Lead, Connect, Inspire Page 26
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SPRING 2025 | 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOLLOW US: 4 5 6 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 ........INTRODUCTION ....................FACULTY SPOTLIGHT ....................STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ....................STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ....................STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ....................STUDENT SPOTLIGHT .......................INTERN SPOTLIGHT 24 25 26 31 32 34 .........NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SPORT BUSINESS CASE COMPETITION ............KEITH HARING FITNESS DAY ...ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK ............................SBDC ................GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT ................HIGHLIGHTS ......................AWARDS BANQUET .....................ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT ......................DEAN’S LIST
MARIA NOTARIANNI Communication Design & Art History Graphic Designer OUR TEAM ALLY LARESE Management Technician Editor GRACE LEVY Communication Studies & Public Relations Writer Photos captured by Guy Frick and Dylan McKeown LETTER FROM THE DEAN Like many universities, we are preparing our faculty and students to effectively and ethically use artificial intelligence. The University established an AI Task Force to work on a variety of issues, including developing an AI strategy supported by policies and procedures that will guide our community in implementing this powerful technology. Within the College of Business, our own faculty led several workshops to develop AI skills among their colleagues so that we can develop these in-demand skills for ourselves and our students. In addition, we included an AI panel discussion in our Entrepreneurship Week programming to learn how entrepreneurs are leveraging AI to improve their operations and enhance their goods and services. We will continue our efforts to learn and upskill to make the most of this technology. The Department of Business Administration achieved reaffirmation of their AACSB accreditation this spring. The faculty worked hard for this, and it is quite an accomplishment. AACSB accreditation is the highest level of accreditation for business schools, with only 6% of the world’s b-schools achieving it. This is an external validation of the quality of our business programs and it is a real point of pride for us! 4 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT DR. BRADLEY CONGELIO Through a research grant with Dewey Data, he used phone tracking data and joined it with data about transactions in the local area to create a geospatial analysis about the impact of professional fishing tournaments on local communities. SPT 313: SPORT ANALYTICS When Dr. Congelio had the chance to create a course for the sport management program, he knew it would be a unique opportunity to develop a class designed for hands on student learning. ” “This is one of the things I’m most proud of in my career. Not only does it benefit the students, but it sets our sport management degree apart from other universities.” In Dr. Congelio’s class, students learn NFL analytics and coding, and then transition to using their own data sets later in the semester. “Coding is my passion, and as coding continues to evolve, we’re constantly learning.” In Dr. Congelio’s classes, he supports his students and offers them all the same advice: “If you’re trying to solve a coding problem and 16 errors come up, at least it’s not 17! Let’s problem solve.” As he continues to teach the course he created, Dr. Congelio hopes to create a second, advanced version of his class for students to take. “The COB has supported me throughout this, and we have some of the best faculty and students to work alongside with.” Joining the Golden Bear family in 2018, Dr. Congelio has made strides for the College of Business with his research and developing a textbook, Introduction to NFL Analytics with R, for SPT 313, a Sport Analytics course that he teaches at KU. RESEARCH Dr. Congelio has always been interested in how sports affect local economies, and when he was developing a research project, he took his passion for fishing and combined it with the Bassmaster Elite Series. “I wanted to take a look at something that’s never been examined in research before.” SPRING 2025 | 5
DEAN’S LISTFall 2024 6 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
ACCOUNTING Lily-Ann Beadencup Sade Blanco Luke Braucher Adam Brocato Alexis Bundra Megan Crist Maura Day Katelyn Delong Alyssa Desimone Colton DeTurk Zachary Dietrich Nicole Fidalgo James Figura Christian Fischer Bethany Francis Zachary Hafer Nishevitha Kannadaguli Shyam Prasad Taylor Kauffman Tyrus Kauffman Hannah Keeney Soroya Keller Kathleen Lawless Hong Lee Jonathan Lomonaco Kevin McLaughlin Jaryd Meehl James Munster Joshua Norris Marc Nuckols Alexis Plesic Xavier Reinert Shannon Remolde Jader Restrepo Matthew Ritter Isabela de Nadai Will DeLay Julia Dolon Cole Dorshimer Vincent Duong Emmanuel Eason Katelyn Economopoulos Anna Esposito Madison Esterly Syraj Ali Fazel Ryan Felgenhauer Andrew Fiorilla Michael Galasso Joseph Galle Brooke Graham Christopher Guallpa Joshua Heilman Sean Hess Logan Hostetter Zachary Houtz Nikolas Koffer Nathan Lawn Reed