Carmen Carrión Lucena Named Undergraduate Valedictorian at Manhattan University

Manhattan University today announced that Carmen Carrión Lucena will be the University’s undergraduate valedictorian for the class of 2025. She will be the student speaker at the May 17 ceremony to be held on the University campus.

Born in Seville, Spain, Carrión Lucena left her home country in pursuit of an American education. She first attended Campbellsville University in Kentucky on a track scholarship then transferred to Manhattan University where, she said, “I was meant to be here at Manhattan where there is a positive connection among members of the entire community. One feels safe and secure and is always greeted by a fellow Jasper with a smile.”

She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree as a Finance major with a 3.98 GPA and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society, Epsilon Sigma Pi Honor Society, Financial Management Association Honor Society, and attained Dean’s List status for her entire time at Manhattan University. As a bi-lingual student, she served as a Teaching Assistant in the University’s Spanish Department where she designed educational tools and coordinated group projects to enhance student collaboration. She also volunteered at St. Teresa’s Church in Manhattan where she provided interpretive skills and administrative support. She credits the O’Malley School of Business (OMSB) at the University with learning through “real life” projects and her professors who convey their passion for teaching and sharing knowledge.

Carrión Lucena also served as the Chief Strategy Officer for the student Manhattan University Investment Fund where she directed strategic planning and internal communications to align team initiatives with fund goals. Additionally, she worked in the social media management area for OMSB where she designed strategic campaigns that enhanced brand visibility across platforms. Her research experience includes receipt of a grant from the OMSB as a Jasper Summer Scholar on the topic of Gender Differences in the Labor Market – Perception of Maternity/Paternity Leave and the Gender Pay Gap.

According to Kenneth Sumner, Ph.D., Provost and Executive Vice President, “Carmen is a true student of the world. Her love of New York City and Manhattan University; her ability to inculcate the core Lasallian values of faith, respect for all, and her concern for social justice in all she does; and her academic excellence will offer her many opportunities in any field she chooses to pursue.”