INNOVISION Issue 37 2025-2026 Building Communities Through Entrepreneurship Customers, communication, and building and maintaining impactful relationships will allow an entrepreneur to cultivate a successful brand.
INNOVISION TEAM KU INNOVISION TEAM Ally Larese Editor Linnea Devenney Writer Paige Adams Designer James Burke Photographer
College of Business News From new faces to new achievements, see what's happening across the College of Business. 4 Fall Highlights Relive some of the memorable events, and activities that made the fall semester a success. 13 Fall 2026 Dean’s List Congratulations to the students who earned Dean's List honors for the Fall 2026 semester. 23 Spring 2025 Dean’s List Congratulations to the students who earned Dean's List honors for the Spring 2025 semester. 10 TABLE OF CONTENTS Spotlights Meet the students and alumni making an impact in the classroom, workplace, and beyond.17 Spring Highlights Highlights from a busy spring semester featuring events and student engagement. 26
DEAN CARROLL RETIREMENT After being named dean of KU’s College of Business in July 2017, Dr. Anne Carroll will retire from her role in summer 2026. Before joining KU, Dr. Carroll served as chair of the Finance and Economics Department at Rider University, where she also held the positions of interim dean and associate dean in the College of Business Administration. Since assuming the deanship at KU, Dr. Carroll has worked closely with faculty leaders to enhance the student experience and expand academic opportunities. Under her leadership, the College introduced three new undergraduate concentrations: human resource management, entrepreneurship, and supply chain management. These programs were developed in response to evolving employer demand and, in the case of entrepreneurship, to build on the strengths of the College’s Small Business Development Center. Another major accomplishment during her tenure was the transformation of the Master of Business Administration program into a stackable certificate model. Rather than following a traditional degree-only structure, the revised program allows students from any academic background to pursue an MBA or earn graduate-level business credentials incrementally through certificates. One of Dr. Carroll’s most meaningful contributions is still ahead. The College’s new online general business degree completion program, set to launch in fall 2026, is designed for nontraditional students seeking to complete a four-year degree while advancing their careers. Open to individuals with at least 60 college credits, the program will provide a flexible pathway for students returning to higher education. Throughout her time at KU, Dr. Carroll valued collaboration with faculty colleagues and fellow deans both within and beyond the university. She also gained extensive experience in accreditation processes, including AACSB, COSMA, and Middle States, and oversaw two successful AACSB reaccreditations for the Department of Business Administration. Although she is retiring from her role as a faculty member and administrator, Dr. Carroll says the people she will miss most are the students. “It is so wonderful to be surrounded by young people,” she said. “They make me hopeful for the future.” 4
THE BEST INVESTMENTS “Throughout Dr. Carroll's tenure, she demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing engagement and innovation, positioning the college to meet and exceed AACSB standards. Her commitment to continuous improvement, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and impactful business education has left a lasting imprint on the institution. Her legacy is reflected in stronger programs, enhanced accreditation standing, and a culture of excellence that will continue to shape future generations of business leaders.” -Dr. Gary Chao “It’s been a privilege to work alongside Dean Carroll and see firsthand how dedicated she has been to experiential learning. She has always been incredibly supportive. There truly was never a time she turned down a request. That openness and willingness to say “yes” created so many opportunities for students and colleagues alike, and it’s something that will be remembered. Her commitment to hands-on learning has left a lasting mark here, and it’s a big part of the legacy she leaves behind.” -Dr. Soojin Kim “Anne will truly be missed. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work for her. There have been so many adventures, and I’ve always loved hearing about her travels, but I have a feeling this next chapter will be her best one yet.” -Ally Larese “The PASBDC sits in a unique position as a semi-autonomous unit. Anne was great at insisting that work product and data analysis should not simply be an academic exercise, but rather something with purpose and that drives decisionmaking and change. She was a tireless advocate for linking our work back to the student success and Community/Civic Engagement strategic goals of the University, and instrumental at helping me navigate the peculiarities of working in an academic institution through a period of significant change. I remain grateful.” -Brian Kelly “When Anne became our Dean, we had been without a permanent Dean for a while. We had a bit of catching up to do her first year with AACSB accreditation. I appreciate her leadership, which positioned us to stay on track for a successful Continuous Improvement Review in 2020.” -Donna M. Steslow, JD “Anne has given us many unforgettable memories especially those involving cars and the occasional encounter with a ditch! But beyond the laughs, I truly wish her all the best in retirement. She has been a wonderful boss, friend, and source of support, and I know she’ll make the most of this exciting new chapter spending time with her grandson.” -Katie Bowen “They say retirement is about the journey, not