Lawrence Caroline McDonald Todd McGann Brenna McGowan Bryce McKinnon Simbarashe Mekani Theodore Miksa Zachary Morris Noah Morris Sabrina Myers Mary Nangle Jose Pizano Kayden Platania Damini Ramanujam Kumar Henrique Rocha Jada Rodriguez Luke Salem Alexandra Sipe Nicholas Skoutelas Amanda Slabicki Abigail Smith Logan Sosik Aiden Soumas Serena Stauffer Brendan Sweeney Caleb Tryninewski Rylee Van Gilson Alexander Ward Olivia Waterman Gabriella Webb Tracey White Rebecca Wilson Amanawit Zeleke GENERAL BUSINESS Adreanna Avalos Paige Bittenbender Sophia Collins Benjamin Collison Dallas Davenport Riley Delp Oliver Diaz Rodriguez James Ebert Noah Gehringer Matthew Halulakos Jara Heckman Isabella Ingrassia Michael LeMay Carly Little Dina Rodriguez Michael Rodriguez Alan Ruchlewicz Samuel Schaeffer William Stephani Ashley Stone Sydney Watts Trace Weiler Kaitlyn Weiss Reina Whalen Steele Wrigley Yujie Yan Caitlin R Zinn ENTREPRENEURSHIP Julie Avery Brooke Conaghan Jacob Donze Riley Hanzl Olivia Killough Gabe Koumaras Sarah Loeffler Jax Lucchese Andrew Miller Katrina Wolf FINANCE Rylan Adamski Evan Anderson Victor Astuto Nicholas Beck Nathan Berger Makayla Bucher Jenna Cawley Lucas Cherniak John Chibirka Justus Darville SPRING 2025 | 7
Matthew Lore Skylar Lucas Lily Maniscalco Alexis Martins Hannah Mcconnell Amelia Moore Weston Nolt Rylee Phillips Alexander Reed Aidan Ross Nathan Rothstein Ryan Rush Gabriela Sanchez Salvatore Scarlata Bethany Schearer Owen Starner Kyle Steele Jackson Stevens Evalyn Stoner Henry Thomas James Turbedsky Jonathan Turchi HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Abigail Davidheiser Dakota Devlin Sarah Friedman Grace Harrold Amanda Heck Anthony Kruper Madeline Lobley Nicole Parker Leanny Pascual Marissa Rice Danielle Skinner Julie Stockton Taylor Swartley Rachel Szabo MANAGEMENT Destiny Abreu Sorangel Acosta Reyes Omari Banks Bo Barthol Noelle Baxter Jessica Breidigan Makarios Butt Bryan Correia Anna Dant Gabriel Derrickson Wesley Englebert Jared Ferguson Noah Gehringer Jacob Gutkind Trinity Heierbacher Raisa Hoehn Jocelyn Jaworski Curtis LaSalle Tran Le Dylan Moyer Laynee Nugent Elizabeth Ott Dylan Page Austin Pease Ty Race Haripriya Ramkissoon Anisa Reinstrom Sandra Rosales Nicole Stout Daniela Tineo-Gomez Jackson Wagner Jeremy Wessner MARKETING Marilyn Arisa Hannah Arocho Emma Blyler Emily Boyle Anthony Chiango Andrew Ciurleo Sophia Collins Olivia Cox Bridget Curtis Andrew Darlak Ashley Davenport Mason English Connor Frank Amanda Gravatt Alexander Grohol Thao Vy Ha Kassidy Hallman Maya Hepler Averi Hidalgo Katelyn Honadel Devon Hrycko Joskar Javier-Miranda Mackenzie Kolb Paige Koller Paige Krajcic Michario Madden Alexis McLanahan Luke Miller Dorothy Naab Katherine Nolan Emma O’Neill Aidan Perriello Quintin Pfautz Leslie Ramos Meghan Rimek Eva Robinson Spencer Rose Isabella Rutt Ethan Seitz Jacob Sopko Katelyn Stuhldreher Cassandra Tipa-Bowman Jessica Traynor Maura Walker Owen Weaver Morgan Werley PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING Nigel Pizzo Travis Rach Zachary Riddle SPORT MANAGEMENT Erick Acosta Benjamin Angstadt Matheson Bair Makenna Balay Emma Baldridge Andrew Batista Zachary Bender Nicholas Boyer Joline Bozzi John Bozzola Marisa Bragg Sarah Bronico Hudson Brown 8 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
Tate Clarke Slate Clauser Christopher Cleland Elijah Cunningham Richard Failla Hannah Ferris Alyssa Galayda Nicholas Garofalo Sydney Gibbons David Graham Devin Greene Taylor Gurysh Rowan Hall David Kattell Dylan Keating Robert Lloyd Aidan Magaha Dalton Maletsky Andrew Mann Greenleigh McGehee Alex Moser Samantha Noll Judd Novak Jordyn Osner Peyton Parker Nakei Patrick Eric Powers Lenniek Preston Tatum Rothermel Aidan Sanchez Kevin Schwartz Kirsten Seeger Kyle Seiz Tyler Sheets Kacie Sienko Morgan Slomkowski Carey Smith Brianna Stocklin Samantha Suhaka Saige Thibodeaux Carson Torchio Nicholas Varda Abigail Waas Madison Welsh SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT Mazen Ayash Jason Ciurleo Tyler Eckert Guy Frick Zachary Gottlieb Emily Jimenez Kevin Kovalenko Michael Windsor Zhixi Zhang SPRING 2025 | 9
Through her Honors Capstone project, Olivia has worked closely with Dr. Murshed, her faculty advisor, on a research project focused on subliminal marketing and direct advertising. She is researching how effective these two techniques are in increasing sales and brand loyalty. In addition, Dr. Vogel has been instrumental in guiding her. CAMPUS TOUR GUIDE In addition to her club leadership, Olivia is also a campus tour guide, focusing on prospective business students. Through this role, she shares her passion for KU and its business program with future students. “I genuinely love Kutztown and the COB. I get to tell prospective students how KU has shaped my life.” CAREER ASPIRATIONS Looking ahead, Olivia is excited about a role in data analytics or management. “My classes have opened my eyes to many different careers, so I’m prepared for anything.” As she continues her senior year, Olivia is thankful for all the connections and memories at KU. “I love the community here, from the campus events to meeting new people. Everyone knows everyone, and it’s a friendly environment to grow in.” When Olivia came to KU, she began her academic journey as a marketing major. She quickly discovered her passion for leadership, which led her to pursue a double major with