In high school, I attended professor Walter Saukin's summer engineering program at Manhattan University, which introduced me to civil engineering principles. This encouraged me to pursue civil engineering as a major. I knew Manhattan was very reputable in civil engineering and I liked the feel of the school. It also was in a good location, wasn't not too big, and all of the people I had met at the school were lovely. As a senior here at Manhattan I can say with certainty that choosing Manhattan was the right decision for me. My time at Manhattan has allowed me to pursue many different fulfilling interests that have helped shape me into who I am now. 

Is there one person, place, or thing that inspired you during your time at Manhattan University? In sophomore year I took the class CEEN 305: Energy and the Environment with professor Kevin Farley, which helped me further realize how important the environment is to me and that I wanted to pursue environmental engineering. It is something I have a passion for and feel is incredibly important, especially now. I continued on to do environmental engineering research with Dr. Farley, who has become a great source of guidance and wisdom in my life. For this I am very grateful. 

Your advice to an incoming Jasper: Life can get so difficult sometimes that it feels like an uphill battle but remember every uphill has a downhill. Eventually, things are going to be okay. Each hill is an opportunity to become stronger. My best advice is to keep holding on and climbing that hill because the top of the hill is the most rewarding part.