the destination, but after 9 years of trekking from New Hope to Kutztown, I think you’ve had enough 'journey' to last a lifetime. By my math, you’ve spent about 270,000 miles staring at asphalt, which is basically driving to the moon and then doing a few victory laps around it. We’ve always admired your superhuman dedication, though I’m sure the deer of Bucks County are currently throwing a party knowing their most formidable highway rival is finally hanging up the keys. Thank you for proving that a 'commute' is really just a marathon with better scenery. Enjoy the much-deserved break from the driver's seat!” -Dr. Greg Kaufinger “It has been a privilege to work with Anne in the College of Business, and I appreciate her years of leadership and service to Kutztown University. I wish Anne happiness, good health, and continued success in the next chapter of her life.” -Dr. Chali Nondo “It has been a privilege to be part of the College of Business during your time as Dean, and you will be greatly missed. Wishing you all the best in this new chapter—may it be filled with happiness, good health, and well-deserved relaxation.” -Patty Braga LEAVE A LEGACY 5
ADVISORY COUNCILS Mr. Joshua Albright, Senior Vice Boenning & Scattergood, Inc. Northeastern Pennsylvania Acquisition, J.G. Wentworth Business, Kutztown University Consultant Workforce Investment Board Career Development Center Hamilton Lane President, PNC Bank Mr. Zack Moore, Real Estate Broker, Beckham & Pierce, Inc. Ms. Stephanie Pallante, Early Careers Recruiting Leader, Cigna Healthcare President, Fixed Income Trading, Ambassador Financial Group, Inc. Mr. Rushi Amin, Senior Investment Banker, Ms. Marisa Bishop, Regional Manager, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Ms. Anna Camcam, Director of Talent Dr. Anne Carroll, Dean, College of Mr. Corey Crapella, Founder & Principal Mr. Daniel Fogarty, COO, Berks County Mr. Chad Ganley, Assistant Director, Mr. Jenith Jacob, Investment Director, Ms. Eileen Kowalski, Senior Vice Advisory Services Practice, Herbein + Company, Inc. Mr. Peter Rittenhouse, President, Rittenhouse GAP Advisors Ms. Chelsey Roulier, Group Talent Acquisition Manager Enterprise Mobility Mr. Scott Woodrow, COO, Sustainable Waste Solutions Mr. Harry Ziff, Vice President of Corporate Logistics, East Penn Manufacturing Ex-officio from KU serving on the board in advisory capacity are: Dr. Gary Chao, Business Administration Chair, Kutztown University Ms. Kerri Gardi, Director, Career Development Center Dr. Soojin Kim, Sport Management Chair, Kutztown University Mr. Alex Ogeka, Executive Director, Kutztown University Foundation Mr. Randy Raifsnider, Partner in Charge— Ms. Maria Baylor, Director of Development, Kutztown University Foundation Ms. LeAnne Coulter, Independent Advisor, Strategic Advisory Council 6
ADVISORY COUNCIL The College of Business Advisory Council continues to play a vital role in connecting students with professionals, faculty, and alumni through engaging, career-focused events. This November, the Council hosted a networking event in the de Francesco Building lobby, inviting Golden Bears to step outside the classroom and into meaningful conversations with experienced members of the business community. 7
NEW FACULTY Dr. Yaojue Xu joined the Department of Business Administration this fall. She earned her Ph.D. in Economics with a specialization in Advanced Econometrics from the University of California, Riverside. Her research interests include econometrics, financial econometrics, time series analysis, highdimensional modeling, and forecasting methods. Her work focuses on developing and applying advanced statistical techniques to better understand complex economic and financial data, with applications in prediction, decision-making, and quantitative analysis. DR. YAOJUE XU Dr. Md Fourkan joined the Department of Business Administration this fall as an Associate Professor of Marketing. He earned his Ph.D. in Marketing from Kent State University. His research explores authenticity in consumer communications, examining how consumers perceive and respond to marketing messages, branding, and organizational narratives. His scholarly work has been published in respected academic journals, including the Journal of Business Venturing and the International Economic Journal. DR. MD FOURKAN 8
FACULTY RESEARCH Gregory Kaufinger delivered Spring 2026 Chambliss Research Lecture on March 10, presenting “Sparks that Start Fires: How Everyday Curiosity Ignites Academic Breakthroughs.” His talk traced how a question about an unused gift card led to research on earnings management with implications for transparency, governance, and business decision-making. The Chambliss Faculty Research Award, established in 2004 by Carlson R. Chambliss, honors exceptional research and scholarship and is awarded only once in a faculty member’s career. THE CHAMBLISS FACULTY RESEARCH AWARD Dr. Soojin Kim Earns International Best Paper Award Dr. Soojin Kim, chair of Kutztown University’s Sport Management department, has received the 2025 Best Paper Award from the International Journal of Business in Sports, Tourism & Hospitality Management (JBSM). Her award-winning article, “Understanding Gen Z’s Response to CSR Messaging: How Message Clarity and Perceived Motives Drive Engagement,” explores how organizations can better connect with younger audiences. Congratulations to Dr. Kim on this outstanding achievement! 2025 BEST PAPER AWARD FROM THE INTERNATIONAL JBSM 9
ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEAN’S LIST Spring 2025 ACCOUNTING Isabel Baughman Luke Braucher Adam Brocato Samuel Caban Maura Day Katelyn Delong Alyssa Desimone Colton DeTurk Zach Dietrich Gavin Ferguson Christian Fischer Ricardo Flowers Bethany Francis Zachary Hafer Daniel Hanley Jace Jennings Tyrus Kauffman Katie Lawless Jonathan Lomonaco Kayla Mackney Kevin McLaughlin Jaryd Meehl James Munster Joshua Norris Joshua Percely Kristin Rakoski Shannon Remolde Matthew Ritter Michael Rodriguez Aj Ruchlewicz Olivia Smelas Buddy Stephani Ashley Stone Jonathan Traynor Sydney Watts Kaitlyn Weiss Trinity Wentzel Steele Wrigley Yujie Yan Julie Avery Brooke Conaghan Tea Freeman Riley Hanzl Olivia Killough Jax Lucchese Morgan O'donnell Emily Sawicki Odette Soler FINANCE Rylan Adamski Vianna Adino Bueno Gabriel Argall Victor Astuto Adreanna Avalos Nathan Berger Nichola Boyer Makayla Bucher Jenna Cawley Thomas Chittenden Isabela de Nadai Will DeLay Riley Delp Oliver Diaz Rodriguez Julia Dolon Cole Dorshimer Vincent Duong Katelyn Economopoulos Layan Eid Madison Esterly Ryan Felgenhauer Andrew Fiorilla Michael Galasso Joseph Galle Brooke Graham Christopher Guallpa Joshua Heilman Sean Hess Logan Hostetter Zachary Houtz Dylan King Nik Koffer Makenzie Kramer Nathan Lawn Reed Lawrence Hannah McConnell Caroline McDonald Todd McGann Brenna McGowan Bryce McKinnon Simba Mekani Theo Miksa Nicholas Miller Sabrina Myers Mary Nangle Nate Neiswender Elias Norton-Rivera Dennison Pinto Morales Shelley Price Joey Quinter Damini Ramanujam Kumar Ryan Schernecke Alexander Sjogren Nick Skoutelas Amanda Slabicki Logan Sosik Aiden Soumas Serena Stauffer Jonathan Subhan Brendan Sweeney Caleb Tryninewski Rylee Van Gilson Darien Waltermyer 10
GENERAL BUSINESS HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MARKETING Liam Wettlaufer Nigel Pizzo Travis Rach Zachary Riddle Emma Wenger Alex Reed Emma Baldridge Ben Collison Adam Conklin Zach Delfiner Samantha Levey Alivia Miesowitz Amelia Moore Van Nguyen Weston Nolt Owen Porreca Henrique Rocha Ryan Rush Gabriela Sanchez Salvatore Scarlata Benjamin Selkregg Kyle Steele Henry Thomas Johnny Turchi Rocco Wack Maddie Walbert Sara Conenna Abigail Davidheiser Jacqui Fleischman Kassidy Hallman Grace Harrold Amanda Heck Abbie Heffner Tyler Kratz Anthony Kruper Taniyah Lawler Madeline Lobley Nicole Parker Cassie Rambo Danielle Skinner Julie Stockton Taylor Swartley Daniel Twaddell Destiny Abreu Sorangel Acosta Reyes Noelle Baxter Jessica Breidigan Makarios Butt Gino Campagna Bryan Correia Anna Dant Wesley Englebert Noah Gehringer Jake Gutkind Raisa Hoehn Katelyn Honadel Connor Hummer Jocelyn Jaworski Kyle Lantier Curtis Lasalle Dylan Lipp Calvin Munster Connor Murphy Laynee Nugent Aspen Ott Dylan Page Ty Race Madeline Raub Anisa Reinstrom Nicole Stout Daniela Tineo-Gomez Jeremy Wessner Luke Yocum Mary Younes Jad Baroudi Emma Blyler Gabriella Cardenas Anthony Chiango Kylie Christman Andrew Ciurleo Sophia Collins Olivia Cox Aidan Creitz Bridget Curtis Andrew Darlak Ashley Davenport Matthew Eskander Ryan Ferdock Tyler Gilfert Amanda Gravatt Alex Grohol Averi Hidalgo Devon Hrycko Isabella Ingrassia Joskar Javier-Miranda Mabula Kitula Annabelle Knese Mackenzie Kolb Tasi Kosmatos Paige Krajcic Reed Kremsky Rachael Lund Michario Madden Lexi McLanahan Luke Miller Alaina Moffitt Katherine Nolan Austin Pease Aidan Perriello Alexis Plesic Leslie Ramos Eva Robinson Omar Rodriguez Spencer Rose Aidan Ross Emma Semery Jacob Sopko Evalyn Stoner Katelyn Stuhldreher Cassandra Tipa-Bowman Jessica Traynor Maura Walker Jade Ware Owen Weaver Morgan Werley 11
SPORT MANAGEMENT SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT Mazen Ayash Joe Cavalcante Gabriel Derrickson Tyler Eckert Jeremy Feder Guy Frick Tyler Kies Michael Maslonka Michael Windsor Erick Acosta Seth Adams Ben Angstadt Andy Bates Andrew Batista Daniel Bennett Esther Bernstein Joline Bozzi Marisa Bragg Sarah Bronico Hudson Brown Victoria Cappiello Lucas Cherniak Slate Clauser Eli Cunningham Justin Diefenderfer Joseph Dzuiba Gianna Failla Richard Failla Hannah Ferris Hannah Fortuna Alyssa Galayda Jaden Garcia Nicholas Garofalo Sydney Gibbons Joshua Gibson Taylor Gurysh Rowan Hall Brian Harris Michael Heller Lily Jachowicz Robby Lloyd Andrew Mann Sophia Mark Jared Mikloski Ryan Neeb Judd Novak Jordyn Osner Peyton Parker Adam Pursell Kameron Roberts Megan Roth Tatum Rothermel Andrew Sampson Aidan Sanchez Kevin Schwartz Kirsten Seeger Morgan Slomkowski Carey Smith Brianna Stocklin Sammie Suhaka Saige Thibodeaux Carson Torchio Nicholas Varda Lexi Vecchiolli Abbey Waas Maddie Welsh Alexa Windish Peyton Woznicki Wyatt Younes 12
40 YEARS OF BUSINESS Celebrating Our Past, Welcoming Our Future The College of Business launched its 40th anniversary celebration with energy, connection, and pride this fall. Faculty and staff gathered outside the Rickenbach Learning Center on Thursday, September 4, to welcome students with a festive kickoff event featuring build-your-own tacos, baked goods, and time to connect with professors and classmates. The celebration continued through Homecoming, where alumni returned to campus to reconnect with the faculty and friends who helped shape their journeys. Dean Anne Carroll reflected on the College’s evolution, noting that while the College of Business was officially founded 40 years ago, business education at KU began even earlier. Honoring four decades of learning, leadership, and innovation, she shared her excitement for what the next milestone will bring. Reuniting with alumni while welcoming the next generation of business leaders made one thing clear. The foundation built over the past 40 years is stronger than ever, and the future is just getting started. 13