management and marketing. Since then, she has defined her time at KU with leadership opportunities as the Honors Club president and a campus tour guide. “I get to make a difference, every day, and help our student community.” HONORS PROGRAM As president of the KU Honors Club, Olivia has honed her leadership skills by coordinating committee efforts and overseeing the club’s operations. When the position was available for the academic year, she knew she would regret not running. “I never thought I’d be president. It’s helped me build connections and relationships that will last well beyond KU.” Olivia’s service also extends to the Honors Peer Mentor program, where she volunteers with the Honors program orientation to help incoming students get acclimated to campus. She meets with her mentees throughout their first semester to check in on them and answer any questions they may have. “It’s rewarding to help these incoming students; they know they have someone in their corner, and I’m supporting them every step of the way. I get to give back to the Honors program, which already has given me so much.” OLIVIA COX 10 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
Olivia Cox, marketing and management double major, is president of the Honors Club and an admissions campus tour guide. STUDENT SPOTLIGHT SPRING 2025 | 11
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Braden Neeson, sport management major and coaching minor, is president of the KU Ice Hockey Club. 12 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
“KU Ice Hockey is a hidden gem. I’m so proud to have a leadership position where I can take what I’ve learned and apply it to our team.” ACADEMICS Braden’s academic journey has been shaped by his sport management professors. “Dr. Cebula’s classes really helped me figure out what I wanted to get out of my degree.” He also credits Dr. Sigmund’s sport accounting and financing class as one of his favorites. “It was one of those classes that made me feel like I was really getting prepared for the future. All my professors have done great things for me.” FUTURE GOALS Looking ahead, Braden has his sights set on a career in hockey operations. With his love for running a team and his deep understanding of the business side of ice hockey, he’s found a passion within the sport. “You have to do more than just get a degree. Push yourself to try new things because you learn so much more about yourself.” Skating on the ice since he was seven years old, Braden grew up playing ice hockey. When he came to KU, he found his Golden Bear family through the friendships he made with his team on and off the ice. As he finishes his junior year at KU, Braden is thankful for the opportunity to be president of the club and grateful for all the memories he has made. “This is an experience I will take with me for the rest of my life.” ICE HOCKEY Braden has embraced his role as president of KU’s ice hockey team, a position that has reshaped his understanding of sports. “Being president of the team has really opened my eyes to the business side of sports. It’s helped me realize what I want to do after college.” As president, Braden organizes the club’s games, handles finances, and oversees the team’s operations. During the ice hockey season, the team goes to the ice rink twice a week, beginning practice at 6AM. They also have team workouts twice a week and have games on the weekends. “We are not just playing to play. We are competitive, and the club puts in the work.” Before his role as president, Braden helped the team with their social media and PR efforts. He learned the ins and outs of the club, and when it was election season, he was well prepared to make a presidential campaign run. BRADEN NEESON SPRING 2025 | 13
Today, Isabel keeps in touch with some of the Japanese students she met through the study abroad program through mailing letters. Their friendships became so strong that when the Japanese students came to visit Kutztown later in the year, she met up with them. “It was an experience I’ll carry with me forever, and I can’t wait to go back.” BANGOR SAVINGS BANK Since Summer 2022, Isabel has applied her accounting and financial planning skills as a seasonal bank teller at Bangor Savings Bank. She works in one of the busiest branches in Maine, and every summer she returns there to continue building her accounting skills. “I love numbers. One of my favorite things is to balance my checkbook, so this position was a natural fit.” Isabel is thankful to professors like Dr. Kaufinger and Dr. Kong, who have supported her academics. Classes like Data Analytics have been especially helpful to her future goals. CAREER ASPIRATIONS After graduation, Isabel will be returning to Kutztown to pursue her MBA. “I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else, and I’m not ready to leave. I want to learn more and this is my community.” ISABEL BAUGHMAN Growing up in Northport, Maine, Isabel always knew she wanted to explore life beyond her small, tightknit hometown. As a first-generation college student, she wished for something more than what her parents had, and Isabel was drawn to Kutztown’s College of Business because of the AACSB accreditation. “Coming to KU, I didn’t know anyone, but I found a community and made connections with people that will surpass state lines.” JAPAN STUDY ABROAD Since her freshman year, Isabel always wanted to study abroad. Then, in Spring 2023, she discovered that KU was planning a trip to study abroad in Japan, and she knew it would be a great opportunity. “My dad always wanted to go to Japan, and it felt like all the pieces just aligned.” While she spent part of her summer in Japan, Isabel wanted to experience as much as possible. She visited deer parks and cemeteries, where she was able to perform ceremonies and rituals. “It was an incredible experience to get to know myself better spiritually and emotionally.” Isabel also fondly remembers her homestay, where she got to live with Dr. Miura, Japanese university professor. She was able to practice speaking Japanese and learn more about their culture. 14 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Isabel Baughman, a senior accounting and personal financial planning double major, studied abroad in Japan during Summer 2024. SPRING 2025 | 15
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Andrew Mann is a sport management major who competed in the National Collegiate Sport Sales Competition. 16 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
ACADEMICS Andrew credits his success to the support he received from the sport management department, particularly from Dr. Yongjae Kim and Dr. Soojin Kim, who encouraged him to join the NCSSC. He also praises Professor Cebula for showing him how to network. “Her classes showed me everything I needed to be successful.” He is also thankful for courses like sport marketing, where he learned about planning and research. Andrew is also a sport management student ambassador, where he volunteers to talk with prospective students about the sport management program, the COB, and talks about his experience at KU. “It boosts my public speaking skills and helps me think on the fly.” LOOKING AHEAD After graduation, Andrew has accepted a sales role with the New Jersey Devils. In the future, he sees himself in management or a leadership role. Andrew is appreciative of all the opportunities KU has given him. “You never know what one thing will lead to.” Andrew has always been interested in sports, and when he came to KU, he saw an opportunity to merge his passion into a career. As he entered his senior year, Andrew was looking for more opportunities to get involved in the sport management industry, and when he learned about the National Collegiate Sport Sales Competition (NCSSC), he knew it would be a great chance to put himself out there. “This was my best experience at KU, and I’m so glad I put myself out there.” NATIONAL COLLEGIATE SPORT SALES COMPETITION In January 2025, Andrew competed in the Ticket Sales Division of the NCSSC, ranking 9th in the first round and 17th in the championship round. The NCSSC is a role-playing competition where sport management college students compete against each other to sell hypothetical ticket packages. Held at the Atlanta Hawks State Farm Arena in Georgia, the final rounds of the competition allowed Andrew to pitch his sales proposal to a buyer and a judge. After his pitch, Andrew received feedback on the competition. “It was some of the first sales experience I’ve gotten, and I got to test my skills and give a pitch.” Before the final rounds, Andrew met each week with the team’s faculty advisor, Dr. Kim, to practice and get feedback on the sales pitch. ANDREW MANN SPRING 2025 | 17
INTERN SPOTLIGHT Bryan Sherry and Tyler Sheets, sport management majors, are interns for the Hurricane Junior Golf Tournament. 18 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
“Everything we learned helped in real time.” Bryan agreed: “The skills I use every day—organization, time management, communication—I developed those in my sport management classes.” Tyler’s advice to students looking for internship experience was to make connections. “Use your network! Your professors are there to help you, and don’t want you to fail, so ask them what opportunities they know about.” Bryan’s advice was to not get overwhelmed by learning something new. “Take the time to learn the material; you’re investing in your career, so take some time to truly learn now.” Tyler is appreciative of Dr. Cebula for her support and helping him find the internship. Bryan is appreciative of Dr. Congelio for his lectures and for setting him up for success. As they approach graduation, Bryan and Tyler are looking forward to their next chapters. Tyler has accepted a sales position with ADP, and Bryan is pursuing college-level coaching. “These four years flew by. It’s still sinking in that we’re about to leave, but I would do it all over again,” said Tyler. BRYAN SHERRY When Bryan and Tyler crossed paths in a sport management class during their time at KU, they had no idea they would end up interning for the same company. Now seniors, the two friends are gaining hands-on experience with the Hurricane Junior Golf Tournament. Tyler, who chose KU for the sport management program and welcoming campus, took on a sales intern role at Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, which felt intimidating at first. In his role, Tyler would call families and students to sell the events and memberships to the company. “I didn’t start out as a strong salesman. The idea of picking up the phone and calling strangers was terrifying. But after making up to a hundred calls a day, I got more comfortable. It pushed me, and I could see my skills improving.” Bryan, a former KU football player, joined the Hurricane Junior Golf Tournament team as a hospitality and logistics intern. In his role, he would call hotels across the country to see if they’d partner with the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour and offer housing options for players and families during events. “I used to have phone anxiety, too. Now, with all the practice, my communication and organization skills have come a long way. I feel way more confident on calls.” Their sport management courses played a big role in getting them internship-ready. “Our classes really set us up for success,” said Tyler. TYLER SHEETS SPRING 2025 | 19