Career Day Connects Students with Industry Leaders The College of Business, in partnership with the KU Career Development Center, brought energy, insight, and opportunity to campus on Wednesday, October 8, during its annual Career Day. Across two panel sessions, students connected directly with industry professionals representing accounting, finance, management, supply chain, marketing, and even sports and entertainment. From assurance and financial planning to digital sales, procurement, logistics, and marketing strategy, panelists shared real-world insights, career advice, and industry trends shaping today’s business landscape. Following the panels, the momentum continued with a lively networking session in de Francesco. Students met employers and student organizations, received free professional headshots, polished their LinkedIn profiles, and even had the chance to be sketched by a career caricature artist, all while enjoying snacks, refreshments, prizes, and giveaways. Career Day wasn’t just an event; it was a launchpad. By bringing alumni and industry leaders back to campus, the College of Business continues to strengthen the bridge between classroom learning and career success. 14
Kutztown University hosted the 2025 Sustainability Summit on November 5, bringing together students, industry professionals, and community partners to highlight progress in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. The event opened with a check presentation recognizing the energy rebate from the Hawkinson Welcome Center renovation, underscoring the university’s ongoing commitment to sustainable campus operations. From there, the space quickly transformed into a hub of ideas and innovation. Attendees connected during a networking session while exploring student research posters focused on sustainable business solutions. Dean Anne Carroll welcomed guests and officially opened the program before students presented their work for further discussion and evaluation. The summit also featured keynote speaker Michael Gibson, past chair of the Energy & Environment Committee of the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. His presentation “From Campus to Corporation: Energy-Smart Strategies for Business Success,” emphasized practical ways businesses can integrate energy-smart strategies into their operations. Industry leaders—including representatives from Earth Forward, Clean Energy, and Clear Results—further reinforced the summit’s mission of connecting classroom learning with real-world sustainability leadership. 15
Kutztown University’s College of Business recently celebrated the creativity and entrepreneurial energy of its students at the 2025 Business Idea Competition, an annual showcase of innovation in action. On Wednesday, November 19th, six student finalists took the stage in the de Francesco Building, sharing their original business concepts with a panel of judges. Competing for cash prizes, participants brought forward an idea that reflected both ingenuity and real-world potential. Importantly, all students retained full ownership of their concepts, reinforcing the competition’s commitment to empowering student entrepreneurs. Taking home first place was Matt Ventura, a junior computer science major. His idea, a sport‑specific mobile app designed to connect baseball players who struggle to find consistent throwing partners outside of organized play. It uses geo-location to match players by skill level and availability, with features such as verified locations and in‑app chat. Earning second place, Ethan Gallardo, a junior data science major, for his cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for restaurants. It provides real‑time dashboards and integrates AI‑powered analytics to help managers optimize menus, forecast demand and improve staffing decisions. Third place was awarded to Zoe Tuttle, a senior majoring in Social Media Theory. Her project emphasizes accessible digital marketing support for small businesses, entrepreneurs and creators. The service model offers personalized social media strategy packets, ad management and educational tools to help clients strengthen and sustain their digital presence. Together, these student innovators exemplify the forward-thinking spirit that defines Kutztown University’s College of Business, where ideas don’t just begin, they grow. 16
Christopher Fischer ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Christopher Fischer is a Kutztown alumnus and Vice President of Sales at LeverX, a global technology company partnered with SAP. He works with customers and global teams to support software implementation, client relationships, and company growth. Fischer encourages current students to After graduating from Kutztown University pursue internships whenever possible. in 2012, Fischer worked briefly at an During college, he interned with the World insurance analytics company before Trade Center in Delaware, where he joining CityOnAmerica. LeverX acquired gained experience working with the company in 2019, leading to his international companies. Looking back, he current position. says he would have completed an internship every summer if he could do it Fischer originally majored in International again. Business before switching to Business Management and Marketing. He says his He also advises students to develop junior year helped him realize the consistent study habits and routines, importance of networking and building whether that means dedicating specific relationships with professors. “It was my time each week to coursework or junior year at Kutztown that I realized the preparing early for exams. importance of professors and networking Kutztown remains especially meaningful because professors look for students who to Fischer, not only because of the have potential, like coaches,” he said. education and experiences he gained Fischer credits professors, including the there, but also because it is where he met late Dr. Hoss, with helping guide his his wife. Years later, he still stays in touch career path and connect him with with several professors, reflecting the professional opportunities. lasting connections and strong community that continue to link Kutztown students, alumni, and faculty. 17
Haley Sullick INTERN SPOTLIGHT For senior Sport Management major Haley Sullick, summer 2025 was spent at full speed. As an intern at Pocono Raceway, she gained hands-on experience working alongside drivers and the public relations team, beginning just after finals in May and continuing through the summer until returning to campus in August. “I was able to do things that I didn’t expect as an intern,” Sullick shared. Much of her work focused on social media and marketing efforts aimed at increasing fan engagement and drawing audiences back to the raceway. Completing more than 350 hours for nine internship credits, Sullick immersed herself fully in the experience. Along the way, she saw significant personal growth. “I’ve grown in many ways,” she said. “My self-confidence and public speaking especially.” Despite strong competition for the role, she was selected as the sole intern, an accomplishment that reinforced her confidence and determination. Her internship clarified her career goals. “If you find the right internship, it’s so worth it. It makes you excited for the future.” One of her long-term ambitions is to help bring renewed attention to motorsports and reengage fans with the excitement of race day. Sullick also credits her coursework for preparing her to succeed, particularly applying marketing principles to enhance fan engagement. Looking back, she wishes she had pursued even more internships earlier in her college career. Whether paid or unpaid, she believes the experience can make all the difference on a résumé. With strong professional connections now in place, Sullick hopes to one day return to Pocono Raceway full-time, possibly joining a team’s PR or social media staff. For her, the checkered flag marks not an ending, but the start of a promising career. 18
Valerie Deneen Despite the success of running her business, Valerie Deneen’s desire to expand her leadership skills has led her to KU. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University, Valerie has returned to academia to pursue her MBA. During her undergrad, majoring in both biology and Spanish, Valerie discovered her passion through her oncampus jobs in the computer center. After graduation, she applied these skills at Saucon Technologies in software engineering before finding her claim to fame in a blend of arts and programming with a blog titled Inner Child Fun. The family blog offers parents affordable, step-by-step crafting instructions with common items, gaining traction using keyword optimization and post consistency. As the blog gained global traction, Valerie turned it into a business by hiring a team of contributing writers and appearing on morning talk shows. MBA Experience At KU, Valerie is pursuing her master’s in business administration and management. A fundamental course she took was advising and supporting students in higher education. While seemingly unrelated to her major, the skills transferred to how she has helped business owners at the SBDC. During her undergrad and now MBA, Valerie has prioritized networking and expanding her skillsets to incorporate as many new expertise as she can, combining them to provide clients with a unique service. As she reaches her graduation date of May 2026, Valerie has multiple businesses requesting her services. However, she’s not set on one path: “I’m trying to keep as many doors open for as long as possible.” MBA SPOTLIGHT SBDC Valerie is the market trends and strategic communications specialist at KU’s Small Business Development Center located in Old Main. Her specialty is the same optimization technique that made her blog successful, helping aspiring business owners find trending topics to capitalize on. Valerie also utilizes market data tailored to the businesses and guides them to become and stay successful in their field. “If you help one small business, you help a whole family. An entire town. An entire community. They’re crucial to the economy.” Valerie offers consultations through online webinars, workshops, or in-person sessions at the SBDC. 19
Andrew Batista STUDENT SPOTLIGHT As a senior Sport Management major, Andrew Batista has spent his college years taking advantage of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. Involved in numerous organizations on campus and at home, Andrew says sports have always been an important part of his life because “sports is what brings people together.” After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in community relations. Networking One lesson Andrew says he will carry with him from KU is the importance of networking. “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” he explained, crediting his professors and classes for helping him understand the value of building connections. Andrew was also the recipient of the Kutztown University Foundation Scholarship, established through an anonymous donor for a student in the business department. “I’m so thankful to the donors,” Andrew said. “I don’t know who they are, but thank you.” KUSBI Andrew became heavily involved in hands-on learning experiences through KUSBI, where he served as project manager and participated in neuromarketing research. The research focused on tracking eye movement, emotions, facial expressions, and brain activity while participants viewed social media content to determine what captured the most attention. Through competitions and research presentations, he traveled to Indiana University of Pennsylvania and even to Greece to present research internationally. Looking back, Andrew encourages other students to get involved and take advantage of opportunities. “My freshman and some of my sophomore year I was skating by,” he said. “I didn’t expect to go to IUP or Greece until I started to get involved and take those opportunities.” 20