EMILY KEENAN SUNSHINE CASTRO “We get to meet new people and small business owners and see what they do,” said Sunshine. “We’re always interacting with small business owners. You never know what someone knows and what they can teach you,” said Emily. KU SBDC Crossing paths in their MBA courses as well, Sunshine and Emily are thankful for their experiences in the program. Sunshine enjoyed Dr. Donna Steslow’s Leadership and Ethics course. “She doesn’t make you feel bad for talking about an idea.” She also liked BUS591, the program’s Applied Capstone course. “We get to work with real-life client’s and create a marketing campaign. It was a good environment for students to learn and work with each other.” “Dr. Steslow is my favorite,” said Emily. “The way she structures her class fosters open discussion, making it a great learning environment.” Emily also enjoyed Dr. Donna DeMarco’s courses for the Data Analytics certificate, where she was challenged with new course material. “Dr. DeMarco makes sure you’re not in a course alone when you are learning something new.” ADVICE TO STUDENTS “Don’t be scared to try new things! There’s nothing wrong with trying, and if you don’t try something, you will regret not doing it in the first place,” said Sunshine. “Never give up on being a student,” said Emily. “Anyone can pursue higher education, so don’t underestimate yourself. You belong here.” Emily joined the Golden Bear Family in 2017, earning her Psychology undergraduate degree in 2021. After spending some time in the workforce, she returned to KU in Fall 2024 for her MBA, with certificates in Leadership and Data Analytics. Originally from the Philippines, Sunshine came to KU for her MBA because of the College of Business’s AACSB accreditation, affordability, and to advance her career. This Spring, she will graduate with her MBA degree, with Leadership and Business Decision Making certificates. KU SBDC Meeting at the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center (KU SBDC), Emily and Sunshine are part of the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) team, where they help small business clients improve their website keywords and strategy. Emily is the Program Lead, managing the SEO team. “I’ve learned so much in my role and get to integrate the leadership skills I learn in the classroom into the office.” Sunshine helps clients interpret their website analytics and improve their digital strategy. “This was all new to me, but it’s exciting to apply what I’m learning directly into client work.” Through the KU SBDC, they have attended networking events, traveled for client site visits, and strengthened their digital marketing skills. 20 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT Emily and Sunshine are MBA students and Graduate Assistants with the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center. SPRING 2025 | 21
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Kori Meshaw, Class of 2013, was a marketing major. Now, he’s an account manager with Clark National Accounts, a professional wrestler, and a high school track and field coach. 22 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
Under the stage name Breaux Keller, Kori has competed for the WWE, AEW, and Three Legacies Wrestling, a Lancaster-based professional wrestling academy. One of his favorite moments in his wrestling career was performing in Washington, DC, for the WWE. “It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Nine-year-old me would be so happy and blissful knowing I was able to perform there. I’m forever grateful and appreciative of that opportunity.” Some of Kori’s best memories are the connections he makes with his fans. “They view us like superheroes, and it’s those little moments of getting to talk to the kids and parents that make it worth it.” In addition, Kori has begun coaching track and field at his alma mater, Hempfield Senior High School. “I’ve been able to connect with the student athletes in a different way because I used to be in their “running” shoes. I used to run where they did, and I know how the program works. Plus, holding a few of the Track and Field high school records help, too. It gives me some street credit.” As Kori continues his coaching career, he is thankful for the opportunities he had at KU that led him to this moment. “In the grand scheme of things, my time at KU was small, but it was so impactful on my life.” KORI MESHAW When Kori came to KU in 2009, he immediately felt at home. While at KU, he was a member of the Men’s Outdoor Track and Field team, where he won the PSAC Championship 400m hurdles three years in a row. “I enjoyed every second on the track.” Some of Kori’s fondest memories at KU are from his time with the Track and Field team. “We made deep connections