Zhixi Zhang STUDENT SPOTLIGHT As a senior at KU, Zhixi Zhang has put every second toward building his career. With three majors in supply chain management, finance, and personal finance planning, and a minor in psychology, Zhixi is always on the move. Growing up, business was in his blood. After moving back to the United States from China at age five, Zhixi’s mother and father started two restaurants. When most kids would be going to their extracurriculars after school, Zhixi would be serving tables and running the cash register. Going to college for business was a natural progression. “There’s a drive that pushes me more than a normal student.” Internships Zhixi has held an internship for each of his majors, most recently being a financial advice intern at Vanguard for his personal financial planning major. “I saw a poster in deFran with ‘February Virtual Events,’ and I could just see the bright Vanguard logo.” Through his positive experience, he was able to land a position at the company post-grad, doing what he loves: helping others. This facet is a core part of why Zhixi pursued his psychology minor. He is passionate about staying self-aware of others and their circumstances, especially when it comes to advising them on their financial journey. This drive began as a child when he would help his mother with their family finances: “As a kid, I was very low income, and the American financial system was different from what my parents grew up with. I saw how our life could’ve been if we were financially free, and I can do that for other people now.” Vanguard is also interested in other student interns from KU as a result of being exceptionally pleased with Zhixi Community When he has free time, Zhixi loves being with others on campus. Whether it’s with Ultimate Frisbee, Ski and Snowboard Club, the Chinese Student and Scholars Association, or playing video games, the active student is still finding something to do. However, even with his packed schedule and all of the memories he’s made, it’s the people at KU who have made the largest impression. “All the hard stuff that I do, I have people with me, and I’m going to remember the impact they’ve had on my life. That’s something I can’t forget.” and the work he has contributed to the company. 21
Ricky Oundo MBA SPOTLIGHT Ricky Oundo has had a thriving academic career, starting in New York, where he studied within the CUNY school system, completing a two-year degree in lab technician sciences. After moving to Pennsylvania and completing his bachelor’s in the same major at Alvernia University, Ricky switched course, joining the military as a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear, known as CBRN, specialist. This military experience would lead Ricky to KU, his military benefits providing him the opportunity to pursue a master’s in a practical and necessary field: decision making and data analytics. Independent Study During his time at KU, Ricky has been able to branch out and expand upon his skillsets by working with his professors. “I didn’t start to love what I was doing until I started working with Dr. Wang.” Dr. Wang suggested that Ricky take up various coding programs, such as Python and SAS, both tools used for data visualization, data manipulation, and statistical modeling. By coding, Ricky is able to combine the lab skills he learned in his bachelor’s with the data visualization he is currently studying in his master’s. While the independent study is still ongoing, Ricky hopes to use the end product post-grad to find a job with this unique combination of skills. Ricky has been working on a capstone to close out his MBA, a project he has considered one of his most impactful experiences at KU. MBA Capstone Ricky and his team have acted as a consultant company consultants for a business in the real-world, providing solutions through research and presenting proposals of their findings. Through this process, Ricky has accommodated the business owner by shifting his own perspective to present ideal strategies and tailoring each new finding to the varying circumstances of the business owner’s problems. While Ricky came from a logistics and numbers angle, the project allowed him to network and form crucial connections with others. His group allowed the capstone to encapsulate the business experience of working in a team for a successful final product. 22
ENTREPRENEURSHIP FINANCE DEAN’S LIST Fall 2025 Justin Tanjutco Kaitlyn Macauley ACCOUNTING Adam Brocato Alan Ruchlewicz Alexis Bundra Alyssa Desimone Andrew LoChiatto Anna Stoddard Ashley Stone Brinley Trone Calvin Kampe Catherine Carroll Chase Meyers Christian Fischer Colton Moser Colton DeTurk Cynthia Smith Emma Baldridge Gavin Ferguson Gavin Bauman Hannah Keeney Jace Jennings James Munster Jaryd Meehl Jasmine Patackas Jonathan Traynor Jonathan Lomonaco Katelyn Delong Kathleen Lawless Kayla Mackney Kayla Cooper Kevin Twiford Kevin Mclaughlin Kristin Rakoski Lily-Ann Beadencup Logan Fisher Luke Braucher Marcello Pabon Melissa Diaz Villalobos Miranda Orlic Nadia Yemola Odette Soler Olivia Smelas Parker Kraus Reina Whalen Samuel Schaeffer Samuel Caban Sean Afflerbach Seth Ford Steele Wrigley Sydney Watts Tanner Benckini Tina Chen Trinity Wentzel William Stephani Yujie Yan Yusuf Amin Zachary Dietrich Christopher Burke Devuhn Singh Jax Lucchese Katrina Wolf Logan Godshall Morgan O'Donnell Sarah Loeffler Sean Carpenter Adreanna Avalos Aiden Soumas Alex Carr Alex Schrampf Amanawit Zeleke AndrewFrederick Aydan Cogan Benjamin Collison Benjamin Selkregg Brady Collins Braeden Schriffert Brendan Sweeney Brenna McGowan Brooke Graham Bryce McKinnon Caleb Tryninewski Caroline McDonald Christopher Guallpa Cole Dorshimer Connor Kerney Damini Ramanujam Kumar Darien Waltermyer Darnell Evans Dayanna Ramirez Dennison Pinto Morales Dylan Lipp Hannah Mcconnell Henry Thomas Isabela de Nadai Isabella Hopper Jacob Fredrick James Nichols Jenna Cawley Jenna Cheesman Joseph Galle Joseph Quinter Joseph Cook Joseph Earl Boyer Joshua Greenplate Joshua Heilman JoshuaSimonds Julia Dolon Kelan Boyer Khrystyna Berenda Kyle Shawaluk 23
GENERAL BUSINESS HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MARKETING Liam Wettlaufer Logan Hostetter Luke Schultz Mackenzie DelaRaba Madison Esterly Makayla Bucher Mary Nangle Michael Fair Nathanael Neiswender Nicholas Miller Nicholas Skoutelas Nikolas Koffer Raphael Hoareau Lebon Riley Delp Ryan Felgenhauer Ryan Kenneff Rylee Van Gilson Sameer Al-Billeh Sean Singleton Sean Barreto Shane Rosenberry Shenoha Peguero Syraj Ali Fazel Theodore Miksa Thomas Chittenden Todd Mcgann Vianna Adino Bueno William Dowling Zachary Houtz Colby Mooney Henrique Rocha Kieran Aponte Nigel Pizzo Travis Rach William Alexiou Aiden Lipsky Andrew Szeplaki Ashley Rodriguez-Taveras Ava Hissong Averi August Carly Little Colby Chadwick Dominic Innamorati Evan Myers Gaige Guers Hannah Giampa Jacarlis Adolfo Jared Heck Jeremy McKinney Joaquin Sierra Kaitlyn Cunningham Karl Reed Kathryn Randa Kaylee Zellers Kimberly Hendry Laiana Carvalho Luis Gustavo Lopes Matthew Halulakos Matthew Di Eduardo Maximus Ford Miray Metri Mitchell Soldato Nikaiya Kranitz Paige Bittenbender Peyton Parker Salvatore Scarlata Samir Ebram Selena Howard Tanner Zawada Weston Nolt Yasmeen Fahim Zachary Delfiner Abbie Heffner Amanda Heck Ashley Montanez Chloe Spencer Christine Miller Daniel Twaddell Danielle Skinner Dauda Conde Kassidy Hallman Marissa Rice Nicole Parker Rachelle Cohen Sara Conenna Aaron Fox Andrew Coates Anisa Reinstrom Asherpaul Putt Caitlin R Zinn Calvin Munster Curtis Lasalle Dominick Interrante Dylan Page Erin Weber Jacob Gutkind Jessica Breidigan Josiah Slater Katelyn Honadel Kyle Lantier Laynee Nugent Matthew Lore Omar Al-Laty Omari Banks Sorangel Acosta Reyes Taylor Vaccaro Ty Kephart Wesley Englebert Aidan Creitz Aidan Ross Alaina Moffitt Alexander Grohol Alexander Bryant Alexander Sipos Alexis Plesic Amelia Moore Andrew Darlak Andrew Macellaro Anna Wanamaker Brady Hubbard Cassandra Tipa-Bowman Celina Ruddell Daniel Schraeder Devon Hrycko Emma O'Neill 24
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SPORT MANAGEMENT Ethan York Evalyn Stoner Gabriella Cardenas Gretta Degerolamo Hannah Benderoth Jessica Traynor Jordan Seward Joshua Pacheco Kameryn Solomon Kevin Givone Laura Mustafa Persia Leslie Ramos Lily Maniscalco Logan Hedgelon Logan Hollinger Lucas Albright Lucy Petrille Luke Miller Madigan Daugherty Madison Miller Maggie May Perfect Maiah Mei McGowan Matthew Eskander Matthew Ditzler Maura Day Maura Walker Maura Fleming Mayven Small Michario Madden Olivia Osborne Olivia Cox Olivia Luciano Olivia Reinford Owen Weaver Paige Koller Rachael Lund Reily Mcgough Ryan Rush Scott Hirsh Stella Higgins Tasi Kosmatos Thao Vy Ha Troi Minor Tyler Gilfert Xavier Carnegie Cesar Canales Gabriel Derrickson Jasmine Quier Jason Ciurleo Marko Maricic Mazen Ayash Miguel Diaz-Rivera Rand Matta Ricardo Flowers Robert Lubin Tyler Eckert Zachary Miller Zachary Rizzo Zhixi Zhang Abigail Waas Alyssa Galayda Andre Reames Andrew Bates Andrew Batista Auria Greto Bella Quinn Benjamin Angstadt Bianca Falcone Blake Rogers Carson Torchio Casey Huie Dalton Maletsky Dominic Lebo Dylan Keating Eric Powers Erick Acosta Ethen Miller Francis Fazio Gaven Gevaudan Mollenkof Gavin Toman Gavin Kerper Haley Sullick Hannah Fortuna Hudson Brown Jacob Santoro Jacob Zamot Jaden Garcia Jason Chimics Jevin Fritz Joel Bonner Joline Bozzi Jordyn Osner Justin Diefenderfer Kirsten Seeger Luke Szabo Madison Welsh Marisa Bragg Megan Osilka Megan Roth Morgan Slomkowski Morgan Kocher Nicholas Varda Noah Cunningham Peyton Woznicki Rachel Galasso Richard Failla Robert Lloyd Rowan Hall Samantha Suhaka Sarah Bronico Sawyer Carlton Sean Malfara Shannon Mcneice Sydney Gibbons Tate Clarke Tatum Rothermel Taylor Gurysh Timothy Kelso Zachary Bender Zachery Unger 25
Entrepreneurship Week Kutztown University’s 2026 Entrepreneurship Week is a vibrant celebration of innovation, leadership, and the entrepreneurial spirit. Bringing together students, alumni, faculty, business professionals, and community leaders, the week features engaging panels, networking opportunities, and conversations designed to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and changemakers. This year’s program highlights the resilience of student founders, the leadership of women entrepreneurs, and the impact of community-driven ventures, while exploring how innovation continues to shape the future of business and society. Through realworld insights and meaningful connections, Entrepreneurship Week encourages attendees to think creatively, embrace new opportunities, and turn ideas into action. Whether launching a first venture or growing an existing one, participants will leave empowered with new perspectives, inspiration, and valuable connections. 26
The Future of Business: Innovation, Technology, & rowth Technology & AI On Monday, April 20th, the Technology and AI Panel launched the start of KU’s Entrepreneurship Week. Hosted by Munish Munagala, Kryn McClain, Xavier ShiveSanchez, and Hayden Craddolph, the panel focused on how AI is impacting and reshaping the world for today’s entrepreneurs. With the panelists coming from platforms harnessing the power of AI in the workforce, the discussion focused on informing attendees on how they could use the tools in their own businesses– small or growing larger–to enhance productivity and engagement for their customers while staying mindful of sustainability efforts. Innovation & Venture Growth Monday’s panels continued with the theme of entrepreneurs and expansion with the Innovation and Venture Growth Panel. Moderated by Dr. Gregory Kaufinger, the panelists included Katherine Tohanczyn, Michele Verviled, Mark Rentschler, and KU alumnus Scott Woodrow. Scott graduated from KU in 1988 with a degree in management and marketing. His message to attendees focused on his transitions in business from working in various forms of waste management to his current role in the baking industry. The KU graduate explained his decision for the shift simply: “A business is worth the cash flow it generates.” Throughout the panel, Katherine, Michele, Mark, and Scott fielded questions on business capital and financing options when purchasing a business. The panelists also addressed the risk involved in these purchases, including taking on loans and liabilities. However, even when taking risks, it’s crucial not to give up if something goes wrong. According to Scott, “Sometimes we fail. Be innovative. Be a problem solver. Pick yourself back up again.” 27