through the team, our shared classes, and developed a bond that has lasted today.” Post graduation, Kori found a career with Clark Associates, working his way from their e-commerce division to his current role as an account manager with Clark National Accounts, a supply chain solutions company. In his current role, Kori works with some of Clark’s largest customers to ensure they get their products and works on strategic, long-term growth for the company. “Everything I built here at KU helped me land my first job; it set me up for success.” Kori is appreciative of the work-life balance that Clark provides. On their campus, they have a daycare and gym, which he uses as he continues to train during his wrestling career. An avid competitor, Kori has always been drawn to the athleticism and theatrics of wrestling, and when he had the opportunity to get into the ring, he couldn’t resist. SPRING 2025 | 23
On April 1, the sport management department hosted the third annual National High School Sport Business Case Competition. Through this competition, six final high school student teams compete against each other in a sport business case. This year, student teams were challenged to use emerging AI technology to create a hypothetical sport package for the Philadelphia Flyers. During their 15-minute presentations, the teams used their ingenuity to pitch ideas like a new Flyers app or integrating virtual reality goggles into the Flyers fans experience. Following their presentations, the teams answered questions from the judging panel, which included Flyers marketing team members. Prior to the final round in de Francesco, high school students were invited to an opening ceremony at the Wells Fargo center on March 31, where they toured the facilities and watched a Flyers game. Before then, the high school students competed in two rounds of the competition to secure their finalist spots. The first-place winners were students from Eastern York High School, earning $1000 for the four students. The second-place winners were students from North Penn High School, and Milton Hershey School received third place. All students received participant certificates. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SPORT BUSINESS CASE COMPETITION 24 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
KEITH HARING FITNESS DAY On May 1, Kutztown Area High School and KU students competed at the third annual Keith Haring Fitness Court Competition. Hosted by the sport management department, the competitors were judged for their performance in several physical activities, from pull-ups to burpees. Following the competition, KU Admissions provided lunch for the competitors. SPRING 2025 | 25
ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK APRIL 21-25, 2025 26 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
Corey Crapella Harnessing AI to unlock leadership potential and drive meaningful growth—where technology meets human connection Amresse Farrow Innovator in AI-driven marketing & founder of Logical Leap, revolutionizing how businesses scale with tech-powered strategies Doug Mancini President of Liquid, a digital innovator with 25+ years of experience, passionate music enthusiast, and devoted family man AI ENTREPRENEURSHIP PANEL On April 21, Entrepreneurship Week kicked off with an engaging panel discussion about AI and the future of entrepreneurship. The panelists included Doug Mancini, Amresse Farrow, and Corey Crapella. INTEGRATING AI INTO THEIR BUSINESSES As the president of Liquid, a digital marketing agency, Doug believes the creative marketing industry is expected to use AI in their services. “It’s not going anywhere, so we’ve got to embrace it.” Amresse, the co-founder of Logical Leap, a design and marketing company, is very optimistic about how AI has transformed her business. “We are able to get results to clients faster through AI tools.” Corey, the president and founder of Core Coaching and Consulting, is enthusiastic about how AI has optimized his business. “AI gives us the time to do what we love. Instead of doing administrative work, let AI do that so we can spend more time doing what brings us joy.” ADVICE ON AI While all the panelists have successfully integrated AI into their business models, they also have words of advice when using this technology. Corey was cautious about how AI will continue to evolve. “We need councils or committees in our workplaces to advise our AI use. It’s not a trend, and while AI is here to stay, we should have safeguards in place.” Doug echoed this advice and offered his perspective on AI bias. “We need to continue to critically think about the information AI gives us, because it can be wrong.” Amresse offered advice to the emerging workforce, saying, “People who use AI will begin to replace the jobs of those who don’t use AI. Stay involved in AI and continue to learn about it because our future jobs may depend on it.” SPRING 2025 | 27