Building Communities Through Entrepreneurship Women Entrepreneurs Starting off the last day of Entrepreneurship Week, the Women Entrepreneurs Panel highlighted successful women who conquered adversity to strive in their fields. Mandy Siess, Virginia Ellen, Katie Kupstas, and Becca Spahr each used their experiences running their own operations to speak with audience members about the various strategies they’ve found useful in continuing to succeed. Mandy shared insight working in the food and beverage industry with her business, Let’s Go Coffee & Bakery. She emphasized the importance of teamwork and creating and cementing a foundation in the community, which was a common theme among the panelists. Virginia, Katie, and Becca all communicated that customers, communication, and building and maintaining impactful relationships will allow an entrepreneur to cultivate a successful brand. As for the other panelists, Virginia co-founded Hangout for Art with her mother, a former KU graduate. Katie assists fellow entrepreneurs with her Innovators Club for Women. Finally, Becca is a Marine Corps veteran and social wellness coach with Spahr Impact Group, aiding business owners with forming connections for their working relationships. Societal Impact Rounding out the week, the Societal Impacts Panel showcased individuals taking a bootson-the-ground approach to improving their community and the members inside of it. Panelists included Larry Berringer, Kryn McClain, Selda Simmons, and Violet Emory, all of whom highlighted helping the individual and the inequalities affecting their lives, including access to housing and education. As a local leader in Reading and Berks County, Selda focused on getting individuals the mental health access they need. This support includes providing marginalized youth with resources in the justice system, if necessary. Over the course of the panel, she encouraged audience members to use their own power and take action to help the people around them. “It’s never too late to follow your dreams, especially if it means being able to help others.” 28
Student Startups Unleashed Student Entrepreneurs Kicking off panels on Tuesday, Rachael Lund, Joy Rivera, and Aaron Beete spoke about their lives as students running their own businesses and the challenges of balancing academics congruently with work. Rachael is a sophomore in marketing and strategic communication. She is the founder and CEO of KU Sales and Operations. Joy is a senior in communication and design and runs her business on TikTok under the name @joyswriting, where she creates coloring books, and is currently writing a novel. Aaron is a freshman who does car detailing and freelance photography. With a panel moderated by Professor Donna Steslow, attendees were encouraged to ask questions while the panelists spoke about the evolution of their business, how they managed their time, where they see the business progressing, and what resources they utilize on campus and social media. Joy emphasized her journey using TikTok and the importance of community on the internet. Creating her coloring books and now writing her debut novel was the first time she had ever self published, and she wouldn’t have been able to do so without reaching out to another TikToker named Hailey Brown, who had found success in the field already: Sometimes you have to take a shot and reach out to people online. You never know who will answer that email.” 29
National High School Sport Business Case Competition Kutztown University recently welcomed talented high school students from across the region for its annual National High School Sport Business Case Competition— an engaging, hands-on event that showcases the future of the sport industry. The competition challenges students in grades 9–12 to tackle real-world sport business scenarios, developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and presentation skills. This year’s event, held April 23–24, featured a case provided by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, giving students valuable insight into professional sport operations. The experience began the evening before competition rounds with a memorable opening event at Coca-Cola Park. Students participated in a stadium tour, connected with peers and professionals, and enjoyed watching an IronPigs game —an immersive introduction to the sport business environment and a highlight of the event. The following day, five high schools competed in a fastpaced case competition, bringing energy, creativity, and professionalism to their presentations. A special congratulations goes to North Penn High School for earning first place and rising to the top of a strong field of competitors. While only one team claimed the top prize, all participating students demonstrated impressive dedication and talent. Events like this reinforce Kutztown University’s commitment to experiential learning and to preparing the next generation of sport business leaders. The future of the sport industry is bright — and it’s clear these students are ready to lead it. 30
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