Sara Inge Experienced CPA and business advisor, dedicated to simplifying finances and helping businesses thrive Kattina V. Barsik, Esq., LLM Intellectual property attorney specializing in patents, trademarks, and copyrights, protecting innovation with expertise and dedication Yudelkys Rodriguez De Vargas Immigration attorney, law firm owner, and advocate for justice and empowerment Valerie Deneen Marketing strategist, content creator, and former software engineer helping brands enhance their presence through powerful storytelling WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP PANEL The middle of Entrepreneurship Week featured a women’s panel, which included Sara Inge, Kattina Barsik, Yudelkys de Vargas, and Valerie Deneen. Sara is the owner of A.I. Legacy, Inc., an accounting firm. Kattina is the founder and attorney with The Law Office of Kattina V. Barsik. Yudelkys is an attorney with the Law Office of Yudelkys Rodriguez De Vargas. Valerie is the founder of Inner Child Fun Media. WHAT INSPIRED THEIR BUSINESSES? Kattina wanted a flexible schedule and to pivot her career. “I took a risk by leaving a stable career and started law school, and I have never looked back.” Valerie was inspired to start her business by the idea of bringing families together with her craft tutorials. “I wanted to solve problems creatively.” In 2006, Sara was looking for a stable and sole source of income, so she started her own accounting firm. “I was scared I wouldn’t have any clients, but I found a community and people who were willing to take a chance on me.” Yudelkys was looking for a new opportunity when she started her own law firm. “I trusted myself and took a chance.” VULNERABILITY AND ADVICE All the women shared some of their struggles being female entrepreneurs in business. Kattina’s advice for new entrepreneurs is to trust your gut and intuition. “Everything is going to be fine and it’ll all work out. You may not feel confident in your abilities now, but it’s all happening for a reason.” Valerie knew that pivoting her career would be an investment in her future, but that risk was still hard. “Risk is the price you pay for innovation.” Yudelkys began her career in nonprofit work and took a chance on herself by starting her own business. “Trust yourself and you’ll find your own way.” Sara is a firm believer in building relationships and that people come first before money. “It took time to build client relationships, but it pays off in dividends. It’s scary to start a business, but it’s so worth it.” 28 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
SOCIETAL IMPACT & SUSTAINABILITY LUNCHEON Entrepreneurship Week concluded with a sustainability and societal impact panel, which featured Chris Flynn, Jon Escueta, Murtaza Jaffer, and Renée Baran. Chris is the owner of Energy Transfer Services, LLC. Jon is the founder of City Cuts Barbershop, located on Kutztown’s Main Street. Murtaza is the owner of EBC Printing & Signs. Renée is the Dean of Education at Rodale Institute. COMMUNITY IMPACT Jon’s passion for community outreach began with his time in different barber shops when he was an apprentice. “I wanted a space that was so much more than a barber shop.” Through his “Books for Kids” program, young customers are given $3 for reading a book while they sit in the barbers chair and receive a haircut. Renée spoke about Rodale’s impact on the community of farmers near the area. “We invite farmers and local students to visit our campus, which promotes our regenerative farming education.” Chris says curiosity prompted him to investigate renewable energy sources when starting his business. “I was curious about how energy conservation can transform a local economy.” “Community is a way of life,” said Murtaza. “Giving back comes naturally to me.” Murtaza explained his own upbringing and the people who took chances on him, and always wants to forward those same opportunities to others. LESSONS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP Prior to her role with Rodale, Renée worked with Lehigh University’s entrepreneurship programs. “We’ve got to rethink the definition of failure; it’s just a different opportunity. Entrepreneurship is never a linear path, and for every letdown there is a future success.” Murtaza explained how his career led to entrepreneurship and owning his business. “I took a chance and put in my two weeks’ notice at a stable job, which is one of the toughest decisions of my life. And I never looked back.” Jon always operates with a “Why not?” mentality, which has paid off in his business ventures. “Anybody can come into my barber shop, and no matter who they are, we treat you with respect.” Chris offered some key insights into the struggles of entrepreneurship. “When you’re an entrepreneur, you’re going to strike out a lot. But when you see an opportunity, you’ve got to go and chase it.” Chris Flynn Renewable energy leader, professor, and entrepreneur driving sustainable solutions in energy development and education Murtaza Jaffer Co-owner of EBC Printing & Signs, dedicated to quality printing, community support, and sustainable business solutions Renée Baran Dean of Education at Rodale Institute and passionate about education, leadership, and regenerative organic agriculture Jon Escueta Owner of City Cuts Barbershop, empowers youth through literacy and mentorship—one haircut at a time SPRING 2025 | 29
NETWORKING EVENT Entrepreneurs, students, and business professionals gathered for a dynamic networking event hosted in collaboration with the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and explore the wide range of services and resources offered by the SBDC to support business growth and innovation. The event fostered meaningful conversations, new connections, and a strong sense of community among current and aspiring entrepreneurs. 30 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
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HIGHLIGHTS Isiah Fernandez, Sport Management, received the Voice of Freedom Award at the Ujima Conference. Congrats, Isiah! MBA students and faculty visited Universal Industrial Gases with alum Jonathan Manning for their capstone project. AIM students visited the NYSE and attended the G.A.M.E. Forum in NYC—an unforgettable learning experience! Congratulations to Braden Neeson on earning the “Grittiest Golden Bear” award! Your adaptability, leadership, and commitment to the team truly embody the spirit of a Golden Bear. We’re proud of all your hard work and can’t wait to see what you accomplish next season! Congratulations to Abby Smith, one of our outstanding FINA 389 students, for earning 2nd place in the 11th Annual Collegiate Financial Plan Competition, hosted by the CFASP and FPA Societies of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia! Alum Gonzalo Barcelo ‘24 received the Bartley Medallion for Excellence in Finance from Villanova’s School of Business. He’s pictured here with Emeritus Professor John Walker. Congratulations, Gonzalo! 32 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
Congratulations to Bridget Curtis on receiving the Silver Medal at the Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Awards on April 4. A two-time All-American and one of KU’s top women’s soccer players, she was named 2023 PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year. Bridget also excels academically as a 2023 Academic All-American and multi-year academic honoree. Well done, Bridget! Congrats to KU Sport Management for earning 2nd place in the PA Sport Business Case Competition! Shoutout to Tatum Rothermel, Braden Neeson, and Slate Clauser for their stellar performance—and to Andrew Batista for being named MVP! Dr. Duane Crider retired, wrapping up an incredible 29year journey at KU. Congratulations! Dr. Feisal Murshed delivered the Spring 2025 Chambliss Faculty Research Lecture, sharing his academic journey and insights on SME sustainability. Dr. Kibum Youn, Ph.D., in collaboration with his Advertising Management class, hosted the Liquid Digital Marketing Competition Awards. The event gave students invaluable hands-on experience and a taste of what’s to come in their future careers. SPRING 2025 | 33
AWARDS BANQUET BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTING Robert Weiss CPA Memorial Award for Excellence in Tax Presented by Dr. Greg Kaufinger Joshua Norris Accounting Club Service Award Presented by Dr. Greg Kaufinger Olivia Waterman Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Award Presented by Dr. Emma Hao Bethany Francis PICPA Outstanding Senior Award Presented by Dr. Emma Hao Shannon Remolde Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Award Presented by Dr. Mostafa Masky Matthew Ritter Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Award Presented by Dr. Mostafa Masky Nathan Bernd Berger FINANCE Applied Investment Management Leadership Award Presented by Dr. Md Asif ul Alam Nathan Bernd Berger Financial Management Association KU Chapter Leadership Award Presented by Dr. Md Asif ul Alam Sean Hess Outstanding Achievement in Personal Financial Planning Award Presented by Dr. Jonathan Kramer Abigail Smith Outstanding Academic Achievement in Finance Award Presented by Dr. Jonathan Kramer Sabrina Myers MARKETING American Advertising Federation Award Presented by Dr. Feisal Murshed Ashley Davenport American Marketing Association Services Award Presented by Dr. Feisal Murshed Amanda Gravatt Outstanding Achievement in Marketing Award Presented by Dr. Feisal Murshed Jacob Sopko MANAGEMENT Outstanding Academic Achievement in Management Award Presented by Shawn Riley Priya Hemawatti Ramkissoon Outstanding Achievement in Management Award Presented by Ashwini Gangadharan Ty Race SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT Outstanding Academic Achievement in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Award Presented by Dr. Qin Geng Michael Windsor Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Service Award Presented by Dr. Rajeev Kumar Zachary Gottlieb BETA GAMMA SIGMA Beta Gamma Sigma Excellence in Academic Achievement Presented by Dr. Rajeev Kumar Zachary Morris & Marie Fenstermacher BETA GAMMA SIGMA INDUCTEES Michario Madden Riley Hanzl Jennifer Hudak Olivia Killough Tran Le Emily Boyle Bryan Correia Hannah McConnell Nicole Parker Rylee Van Gilson SPORT MANAGEMENT Outstanding Academic Achievement in Sport Management Award Presented by Dr. Soojin Kim Andrew Mann Outstanding Achievement in Department of Sport Management Presented by Professor Norm Sigmond Emme Wolfel Outstanding Major’s Club Service Award Presented by Professor Norm Sigmond Emme Wolfel Outstanding Achievement in Coaching Award Presented by Dr. Michelle Vaughn Greenleigh McGehee Outstanding Achievement in Fitness Administration Award Presented by Dr. Duane Crider Kacie Sienko Outstanding Service Award Presented by Professor Kerri Cebula J.D. Victoria Cappiello Leadership Award in Sport Management Presented by Dr. Jayden Kim Isiah Fernandez Outstanding Intern Award Cassandra Baker CHI SIGMA MU HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTEES Marisa Bragg Victoria Cappiello Slate Clauser David Graham Andrew Mann Ben Martin Adam Pursell Tyler Sheets Kacie Sienko 34 | INNOVISION MAGAZINE
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